Headlamp Brackets

[HoveToo]

I've discovered that many years ago I fitted the headlamp brackets upside down so, whilst rebuilding the forks I've turned them around. The problem is that the O Rings that are used to stop the brackets rattling became displaced and I need to do something about it. At the moment I'm thinking of simply dropping the lower yoke a little and wrapping some tape around the brackets.
Does anyone have a better idea, other than doing it properly of course

 

[L.A.B.]

The problem is that the O Rings that are used to stop the brackets rattling became displaced and I need to do something about it.

Edit: Do you mean one or both lower O-rings on each side were forced into the bracket tubes when you replaced the fork legs?

At the moment I'm thinking of simply dropping the lower yoke a little and wrapping some tape around the brackets.

It wouldn't take much more to do the job properly.

 

[nortonmews]

Hi

I made a pair of washers out of gasket cork and clamped these under the top yoke (thin leather would also work). It worked for me and much easier than doing it properly.

Graham

 

[HoveToo]

L.A.B - yes, when I pushed in the new stanchions, they picked up the O Rings and jammed the stanchions in the headlamp bracket tube so I pulled the O Rings out.

I have removed the forks a few times this week and can do it in half an hour but I suspect that the O Rings will get collected more than once so I am looking for a less tricky alternative. Thinking about it now, I should have rolled the O Rings down the stanchion rather than seating them in the slot with a bit of grease. I will give it a go and have some leather O Rings as a back up as suggested by Graham.

Thanks for your suggestions...

 

[L.A.B.]

Thinking about it now, I should have rolled the O Rings down the stanchion rather than seating them in the slot with a bit of grease.

That's the way I'd do it, by inserting the stanchion through the lower yoke to the approximate fitted height, slide two O-rings down the stanchion and into the lower yoke recess, fit the bracket and then either set the upper O-ring on top of the bracket or 'stick' it in the upper yoke recess with grease.

 

[HoveToo]

I assume that you are releasing the lower yoke and sliding it down the stanchions sufficiently that you can then drop one leg at a time sufficiently to fit the O Rings and brackets. Sounds like one for tomorrow morning after a couple of pints of Phyllosan (just checked, Sanatogen available from Morrisons )

 

[L.A.B.]

I assume that you are releasing the lower yoke and sliding it down the stanchions sufficiently that you can then drop one leg at a time sufficiently to fit the O Rings and brackets.

I think you've probably made it awkward for yourself but it is possible to do it that way even without detaching the brackets from the headlamp as long as you have sufficient working clearance to slide the O-rings down as you work each stanchion up into position.

 

[HoveToo]

Point taken, I'll try the least disruptive way first, dropping the lower yoke a little while retaining it with the big nut should give me room to roll the O Rings down.

 

[L.A.B.]

Point taken, I'll try the least disruptive way first, dropping the lower yoke a little while retaining it with the big nut should give me room to roll the O Rings down.

Going from memory, with the stem nut backed off as far as possible and both stanchions also lowered just enough to clear the upper yoke then the yokes can be rotated out of alignment which gives more room or allows the lower O-rings and brackets to be individually assembled onto each stanchion.
With the yokes realigned and the upper O-rings stuck in the top yoke the stanchions can be carefully worked up into the tapers by twisting them.

 

[cliffa]

HoveToo, my advice is to take a little extra Sanatogen, and do what I did ...

https://www.accessnorton.com/Norton...t-regret-buying-2014.17268/page-4#post-365610

You may even be able to use the packaging

Seriously it's one of the best things I've done on my bike. You don't realize how much noise they make until it's gone.

Cheers,

cliffa.

 

[HoveToo]

LAB - thanks for that clarification. That's what I'll do.

Also I will adopt Cliffa's suggestion of shimming the inside of the brackets. With that done and the new RGM disc rather than the 30 year old Norvil clanger, I should be able to hear the engine now.....

 

[L.A.B.]

Also I will adopt Cliffa's suggestion of shimming the inside of the brackets.

I don't see why that's necessary. With the three O-rings in position on each side and everything tightened up, my Commando's brackets are solidly clamped between the yokes but I suppose it can't do any harm.

 

[HoveToo]

Thanks all, job done. I used thick tape inside the brackets to follow Cliffa's suggestion. Swivelling the lower yokes worked a treat. No swearing either....