Flat tanker Druid fork steering stops.

Previously stephen_crowder wrote:

I have recently acquired a 1924 Norton Model 18 with Druid forks.

My other model 18 has a combined steering damper and steering stops fitted through the Webb fork steering stem.

With handlebars fitted through the Druid stem on this bike how should steering stops prevent the forks crashing into the tank? ( There are currently no steering stops)

Ive looked extensively at pictures and canât find how it would have been done.

Any help would be really appreciated.

Steve

Any Flat tank guys out there know how this should be achieved?

Previously David Cooper wrote:

For what it's worth - I've looked through my stock of Banbury Run Norton pictures. The late 1920's ones with Webb type forks have adjustable positive stops fitted on the lug between the head tube and the main front down tube. But the earlier Druid type don't have the suitable lug. It does look as though on full lock the lower link spindle would turn just below the leading edge of the tank. Just a guess - but maybe the forks won't actually hit the tank anyway? Designs were anyway advancing fast at that time. Maybe nobody had thought of it?!

I think I've attached a photo of the three generations. Might help?

As Iain says - there are dozens (hundreds?) of pics on Vintagenorton site.

Thanks David

The forks on this bike do hit the tank well before the lower fork yoke hits the frame.

Ive looked on vintage norton site extensively and as yet no clue.

I could revert to a steering damper and stops setup as per my slightly later bike but it would not be authentic to do so.

The late 20s Webb forks had a similar setup to the 30s bikes with a plate and stops anchored underneath the bottom yoke to just above the front engine mount encorporating the steering damper friction disc.

Anyone with a complete early Druid fork bike will perhaps know??

Previously stephen_crowder wrote:

Previously David Cooper wrote:

For what it's worth - I've looked through my stock of Banbury Run Norton pictures. The late 1920's ones with Webb type forks have adjustable positive stops fitted on the lug between the head tube and the main front down tube. But the earlier Druid type don't have the suitable lug. It does look as though on full lock the lower link spindle would turn just below the leading edge of the tank. Just a guess - but maybe the forks won't actually hit the tank anyway? Designs were anyway advancing fast at that time. Maybe nobody had thought of it?!

I think I've attached a photo of the three generations. Might help?

As Iain says - there are dozens (hundreds?) of pics on Vintagenorton site.

Thanks David

The forks on this bike do hit the tank well before the lower fork yoke hits the frame.

Ive looked on vintage norton site extensively and as yet no clue.

I could revert to a steering damper and stops setup as per my slightly later bike but it would not be authentic to do so.

The late 20s Webb forks had a similar setup to the 30s bikes with a plate and stops anchored underneath the bottom yoke to just above the front engine mount encorporating the steering damper friction disc.

Anyone with a complete early Druid fork bike will perhaps know??

Just seen a 16h today with a bracket and rubber stops arrangement mounted on the front sidecar mount lug.

This does not look right but anyone with other thoughts?

Previously alan_elstob wrote:

My understanding is that the earlier machines had no provision for steering stops. My â24 model 18 certainly does not have them.

What in this case have you done to prevent the forks and tank coming into contact with each other?

steve

Previously stephen_crowder wrote:

Previously alan_elstob wrote:

My understanding is that the earlier machines had no provision for steering stops. My â24 model 18 certainly does not have them.

What in this case have you done to prevent the forks and tank coming into contact with each other?

steve

Anyone any further ideas?

If I leave as is the forks will hit the tank and I can not believe this is how it should be.

I must be missing something?

steve

It's not the bars that come into contact with the tank, it's the rear blade section of the Druid forks. I will try to look at a few bikes in the flesh to compare. Thanks for the replies.