Suggestions and opinions presented in "Tech Tips" are provided for the benefit of clubmembers and guests. If you're not completely comfortable with performing your own mechanicing please hire a qualified shop or independent mechanic. Bob Cox/Custom Classic Cycles
and the NTNOA are not responsible for accidents, property damage, injury or fatalities resulting from any information contained in "Tech Tips." • Unless otherwise stated, all graphics, photos, illustrations and copy in "Tech Tips" are the exclusive property of Bob Cox/Custom Classic Cycles • Copyright © 2016
Where's that dang little red thingamajig?
The third TT installment will begin a series to include
at
least one homemade tool. While made for
Norton Commandos, they often have application to other Brit
bikes. I don’t have a machine
shop so other than an
oxyacetylene torch
these are made with bench top
drill press, vice and grinder; files; Dremel, and
other
standard fare shop tools. |
Norton Roadholder forks are famous for superior handling in their
time
but not the easiest to maintain regarding
fork oil level. So you
sure don’t want to lose it because
of a leaky bottom dampener washer
- the result of improper tightening of the outside bolt.
This
wrench
solves this by allowing you to
grip the two flats on the recessed
top
collar
that's already screwed into the dampener
tube top
while you tighten the bolt from underneath.
Begin by purchasing a cheap 1/2” wrench with at least one
open end.
The bends must be done with oxyacetylene to create
a concentrated “cherry” of the metal in the two areas to be bent.
The bend at the open end is sharper and should start about 1/8th from
the flat and to an angle of 90 degrees. The second bend is at
least 1.5 inches up from the open wrench end center-to-center. This bend
is more gradual and ends up at about 100 degrees. I prefer
to let the tool cool down slowly versus quenching. I also use my
smallest oxy welding tip and concentrate the heat only in the bend areas.
$10 Ace Hardware wrench and a little oxyacetylene make nice mix
Other than in Chip Foose’s cool design for WD-40
cans, those red plastic extension tubes are always
falling out and getting lost. Yeah tape works okay
but leaves sticky residue and rubber bands quickly deteriorate
so good ole zip ties to the rescue...
1) Attach zip tie securely to can and cut off extra (or not)
2) Insert extension tube in “v” slot under tie head
3) Scoot tube over so tie holds it securely |
Fiber internal
washer
and steel
external washer
not shown in
illustration
If you don’t have an
oxyacytelene torch, your local welder can do this for you in short order. DIY total cost including donor wrench about 15 bucks. |
