Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

I'm a bit baffled by how these should fit. Can anyone advise?

The parts diagram seems to suggest the metal washer should sit on top of the shroud, then the rubber washer on top of that. Like this: But that doesn't seem to work and can't make the top yoke fit over it.

The only way that looks right to me is to fit the rubber washer over the top of the stanchion, then slide the shroud over it so the rubber washer fits snugly between the shroud and the stanchion, then put the metal washer H110-51 on top of the shroud, then fit the yoke over.
Is that correct (although not what the diagram shows)? Or am I missing something...?

James
In my experience, steel washer on top of shroud and rubber above it.
They compress into the top yoke one heck of a lot.
If you think the rubber is too tall maybe cut it down a bit? (It's only supposed to stop the rattling, doesn't need to be a seal.)

HTH

SG

I put the fork leg through the shroud then the rubber up inside the yoke so that the yoke compresses the rubber onto the shroud when the yoke top nut is tightened. I used some washing up liquid as lubricant on the rubber. I seem to recall that the yoke top nuts were not engaging with the fork thread as the rubbers were holding them apart so I used ratchet straps over the top yoke and around the axle (with no wheel in place) to compress the forks. You need to protect the paintwork with rags to prevent scratches.
Dennis

do the post 1950 forks use the same top cap as the earlier teles?
This is my 48 forks.

Not sure but my '54 VH has the top yoke shown in the forks diagram in James' post and the fork top is tapered slightly to fit into the yoke. Unfortunately, I can't provide a photo of the rubber and fork top as it is assembled and they are not on show.
Dennis

I've always fitted the rubber into the top yoke and then the steel washer,
Finally the shroud fits into the top yoke. With both sides assembled the top
yoke is then fitted onto the steering stem and the fork stanchions pulled
up through the bottom yoke and into the top yoke. Nip up the pinch bolts
to restrain the stanchions and fit the bolts down through the top yoke.

So far I've always managed to engage these bolts without difficulty. However
some of the rubber parts now available are a little generous any may cause
problems - nothing a stanley knife can't cure though..

MGriffin wrote: ↑Wed Nov 16, 2022 11:33 pm do the post 1950 forks use the same top cap as the earlier teles?

Mike - post '50 is different, the top-end arrangement got altered (possibly in 1950 and again in 1951)

SG

Thanks all - problem solved - but now I have another! See new post...