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16h handlebars

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hi can anyone tell me the length of wd 16h norton handlebars thanks pete

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How do you know what the width is or was or was supposed to be?

I would think that over the years the width could have changed many times as the factory would use up what they had on hand???

Any literature anywhere showing what the width was supposed to be?

Mike

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Richard is always right on such questions.  They made so many identical (almost) 16H bikes in that period that the idea that they used up old stock (or "what they had in hand") would be impossible.  Measure one or two, and that's enough...

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I can make mistakes or jump to conclusions however much I might try not to but the same part number -  3214 was used for the 1" bars from 1936 to 1944 and the 1944/45 7/8" bars show the same form in photographs.  Until quite recently, these bars regularly turned up NOS in amongst the ex-WD spare parts hoards.

I have two pairs of original bars here (with the small tapped holes for the pre / early-war dipswitch) and have also had a Cornucopia copy which was identical in form and width so they must have come to the same conclusion.

The WD16H bars are actually quite distinctive...I couldn't mix them up with any of the other WD bikes.

During wartime, the factories were monitored on steel and other material quantities...any change of width could have caused a conflict of levers, required different cable lengths etc. and risked rejection by the resident Ministry of Supply inspector.  Spares interchangeablity was more important than design improvements.

 

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Hi I need to tighten up the Handlebar as it wont tighten any more, any suggestions or parts appreciated

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Shim the clamp with strip from a beer can. If not available, a soda can will do. Works on worn springer fork bushes as well.

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Beer cans and soda cans are of quite thin aluminum material.

Try a soup can or a bean can for some thicker steel shims.

Mike

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Girder or Roadholder forks ? If girders, are the clamps ali or steel ? Are they damaged ? Are the bars undersized ?

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Hi all,

   You may be aware already but 22mm tube is 0.008" (8 thou) smaller than 7/8" tube. Not much but it might be enough to be a problem as it will only clamp where it touches, ie - not all around.

 


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