N15 Steering head stem

Monaro · Mar 3, 2015

Does anyone know if the steering stem head length on the 1966 N15 is the same as a Atlas? I want to fit 23" Atlas fork legs with chrome external springs but not sure of the distance between the top and lower yorks between the 2 models.
Cheers,
Monaro

Rohan · Mar 3, 2015

Monaro said:
I want to fit 23" Atlas fork legs

Can't help with the steering stem bizzo, but can't help commenting that Atlas fork legs wouldn't normally be 23",
they should be short roadholder 21.x" long.

??

BillT · Mar 3, 2015

Distance between yokes should be the same, or within a fraction of an inch, as the N15/G15 used the Atlas headlight ears.

So, you want to go with fork tubes midway between Atlas and N15? This will require cutting down the center stand extensions and possibly re-working the side stand. The N15 sits a bit higher than the bike it is based on - the G15/45 - so the center stand has what looks like homemade extensions welded on the feet, almost 2" long.

The original G15/45 used teledraulic forks
the first run or two of the Norton-engined scramblers used long roadholders with teledraulic damper assembly (the G15 'N')
all G15/N15/33 bikes after that used long roadholders (about 25-1/2")

Monaro · Mar 4, 2015

OK Rohand, I can get atlas forks at 23" long.,
Thanks Billt, wont be using center stand will have to wait until put together to measure side stand, may go for bolted on unit.
thanks for your help,
Cheers,
Monaro.

Monaro · Mar 14, 2015

Roland to clarify I am looking to install long roadholder forks (at 23 1/4") on my project.
Cheers, Monaro.

Rohan · Mar 14, 2015

No Rolands here that we can spot ?

Didn't the P11 etc have 25" long long roadholders ?
Was the N15CS the same ??

Monaro · Mar 14, 2015

Yes, N15CS had 25" long forks.
Cheers,
Paul

BillT · Mar 15, 2015

Rohan said:
No Rolands here that we can spot ?

Didn't the P11 etc have 25" long long roadholders ?
Was the N15CS the same ??

P11 series had Teledraulics, from P11 through Ranger :wink:

Rohan · Mar 15, 2015

BillT said:
P11 series had Teledraulics, from P11 through Ranger

So what does the N15CS have ?

BillT · Mar 15, 2015

Rohan said:
BillT said:

P11 series had Teledraulics, from P11 through Ranger

Click to expand...

So what does the N15CS have ?

The original N15 desert racers (G15CS/107388 N to G15CS/107588 N) had long Roadholders with Teledraulic damper assemblies and external springs.

All the subsequent N15/G15/33 variants had Roadholders with Norton internals. Not sure when the switch to internal springs happened, but I believe by 1965 if not after the initial batch.

At least as far as I know. Somebody like Tony Curzon should be able to give a detailed breakdown of what changes happened when.

My Ranger is straight AMC front end - teledraulic forks with external springs, AMC yokes, AMC 'Interim' front hub with 7" SLS brake and AMC headstock races with 3/16" bearings, AMC headlight ears, AMC steering damper with logo machined off the knob

My G15CS is straight Norton for the front end - long roadholders with internal springs, Atlas-style yokes (with steering lock), Norton races with 1/4" bearings, Atlas headlight ears, Norton hub with 8" SLS brake.

If an N15/G15 has a steering damper on it, it would be the Norton-style tall wingnut, since the handlebar clamps to the top of the top yoke with 2 'U' clamps and 4 allen screws

P11s used the AMC damper as the handlebar clamps to the rear of the top yoke with a single bracket and 3 allen screws