Roadholder / Front Brake ?

Hi, Today I was doing some jobs on my Norton. I have added original Norton Roadholder fork shrouds that I have modified the headlight bracket parts on so I can fit a front racing number plate. Must admit they look great though have a slight fitment issue but will see if I can sort that before asking for online help . I also fitted 30" bars as it seems this length would be correct for my bike. This has allowed me to sort of roll them back into a much more racing stance and with the addition of a original vintage rear bump seat is looking great. I do though have a front brake cable issue in that its a bit short. Before I order a new one I noticed that the bottom fork yoke has a small screw threaded hole on the hand brake side. I am thinking as the hole looks to be the same size as the threaded adjustment on a standard brake cable that maybe the cable should run through this and then to the brake so you can adjust at this point ? Is that correct or is this hole for something else ? Must admit if I could run cable through this hole it would keep cable nice and neat but will have to get either a special cable designed for it with a screw thread half way up or a standard cable but with only one end on so I can just thread it through and then add a clamp end fitting or solder it on after I have put it through the hole. Hope someone can advise me on this ? Thanks, Jon

I am the original owner of my Atlas. I have a threaded bolt hole where you describe, but my brake cable does not pass thru it. The cable is neatly contained by a "U" clamp welded on the front mudguard.

I have no idea what that threaded hole may have been used for.

Slick

texasSlick said:

I am the original owner of my Atlas. I have a threaded bolt hole where you describe, but my brake cable does not pass thru it. The cable is neatly contained by a "U" clamp welded on the front mudguard.

I have no idea what that threaded hole may have been used for.

Slick

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My bike being older does not have anything to hold the cable but as you can see this hole does seem to be brake adjustment size. Just looking at old lower yoke on Google and it seems original ones do have this hole. I am thinking they just left it in even when not needed anymore like on your Atlas ? It must of been there for something and I have a feeling it is for the brake cable on early Roadholder bikes ?

https://www.tga.co.uk/products/manx-steel-bottom-yoke/

This small hole in one of these photos is what I am on about

Knewbnorton said:

https://www.tga.co.uk/products/manx-steel-bottom-yoke/

This small hole in one of these photos is what I am on about

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That is the hole I commented on. In fact, mine has a bolt and nut filling that hole .....??? I am sure I never added that bolt, but my memory is not unfailable.

Your assessment that the hole was used in conjunction with the brake cable may be correct. It does lead to the problem of fitting the cable thru an adjuster, leaving a very long inner cable strand to reach the front brake lever arm.

Slick

Yes I understand what you mean. I was thinking it would be covered as well under the yoke to the brake unless there is some sort of fitting like you can have in the middle of a brake cable that allows for adjustment and you sort of have 2 shorter cables joined to make the one ?

I have a 1957 ES2 and on this there is a small pressed plate attached by bolt to the threaded hole in the bottom yoke and yes the brake cable passes through it, It looks like a Factory part.

According to my 1957 ES2 parts book- 19530 Clip for brake cable.

texasSlick said:

That is the hole I commented on. In fact, mine has a bolt and nut filling that hole .....??? I am sure I never added that bolt, but my memory is not unfailable.

Your assessment that the hole was used in conjunction with the brake cable may be correct. It does lead to the problem of fitting the cable thru an adjuster, leaving a very long inner cable strand to reach the front brake lever arm.

Slick

Click to expand...

Hi, after some thought on the mater and also someone else pointing out I am obviously wrong in thinking maybe the brake adjuster screwed on there. With the front fork movement below this area every time the wheel gets less load down on it the break would be applied automaticley due to cable getting pulled I should of thought of that. It seems this hole is used to connect the lower part of the knob type adjustable damper to if you have a damper knob and then on bikes without one it was left and used to have clip fitted to that holds the brake cable but allowing it to move freely through. Cheers Jon.

Yes you are right, checking my Model 7 which has a steering damper that does locate in that lower yoke threaded hole, yet my ES2 with no steering damper has a clip located in the same hole and I have known the history of my ES2 since the '70s and don't believe it has been modified, my later 650SS & Atlas with the wider yokes don't have a hole in that location but have a cable guide attached to the mudguard.

It does seem the origin is likely the cable router clamp holder. Very ugly ride if the cable gets crushed on hard right turn. The fender based cable clamp, kind of, eliminated the tapped holes necessity .