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commando front wheel

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Hi all

Could anbody tell me if the front wheel on my comando Mk2a should run in the center of the fork legs . Mine runs 1/4 inch to the left. The off set of the wheel hub is 1/2 an inch from the brake flange to the rim  which  is correct. But the wheel still runs to the left . Any help will be help will be appreciated

Thanks Les

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One should start with the assumption that center is right. Its not unknown however that Nortons handling has been improved by moving the rims over towards the side of the bike that is heavier. The one most well known being Lawton and Wilsons 650 ss  Thruxton bike. If after getting it center the bike does not like LH bends ,then you will be of the same opinion as Mike Hailwood!.

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..But apart from hub centre steered bikes, the centreline of the front wheel should be exactly in line with the centreline of the steering head on any bike, else handling will (as alluded to by Robert) get interesting.

Easy on a Dommie - you just remove the steering damper rod.

Regards, George. 

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The problem is probably linked to the disc side spokes being nearly vertical, as soon as you put any tension on the non disc side spokes the rim moves to the left. There is a service bulletin telling you to stand on the partially tried wheel assembly to try and put a bend on the spokes at the hub to attempt to correct this.

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John: Can you post that "service bulletin" of which you mentioned?

Thanks,

Mike

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Will try and find it, hopefully have it somewhere, had to laugh when I first read it.

One source

http://vintagebikemagazine.com/technical-articles/lacing-norton-front-disc-rim-06-1951/

Brian Slark, Norton Service Manager claimed the wheel builders at the factory would put the disc side of the hub on the floor and stand on the edge of the rim. They did this to get the rim as far over to the disc side as they could.

Note only use the write up for Central Wheel rims, these have a 3-1 dimple pattern and not the 1-1 of the original OEM rims. One reason not to use Central Wheel for restorations as they do lots of these fudges.

Second source is Service Release No 81 Disc brake wheel spokes

Page 87 in this PDF

https://www.nortonownersclub.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/Norton%20Commando%20Service%20Sheets%20%28indexed%29.pdf

3) As shown in the illustration below, set the left hand side inboard spokes straight (shaded heavily) by tapping the bowed portion of the spokes with a @b. (.225Kg) hammer and drift 3" (76.2mm) from the centre of the spoke head.

 


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