fork sliders and different types

[oceanobsession]

Hi folks , after cleaning up my fork sliders  for repaint ive found the thread in the drain screw poor 2ba , i have more fork sliders available , but want to keep the mudgaurd brackets matched , there seems to be 2 types , im using an 8 inch
front brake , i have a fork slider leg that has a lug to stop the back plate from turning 7inch maybe b31 , but apart from this lug the rest looks identical , im thinking about removing the lug and using it for the 8 inch front wheel , anyone see any problems , phil.

[limeyrob]

Have you tried re-tapping the thread first?  Its a lot less work.

[oceanobsession]

yes a helicoil , could be an option , but there is a long thread one side of the hole and a short thread the other side , i do
have a piller drill , but not an easy job , just waying up options , its not completely stripped but very loose . but will tighten up , phil.

[CheeserBeezer]

To be honest, I'd just tap it out a larger size, maybe 0 BA. Nobody's going to notice and, so what if they do!

[Rex]

Swapping over brazed-on lugs sounds bit extreme if not to say risky.
Surely helicoils (or even as a last resort, one size up) would be much easier?

[limeyrob]

I've had success just running a same size tap through and fitting a new screw. I would try that first.  Check the screw length carefully. You may be able fit a slightly longer screw to pick up the undamaged threads but check it won't get hit by the stanchion.

[chaterlea25]

Hi All,
I would try an M5 screw in the threads,
Virtually the same pitch and approx 12 thou bigger .
John

[limeyrob]

Good call!  M5 is 0.197" dia and 31.75 tpi vs 31.4 and 0.185" dia for M5.  I'll be using this fix when the time comes .

[Rex]

Noooo! No metric, ever..

[oceanobsession]

Thanks folks for all your suggestions , ive posted some pics , im pointing at the lug that i would remove , that would make
them the same as my bare metal pair , my only concern is the different mudgaurd mounting lugs on  both sets holes are
in the same place , are the mudgaurd lugs on the bare steel pair stronger due to the 8 inch brake which mounts on the same holes , phil.

[Rex]

The lug you're pointing at is the anchor for the 7" brake plate. Are you using a 7" brake?
Unless I'm misunderstanding, why can't you just fit the other slider?

[Radlan2]

The brazed on cast lugs are as I understand it "goldstar" types and are more sought after possibly brought in for the 190mm brake. I have removed the lug you are talking about (7" brake) and then used that fork leg for an 8" brake with no problems.
 Saying that I would not mix and match a cast lug with the steel pressing type myself, probably swap the pair if I was not able to repair the thread. Hopefully the M5 screw fix will do it but the counterbore face makes the sealing washer very thin section.
     Chris

[RichardL]

Noooo! No metric, ever..

C'mon, really? At the fork-oil drain screw? Andrew has the right attitude about "who cares," and he's shoulder-deep in BSA parts and enthusiasm.

Richard L.

[limeyrob]

Its just a dodgy 2 BA thread.  That's no reason to be cutting up 60 year old parts.  Removing that lug is not simple. Sliders are quite thin and its easy to deform them and cause the stanchion bushes to stick. Once you get a high spot its a lot of work to correct. I spent some time honing my sliders to get a nice smooth action in each leg with new bushes. I would most definitely not be putting them in vices, lathes or putting heat on them.
You could just loctite the screw in.  The repair should be proportional to the problem.