98cc Villiers on a 1945 Sears Roebuck

Harold I like the springs. The input to this point is valid as well. I've built many small utility trailers over the years using similar springs so a little hands on insight follows. The manufacturer's load rating generally seems too generous. A two thousand pound rating is the shared load between two springs, 1000 lbs. per spring. Two thousand pounds loaded onto even two springs would pretty much max out both springs while the trailer was parked, in motion things would get interesting.

Effective load carrying capacity of half of one spring stack (cut) is well less than half of an uncut full length spring stack. I'd be surprised if your spring as is & mounted on the bike would be rated at much more than 350 lbs.

350 lbs. to 450 lbs. seems a quite reasonable figure for a light motorized bike & rider. Unless you are quite large or carrying a passenger. Lubrication between the leaves of the stack is recommended as well. The leaf type springs when mounted on bikes have the leverage of both fork & rocker design to work the spring stack so some fork designs would lessen or increase the movement of a given spring under load. Trial & error, but to me it seems you're in the ball park with the spring as is. If it's too stiff shaving the spring stack is the best approach (don't get the springs too hot) & I agree it will have a cosmetic appeal to some as well, though it looks good as is. Pulling one leaf (shortening the stack) while an option, won't look as good and will be too soft...my guess.

Final input a good spring shop can reshape a pack (more or less arch) & re-calibrate the spring rate to your specs. Some expense involved with that one lol. Great looking build & I'm following with interest. I do have a set of these somewhere mounted on an old axle...hmm. Rick C.

Hey Bud bike is looking good! Couple questions for ya... Is leaf spring drilled through all 3 leafs and bolted to bottom of fork? Also is that tank from La Flea bay? If those rockers don't work out I have a set that didn't fit my bike that might ? Work. Keep at it..like you said ..Paint is a must before the cold comes .

Hey B nice bike build you got going on, like that jig setup too...I may have to invest in that setup. Feast your eyes on that attached picture

Harold, Culver City had perfect timing as I was about to post one other option for your spring...shorten the two secondary leaves in the stack to give more action if required. His spring stack shows what that would look like with leaves also reversed (which makes for a sleeker look in my opinion) if you decide to stay with your current configuration with the shorter leaves on top, rounding the tips of the two two shorter leaves is an easy way to give a more finished look to your springs. At any rate the fork he posted is quite elegant...this stuff is what I love about the forum, perhaps the springs will work perfectly & all this help isn't necessary, but perhaps down the road it might help you or others on future builds. People helping people.

Have you checked the trail geometry on your fork set up? Rick C.

Harold Indian did in 1916 build the "feather weight" model K 221 cc Villiers engine ...2 stroke. One year only with 3 speed, but no leaf spring. Rick C.

No leaf but did have some kind of spring front, just had to look it up...........Curt

https://www.google.com/search?q=Ind...=O1fbV_CfC5b6jwPpko-QAQ#imgrc=kUPNYluBxnnA2M:

Forgot to add this on trail, good discussion in Lurker's v twin thread (somewhere in the first third or so of the posts) on details of setting up trail with some theory. I read a book on it forty or more years ago, but the title escapes me. It was published by Floyd Clymer though. I thought much of the input given to Lurker valid & he set up the forks accordingly...must have worked! Rick C.

Harold_B said:

That's the one I meant. The K. My head is killing me right now and details are escaping me. Thanks for the correction. Built in Canada if I recall correctly. The hodgepodge thought was the leaf from a Scout or O with a fixed rear. I had thought briefly about leafs in the back but decided I want to finish this in my lifetime.

Click to expand...

Lovely little bike. Not well thought of at the time but I feel owners made their own problems with fuel mix and poor 2 stroke operation skills, trashed the motors by riding like a 4 stroke... The model K would have looked killer with a leaf spring up front. Rick C.

I did not make the fork but sure like it and feel it was right to post so you guys could get some details on it. voodoovintage.com makes it and it was narrowed 2in and made ride height adjustable by rkb kustom speed. Its on my list to make one some day.

Another site to look at and I mean look at cuz the prices are crazy: http://www.wwag.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WebSite

Yes Curtis the K had a unique spring fork suspension.

Culver my leaf spring design (idea) would be built into a triple tree and girder fork design. I don't have a bike running one of those. Rick C.

2" trail sounds about right Harold even at higher speeds, at town speed "death wobble" isn't going to be an issue even with a bit of negative trail. Many actual flat track racers are set up with zero trail or even negative trail for competition factors unique to that style racing. Rick C.

Sorry to break into the discussion with somethin useless, but I must say it.

That's going to be an awesome bike! Second, I am continuously impressed by the quality of information on this sight. The amount of experience, knowledge and technical information here is simply staggering.
Please forgive me for my intrusion, but I simply must give due credit. You are all an invaluable resource, thank you.

mogollonmonster said:

Sorry to break into the discussion with somethin useless, but I must say it.

Please forgive me for my intrusion, but I simply must give due credit. You are all an invaluable resource, thank you.

Click to expand...

Harold I'm jumping in here 'cause I'm passionate about this supposed intrusion. Mogollon you are not intruding but participating & that's a very good thing. Interaction is so important to a successful forum & to each thread and post. Every forum member should be valued and encouraged to dialogue, in a civil manner, regardless of whatever skill sets they possess.

I read posts to learn, as entertainment and for encouragement to build things. I write posts in order to share with others my love of all things on wheels and an opportunity for others to praise or critique my efforts as well. Please sir continue to share your comments & praise they make an Old guy happy!

Rick C.