Shuttlevalve slider length and spindle angle anomaly

[TRFell]

Bought what l think are a matched pair of forks. The fork action tightens up when end caps are tightened. On closer inspection the end caps are different thickness same overall slider length with end caps on. The spindle angle is not at 90degrees to slider. The wheel therefore is not parallel with the forks.
What is going on here?
The only explanation l can give is the forks are designed for sidecar use to compensate for lean out of machine, but l need them for solo use
Thanks for any suggestions

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

If you do search of the (top right) forum you should find the answer.  Not a modification for sidecar use as the idea of the lean out is to compensate for the camber of the road and along with the toe in of the sidecar allow the outfit to go in straight line without the need for 'popeye' arms.

Dave.

[TRFell]

Hi Dave
I had done a bit of trawling the forums but there was some debate regarding whether or not it was reasonable to have a wheel spindle that is not at right angle to the forks.
So just to clarify you believe this is not specific to combinations and standard on solo bikes?
Thanks for your help
Tim

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

I hope this is right.
The bikes with the TLS full width hub front wheel had an offset just as you describe.  The caps on the end of the forks are marked with dot  and 2 dots to ensure correct fitment and there is a difference in the thickness of the caps.
I believe it was to do with getting the wheels in line 'on the road' as there is an anomaly in the position of the rear wheel in order to get it in line with the gearbox.
Sidecars' toe in and lean out are set on a flat surface.  The lean out means that once on the camber of the road the bike should be upright and toe in compensates for tendency for the side car to want to pull left, down the camber, so the toe in subtly pushes the sidecar  to the right.

Dave.

[TRFell]

Some pictures (hopefully) with dummy AJS spindle illustrating out of true wheel spindle

[TRFell]

Different size end caps, length of brake side slider without end cap 267mm and near side slider 270mm, tapered machined hole for spindle

[TRFell]

And brake side

[DAVE BRADY]

Good morning Tim,

Put 'A65 forks out of line' in the search box and you will find a few posts about this very topic.  The angle of the spindle is probably about right as the wheel at the rim is about 3/8" off to the left.

Dave.

[JulianS]

Below from BSA. The 1970 bulletin for shuttle valve forks and the 1966 bulletin, when it started, for the earlier forks.

Peter Crawfords excellent book "Thunderbolts and Lightnings" give an account of these unusual forks.

[TRFell]

Thanking you all very much for your knowledgeable input
It seemed completely illogical to me and I'm pleased to know the forks are ok.
I am fitting these to an A10 so possibly the odd alignment of these forks will not suit the old girl
And I'll go back to the mid 60s damper rod type which worked well for a while
Safe riding