Lansdowne Dampers returning

BritBikeBoy · Jun 22, 2017

Is the correct size spanner for Lansdowne damper kits a 1 3/8" 6 point?

Of the examples I have access to, the standard Commando fork top nut appears to be 1.3" across flats which is 7/8BS or 3/4W.
Standard Dominator fork top nut is 1.390" across flats which is 13/16W. Does this seem about right?

madass140 · Jun 22, 2017

machined from 1-3/8" hex bar. slightly larger than the standard fork nut.

concours · Jun 22, 2017

I have a 1-5/16" I bought for the original nuts, (it fits in nicely under the handlebars) the Lansdowne will require this one https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/81727216
Luckily, I already have it.

madass140 · Jun 22, 2017

A 12" adjustable wrench is the best tool I find is the best. You need to use a flat wrench or spanner which does not have any height to it.
John did supply a laser cut spanner but it was a bit flimsy. Considering you are only going to remove or replace the fork nuts once in a blue moon, I didnt
see the point of going thru the trouble of supplying one. Who supplies basic tools for each product they sell ?

L.A.B. · Jun 22, 2017

madass140 said:
A 12" adjustable wrench is the best tool I find is the best. You need to use a flat wrench or spanner which does not have any height to it.
John did supply a laser cut spanner but it was a bit flimsy. Considering you are only going to remove or replace the fork nuts once in a blue moon, I didnt see the point of going thru the trouble of supplying one. Who supplies basic tools for each product they sell ?

John began supplying a spanner as he'd received one or two complaints from his more ham-fisted customers who had used the wrong tool (12 point socket, etc.) and consequently chewed up or otherwise damaged the hexagons and even demanding John send free replacements as it was seen as being his fault the nuts were so easily damaged. Edit: He subsequently changed the cap nut material to 2011 aircraft grade alloy.

I don't agree that the tool John supplied is "flimsy". I've used it a few times and it does the job well in my opinion.

The hexagons on my original JB Lansdownes are 1-5/16" the same as the originals.

(In the photo, the 'R' rebound damper is on the left side as according to John it didn't matter which side the dampers were fitted)

madass140 · Jun 22, 2017

Yes L.A.B the spanner that I have as supplied by John is not the same as yours
its 2.7mm thick
https://photos.smugmug.com/One-cable/i- ... 0001-S.jpg

L.A.B. · Jun 22, 2017

madass140 said:
Yes L.A.B the spanner that I have as supplied by John is not the same as yours
its 2.7mm thick

Yes, that's certainly thinner than mine (3.9mm) although knowing how John did things, he wouldn't have reduced the thickness to 2.7mm if he didn't think it was sturdy enough.

Why not offer a spanner as an extra?

madass140 · Jun 22, 2017

well I can certainly say that you will never get 30ft/lbs on the spanner that i have, 2.7mm thick and not a solid bit of plate. Maybe the one I have is one of Johns early versions. I wont be offering a spanner .

Stephen Hill · Jun 22, 2017

I bought a cheap (Chinese) 6 point socket and removed the chamfer from it. I used a lathe but it wouldn't be too difficult to do with a grinder. Or you can buy a chamferless socket.

An example of a chamferless socket ( I didn't know they existed until I decided I needed one):
https://www.google.ca/search?q=chamferl ... jI9G30jWoM:

Stephen Hill

L.A.B. · Jun 22, 2017

madass140 said:
Maybe the one I have is one of Johns early versions.

Well, possibly, but as I was one of his early customers (and the first to bring the Lansdowne dampers to the attention of the accessnorton forum) I think mine is more likely to be the early version as the spanner didn't come with the dampers, it was sent a couple of weeks later as by that time John had decided to include the spanner with the kit.

splatt · Jun 22, 2017

You have to remove the top nuts every time you change the fork oil, so on a serviced bike they come out more often, and if the thread in your aftermarket tubes is less than perfect the threads take a hammering as well

xbacksideslider · Jun 22, 2017

I'm in too.

I'd also be interested in a screw in slider extension that would move the bushing and seal higher, thereby enabling longer travel and the possibility of raising the front end an inch or so.

L.A.B. · Jun 22, 2017

xbacksideslider said:
I'd also be interested in a screw in slider extension that would move the bushing and seal higher, thereby enabling longer travel and the possibility of raising the front end an inch or so.

There's already approximately 1.5" of unused travel in the forks, as the fork extension travel is limited by the length of the damper assembly.

Longer springs or additional spring sections would also be required not only to increase ride height but because the standard springs become coil-bound if the fork travel is increased by more than a small amount.

norton-roadholder-modifications-t3645.html

http://decentcycles.com/how-to/95-fauth ... cation-kit

http://atlanticgreen.com/forks.htm

robs ss · Jan 6, 2018

Don
I am still interested in these for my 650SS (short roadholders) - though I understand your natural risk aversion.
I intend fitting some of Jim's Turcite bushes to minimise stiction
Can you advise what components of your kit need shortening and by how much?
I'll willingly do the mods at my risk.
Cheers
Rob

Torontonian · Jan 6, 2018

On the list please. Thanks.

madass140 · Jan 6, 2018

I have 3 sets left sitting here in front of me now, I expect they will be all shipped sometime this week to somewhere, but of course
some time in the near future I'll be assembling more. pretty busy here, Don

Lansdowne Dampers returning

BritBikeBoy

madass140

concours

madass140

L.A.B.

Moderator

madass140

L.A.B.

Moderator

madass140

Stephen Hill

L.A.B.

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splatt

xbacksideslider

L.A.B.

Moderator

robs ss

Torontonian

madass140

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