Plunger frame

Started by mandy [s], 03 Mar, 2026, 21:32

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mandy [s]

Hi all thought we would start on this, any ideas why the back wheel sits so high of the ground, when of the stand the the frame has a ground clearance of 5 inch from under the front two frame tubes, could the plunger units be seized,been sat for over 40 years.

V500

More like the wrong stand I would say.
If you think the plungers might be seized then bounce the rear of the frame on the ground and see if there's any movement.

DAVE BRADY

Hi,

The springs look right for the wheel being at the bottom of the suspension travel - top spring extended and lower spring compressed.
Is the stand on back to front?

Dave.

limeyrob

The plungers look right. The stand may be too long but that's odd because its quite a specific type.  The fork rake looks odd (could be a trick of the photo?), has that frame been modified?
Can you post a photo of it on its wheels?

DAVE BRADY

#4
Hi,

If you look at the feet on the stand they are on edge when they should be sitting fully on the ground. On this '51 Flash the rear wheel is about 4" off the ground.  Another possibility is that the 'stops' that limit the movement of the stand have been repaired and too much weld has been applied.  Carefully reducing the stops will lower the back end but do it gradually as a littler bit of material removed has a big affect. 

Dave.

V500

Fair point, but that said the centre stand in the pic looks to be at a good angle, and not nearly vertical as some repaired ones are.

mandy [s]

Few more pics, thanks for the replies so far.

mandy [s]

here is a few more pics thanks for the replies,

Daz

I think that frame has been hacked about.

limeyrob

I'm thinking the same, the rake looks wrong.  I think the stand is right.

mandy [s]

Quote from: limeyrob on 05 Mar, 2026, 09:39 I'm thinking the same, the rake looks wrong.  I think the stand is right.
hi, we did renew all the headstock bearings inside the frame and headstock was all smooth no signs of weld or rough metal or join welds,no signs of smooth filler around the stock, I know it has some non original parts, just have to go with the rebuild and see what it looks like.

mandy [s]

Quote from: V500 on 04 Mar, 2026, 09:37 Fair point, but that said the centre stand in the pic looks to be at a good angle, and not nearly vertical as some repaired ones are.
hi, I have posted a pic with the tape measure showing hight from ground, note the center stand hangs low  and will not pull up anymore, this is with the bike on its two wheels.

Gup holland

#12
Hello mandy , i have also a 1951 golden flash.
On the stand there is prox 40 mm under the tire. Center of rear axle is 370mm. Center of bolt footrest is 265mm on the right side.
If you doubt the rake , measure the wheelbase.

Gr gup

I tried to upload pictures, it was denied?????  Wrong file???

DAVE BRADY

Hi,

It looks like the rear section has been extended. Look at the relationship between the line of the top tube and the rear frame sloping down to the plunger units.  Also, the distance between the plunger units and the frame down tube - this looks longer hence the wheel sits higher when on the main stand.

Dave. 

limeyrob

"It looks like the rear section has been extended."  You could be right, I was focussing on the front but the line from the head stock to the rear top tube is much straighter on the frame than on the plan.