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Are these short roadholders?

Hi there, a friend asked me if I knew what these forks are and as a multiple commando owner they looked familiar and I wondered if they were from something lightweight like an Electra.

I wonder if someone would kindly advise what they might be. If they are Norton, I will probably list them in the classifieds here as I presume they might have a value and be of interest to someone.

For info, they truly are a Barn (Garage) Find, so it can still happen!

many thanks, Terry

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Looking at the top yoke and size of the hole for the fork stem (which is missing), I would say long roadholders, but the measurements are here: https://www.nortonownersclub.org/support/technical-support-common/roadholder-forks

The main difference between short and long roadholders is the overall length which is varied by the length of the stanchions. The sliders have pretty much the same dimensions although the design of mudguard mountings and seal retainers changed over the years and models.the distance between the sliders also changed from 7” to 7 3/8. They are pretty much interchangeable although matching the shrouds can be a problem.

I would add that the 350 and 400 lightweights had the same short roadholders as their bigger heavyweight brothers. Although I’m not sure about spring rates.

I think the value is in the yokes, shrouds and sliders provided they are not internally worn too much or corroded and if the pinch bolt at the bottom isn’t cracked. New stanchions are cheap so old rusty ones aren’t really very valuable! 

dan 

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Terry,

These are long roadholders, the same as on my 1955 ES2.  The handlebar clamps, lower shroud with two small screws and the bottom yoke are all correct for Long Roadholder forks.

The bottom yoke has the stem missing and I've never seen them separated before.  The most important thing is the clamp on the bottom of the right hand fork leg as they're often over-tightened and crack the aluminium.

They'll be of use to someone in the club.

Philip

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As it happens I have been looking for some Roadholder forks to graft onto my Jubilee. The standard forks are not much more than springs in a tin! 

I'll look out for the 'classified'

Dennis

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hello  now these are 1953 on roadholder longs  and a nice pair of legs  now hard to find  , yours  anna j

 


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