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Roadholder forks

Hi All,

I have the steering head bearings in place now I want to pull up the legs with the large chrome nuts that have a small threaded bit in the centre that are the same size as damper rod, what I am not sure about is the link up with this, because the damper rod does'nt turn its hard to see what you should do, I did'nt take them apart in the 80's a mate did.

Hope you can help, many thanks Jim

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The damper rod screws into the large chrome nut and is locked in place by a nut on the damper rod. The damper rod should be free to turn as well as move up and down. Something wrong if it dosen't.

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Previously wrote:

The damper rod screws into the large chrome nut and is locked in place by a nut on the damper rod. The damper rod should be free to turn as well as move up and down. Something wrong if it dosen't.

Thanks Simon, Thats exactly what I thought, no mention of this in Haynes manual. Cheers

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There is a mention in the Haynes manual but it's somewhat obtuse. "Follow the dismantling procedure in reverse.". Unfortunately the "dismantling procedure" is not written very clearly. Obviously with any classic bike the risk these days is that it was not correctly rebuilt by a previous owner anyway.

The Haynes manual has a number of traps for those unfamiliar with Nortons. Regrettably I can't remember what they are. Using the Norton Maintenance Manual and Instruction Book, in conjunction with a correct parts list, as well as the Haynes should help.

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Good point, never assume anything was built correctly, even by the factory. Unfortunately the Norton (Commando) workshop manual contains mistakes too re forks operating diagram on full extension. The hydraulic lock between the bushes never occurs as the damper rod valve makes contact with the damper tube cap first. Longer top bushes, or pressed in extensions, are required to blank off holes in stanchions and create a hydraulic lock before the damper rod hits the damper tube. Next mod I'm doing to my forks over the week end.

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Previously wrote:

The damper rod screws into the large chrome nut and is locked in place by a nut on the damper rod. The damper rod should be free to turn as well as move up and down. Something wrong if it dosen't.

Hi Simon,

I wondered if you could tell me if the speedometer is correct for 1960's machine, it is a Smiths 1004 chronometer SC 3305/04 on face & has W04 on the back, I ask because this & bracket are not suited so I wonder which is right, cant post a picture it wont let me.

Many thanks Jim

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Sorry Jim, I wouldn't know for sure even if I was to see a picture. Somebody with knowledge of speedo's and your bike would be of more help.

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The speedo depends if the bike is as follows:

My parts list for '61 and '62 Models shows two different speedometers depending on model:

pn19364 120mph for Models 50, ES2, 88, 99(standard and D/L)

pn23375 150mph for Model 650 std and D/L

My '61 Model 50 has a 120mphSmiths type S3303/17 1548

150mph types will bea differentnumber.

Hope this helps

Mike

 


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