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speedometer mounting

Submitted by stuart_hall on Sat, 19/10/2024
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I have a 1936 model 18 which I have just got running , the bike originally had no speedo as they were not required pre 1937. I have fitted the drive gear and have the speedo mounted to the handlebar bolts but I suspect that when the forks fully compress they will hit the speedo. I've studied lots of photos of similar period model 18/16h and they have the speedo mounted to the top of the girder section of the forks. The only available mounting points seem to be the 2 grease nipples on the top cross member, would that be correct and if so are special bolts required to replace the grease nipples?

Thanks John, those are very useful, the brackets I have seen available are offset to the side I guess for easier access to the light switch but still mounted to the front section of the forks. 
  many thanks, Stuart

Submitted by richard_payne on Tue, 22/10/2024

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Where fitted on pre-war and also very early-war WD Nortons, the central bracket was used (assuming no panel tank of course). I've seen it suggested that the offset bracket was introduced on the WD Nortons to allow a map case to be attached there, but period photographs of this use are so rare that I suspect it may simply have been to allow a straight drive cable run with no risk of chafing on the fork spring.

John's is absolutely the correct original bracket. If looking for one, take care as there are Matchless equivalents which look interchangeable but aren't.

Attachments
Gas paint (2).jpg
Speedo Rr with bracket..jpg

Thanks Richard, all very useful info, I've seen lots of brackets online that seem to have the mounting holes slightly too close together, I'm thinking the best plan is going to be making one myself.
     Many thanks, Stuart

Submitted by stuart_hall on Wed, 23/10/2024

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Thanks Jon, I've filed that with my Norton file, I think I'm sorted now, I've ordered a bracket from Kingpin Components who assure me it will fit  and spent this afternoon machining up the special bolts with grease nipples needed to fit it. Big thanks to everyone for their replies and suggestions.
     cheers Stuart

 



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