Which head steady is your favourite?

Which head steady have you found to be the best?

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Bonzo

Bonzo

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Maybe you've only ever ridden with the same head steady, perhaps you've tried a few, but thought it might be interesting to see where your vote goes.

Let me know if I've missed one off the list.
 
Bonzo said:
Maybe you've only ever ridden with the same head steady, perhaps you've tried a few, but thought it might be interesting to see where your vote goes.

Let me know if I've missed one off the list.
Click to expand...
Can't choose Comstock/CNW plus spring
 
A good craftsman never blames his tools.
I run out of tire before anything else is of concern.
Original muffler mount rubber biscuits.
 
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I have a Comstock on my MKIII and a Old Britts an my 72, does anyone know if the Old Britts can be rebuilt? I just had it apart a few days ago and it looks like it is sagging a little, what i didn't do was take apart the base part and see if the rubber center comes apart. Also it could use new washers.
 
I'm probably fairly typical here, I don't have a favourite because I've only tried one, its the original 1970 that uses rubber mounts from an Austin Mini exhaust system.

But I would like to know which is the best, so some kind of engineering assessment would be great. Or even an engineering discussion that would help people make a decision on which one to go for.

My assessment of the 1970 original:
Pro:
Its original, doesn't need maintenance apart from replacing of the Mini exhaust mounts every 40 years

Con:
It flexes in every direction, side to side, front to back, up and down, and because of all the flex in the joints, the rubber mounts don't seem to be too significant
Because there isn't much that can be done to improve things, even Norton replaced it in 1973.
 
MichaelD said:
Because there isn't much that can be done to improve things, even Norton replaced it in 1973.
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The head steady was strengthened (by making it a box section) because the earlier plate steady would often fracture but the same rubber mounts were used so the box steady assembly must flex as much.
The suspensory spring wasn't added until the 850 Mk3 ('1975').
 
Comstock leading so far.

I must say, they do look like classy kit, and I like the way it utilizes the existing threaded frame bosses.

Pity they're out of stock :(
 
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Hortons Norton said:
I have a Comstock on my MKIII and a Old Britts an my 72, does anyone know if the Old Britts can be rebuilt? I just had it apart a few days ago and it looks like it is sagging a little, what i didn't do was take apart the base part and see if the rubber center comes apart. Also it could use new washers.
Click to expand...
Steadfast Cycles is selling the Old Britts headsteady now. May as well contact them to see if you can obtain replacement parts or not.
 
Bonzo said:
Comstock leading so far.

I must say, they do look like classy kit, and I like the way it utilizes the existing threaded frame bosses.

Pity they're out of stock :(
Click to expand...
Yes. I would have fitted one but out of stock when I looked about 3 years ago.

I have a Dave Taylor with spring installed. Much improved steering over the stock unit. Very noticeable on roundabouts where the steering is much more precise. All vibration gone after 2400 rpm.
 
The Old Britts headsteady can't utilize the MK3 spring, so I'd eliminate it in that category.
The Comstock unit can. It's drilled and tapped to accept the spring bracket.
 
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