If plastic, definitely get the fork brace...you will need two people and a solid wall to butt the front tire up against and use Glider's procedure for making sure both fork sliders are centered in their stanchions, triple tree and steerer assy are in line, a nice solid wall to push against to compress forks (without using your brakes as many models have only one caliper and disc brake assy) in the self help section.
If you have any question about the need, go out to your bike with the steering locked and to the left. Use your palm and push against the wheel and then slap it a few times, that give changes the fork geometry between the left and right sliders and the twang is due to the long support line between the axle and the triple clamp (plenty of flex when cornering hard).
You can use your knee to try to fold the fork even further, but don't push too hard! Get that fork brace and install it properly centered over your fork and stanchions and you will be happy, especially if you use a cutout "flexy" fender and bracket assembly.