Hello
I need information for my Spitfire MK IV rebuild. The bike has been stood for decades and has a lot of parts missing. After taking the forks apart it looks like the damping rod assembly is missing ? The sliders have a hole in the bottom which must mean there would have been an internal damper ?
Any information would be a great help.
Thanks
Andy
Do you have a copy of the 1968 parts book? You will need all the parts shown on there - there is quite a few!
These were also fitted to some 67' model bikes though with a different slider.
You'll most likely end up finding a second hand set, but you will still want to replace the parts that wear, including the damper rods. Sadly the damper rods are not available.
I bought some 5/16" drill rod (for those who don't know, drill rod is made to exact specifications and perfectly straight) costs more than standard off the shelf 5/16 rod, but it is made to size unlike the off the shelf stuff.. I highlight this as it made a big difference to the front end on my 68' Lightning. I spent years thinking the BSA design was rubbish, it wasn't... It was just worn.
Hi Allan
I do have parts book yes but as you said getting any of it is going to be difficult. I can not find the damper rods anywhere so what you have suggested sounds interesting. What length drill rod did you use and where did you get it from.
I surprised these are hard to come by. Can the forks be used without the damping rod assembly ?
Andy
the forks might have been shuttle valve type without rods. the best setup i believe. a cone damping stop screws in from the bottom slider.
Hi Andy, i too had the same problem when i started a rebuild on my 67 hornet. Most of the parts missing or beyond redemption. I sourced a lot of the smaller parts from the USA. Unit Singles who specialise in b44's etc which share the same damper setup. Draganfly now have lot of the parts which previously were hard to find. Good luck.
Dave.
Quote from: EDDIE SIMPSON on 01 Mar, 2024, 21:20
the forks might have been shuttle valve type without rods. the best setup i believe. a cone damping stop screws in from the bottom slider.
The 67/68 dampers also have a hole at the bottom of the slider. But the 68 should
Have the damper rod type. The triumph forklegs weren't fitted til 69.
I ended up getting drill rod from the states. You'll likely find a complete set if your patient that'll give you dimensions to copy from. If I remember right the rod was in 3 foot lengths. Not cheap but it machines beautifully. The end that screws into the cap is 5/16, the end for the damper rod parts is reduced to 1/4"
You might be able to substitute the damper rod with a triumph bottom cone which Eddie mentions until you can obtain some damper rods.
For suppliers. Look at the American and Australian sellers. Also consider Eldon Owen in Wrexham he might be able to help. What ever you buy is likely to be second hand but it will give you the starting blocks to work from. The overseas vendors have a surprisingly large amount of spares.
I have the holes in the bottom sliders which are chrome plated as is the swing-arm. Was this an optional extra ?
Andy
Quote from: Andy1969 on 04 Mar, 2024, 20:45
I have the holes in the bottom sliders which are chrome plated as is the swing-arm. Was this an optional extra ?
Andy
None of these would have been chromed from the factory, but it was a fad at the time to chrome everything.
Could anyone tell me the length of the damper rod for the 68 spitfire. This is the last part I need for my fork rebuild but apparently there were different lengths.
Thanks
Andy
I have a rod in my parts box, believe from a 1968 Lighning or Spitfire part 68 5143 (used on the 1966\76\68 twins). Measures 21 5/8 inch and goes with shafts 22 5/8 inch long..
The 1966/67 B44 and C25 used a shorter rod part 41 5128 and shorter shafts.
So the rod fits into the damper shaft which is fixed in the bottom slider. The rod is also screw into the top fork nut ?
I have the diagram from the parts book but it doesn't explain how all these bits fit together.
Thanks for the information.
Andy