Hitchcocks Forum

New front end treatment.. With progressive springs... Should improve handling..

That chunky fork brace reminds me of the micron one I used to have on my 350LC. Do you find it makes a difference? I've never noticed too much in the way of flex on my 350 but I'm wondering about the ridgidity of the chassis at higher speeds once I get my 612 finished.

Hi Stinkwheel.. I found the bike wallow Ed a bit on roundabouts etc.. Not too drastic but I thought I'd service the forks so new springs, seals, oil and took the opportunity to fit the brace.. I will report back re sure footedness after the weekends jollies..

Hi Tom, I find the standard rolling chassis is usually good for 100 mph - brakes excepted sometimes! Make sure your front end is right, I have seen lots of R.E.'s with loose yokes and stanchions and they are not so obvious to spot as on other makes, due to the design. Basically, make sure the stanchions are screwed into the top yoke really tightly, but more importantly, pay attention to the cotter clamp which locks the top yoke - or casquette - to the stem from the bottom yoke, any slackness here will allow the bottom yoke to slew against it causing 'interesting' handling at the very least. A basic way to check is to put the front wheel between your knees and see if you can slew the handlebars from side to side. I have been able to do this on quite a number of R.E. machines. Otherwise, I assume the bike is going well enough to highlight some shortcomings in the handling department? Regards, Paul.