Hemmings Norvil Head steady

An Interstate tank went over my Norvil head steady just fine. Both original Norton parts in the 70s. And I thought Mick's head steadys were a straight copy. But I have seen the alloy side plates replaced by thinner steel so maybe others have had clearance issues.

As for whether a shimmed head steady makes a difference, it depends on what you want from your bike. If you experience annoying wobbles, perhaps when loaded up, or a general vagueness, then you'll probably want to keep it. But I'd try the standard head steady and see how you get on before taking a hammer to the inside of the tank.

I have an original PR head steady bought from Gus Kuhn's over 40 years ago — and never used because it fouls a standard Fastback fibreglass tank.

Julian:

That's where I got mine too, 1978 I think.

I also have one from Les Emery, fabricated from stainless steel. Measures 63.7mm outside-outside of plates (versus 88.3mm on the original). Would that fit under your Fastback tank? Maybe use countersunk bolts instead of nylocs on studs. Do you a straight swap if you're interested.

Norman White used to offer a narrow 'Norvil' type steady that lacked the centre mounting, for fitting under Roadster tanks.

Personally, I prefer the rose-joint type that RGM offer, both in terms of smoothness and stability. I wouldn't go back to a 'Norvil'

The Mk 3 steady is simply the standard 850 box-section steady with two holes for the suspension spring device. It doesn't provide any extra lateral location compared with than the earlier 850 item.