Subject: Re: T 3 front end
Author: Greg Field
Date: Mar 9, 2005, 8:34 AM
Post ID: 1718516568
Ted:
Yes, there are two approaches to putting a T3 front on your Eldo, but
none is easy. Here are the options:
1) Adapt the T3 triple trees to the Eldo. This is easiest, but you then
lose the heavy look of the Eldo front end (no fork shrouds). You'll
almost certainly have to use the T3 fender. The T3 axle will work.
2) Adapt the T3 forks to your Eldo triple trees. This allows you to
keep the fork shrouds and Eldo fender. There are at least two ways to
do this:
a) Have tapered "adapter caps" made that bolt to the top of the T3
forks. These match the taper on the inside of the top triple tree. Bob
Nolan has made these. I can ask if he'll make more. This limits you to
the non-FAC dampers. See below for caliper and fender considerations.
b) Get new disc-Eldo tubes made by Forking by Frank to use with the T3
sliders. Have him make the tubes with the i.d. threads at the top like
the i.d. threads on the drum-Eldo tubes (different location for the
O-ring, from what I remember). This leaves you to find a way to adapt
damper rods to the top of your forks. You're unlikely to find the stock
set-up for a disc Eldo, so here's how I'd do it: Center-drill your drum
top caps for an 8-mm stud to affix the T3 damper rods to your top caps.
This is a basic set-up that I have never actually done. Better would be
to get FAC dampers and have the hex cap at the top turned down (or
filed down) to fit inside the tubes. Then, remove the air stem from the
top of the FACs, and screw it onto the stud you have added to your top
caps. I have done this. See below for caliper and fender considerations.
3) Have custom top triple tree made to clamp non-tapered tubes of the
T3. This would likely be very expensive but may be easier in the end
than option 2. See below for caliper and fender considerations.
Caliper and Fender Considerations
If you do not have a disc front fender, you can use the drum-type, if
you do the following:
1) Swap fork sliders, left to right, which puts the calipers behind the
sliders. This leaves room so that you can use the stock fender braces
(or at least I was able to on the one I did).
2) Then, cut off the strap on each side of the fender that used to
mount to the fork sliders. Best would be to weld them back on in a
position that can then mount to the T3 sliders. Likely, though, no
problems would ensue from leaving them off.
3) Insert the axle from the right (nut on the left).
Other Considerations
I cannot remember what I used for axle and spacers. I think I had some
metal turned off of the shoulder of the drum-brake axle.
You'll have some daylight between the end of the fork shroud and the
top of the slider, especially if you fit the longer G5-length springs
and dampers. No harm in this; it just looks a bit odd.
There's prolly other stuff, but I just can't remember it right now.
GF