Hey Dan,
I just did the same thing, didn't want to pay $165 for a kit. I just did the top tube reinforcements, like you I am not dragracing or anything.
I used some 1/8" plate steel for the triangualr reinforcement and some mild tube steel for the two short braces. It was probably thicker than the steel the frame is made off, haha.
It was pretty easy to fab up the braces and it came out looking real clean (the only tools I used were a 4"grinder and a dremel). Getting the right contour in the round tubing and getting left and right to match is the hardest part.
Here's a pic
As for the results. Before the bracing was put in I could push apart the top tube and a side tube by hand. Now the backbone is solid. As far as riding goes, yes, I THINK it feels a bit firmer in corners BUT I also reversed the front forks, dropped the front end another half inch and run different shocks so too many changes at once to contribute everything to one change. Bottom line is it won't hurt, it's cheap (especially if you do your own welding) and most importantly NOW is the time since you're down to the bare frame.
Hope this helps...
Post edited by: dutchz, at: 2006/03/26 15:08