Norton Roadholder Fork Bump Stop Modifications
Download the complete PDF version using the green download button at the top right of this page for Peter Crespin’s article on Norton Roadholder fork bump stop modifications and the Covenant conversion. This technical article explains the design weaknesses in later Norton Short Roadholder forks and how hidden internal changes can improve damping at the extremes of fork travel.
The article compares the earlier Long Roadholder fork with the later Short Roadholder design used on Featherbed-framed Norton models from 1953 onward. It explains how the later fork improved mid-travel damping but failed to provide proper hydraulic bump stops at full extension and full compression, allowing metal-to-metal contact and harsh topping or bottoming under poor road conditions.
The modification section explains how to improve full-extension damping by using longer top bushes or spacer collars so the stanchion oil holes are correctly blanked off near full travel. It also explains the compression-side fix, where the original damper tube holes are blocked and new oil holes are drilled just above the taper, following the more effective Matchless-style arrangement.
Contents Include
- Norton Long and Short Roadholder fork design background
- Explanation of Roadholder hydraulic damping faults
- Full-extension bump stop problem and cause
- Full-compression bump stop problem and cause
- Damper valve and damper tube contact notes
- Top bush and spacer collar modification guidance
- Oil-hole blanking sequence explanation
- Damper tube hole blocking methods
- Re-drilling oil holes above the taper
- Covenant conversion kit reference
- Hidden fork improvements for better road use
