Tips for installing front lowering brackets.

[Reno Speedster]

I am working on getting the suspension done on my 26 speedster. I have machined Laurel style lowering brackets for the front axle but I need to drill the holes to fit them to the axle. This needs to be done so there is no play between the axle and the bracket, but getting them in exactly the right place will be a bit of a challenge.

The best approach I have come up with is to machine a stub the will fit in the axle hole with a point on the end in the center. I can machine half the point away so that when I slide the bracket onto the axleI, the flat on the side of the point can go flush against the side of the bracket. By doing this on both sides, I can get a good idea of where the center of the hole in the axle is in relation to the brackets.

I am making the bolts to hold the brackets on out of long 3/4 in Allen cap screws (which existed in the 1920s), so I can fit them perfectly. If I had to, I could ream the brackets and axle to get perfect alignment, but the axle is an nos 26-27 and I would rather not alter it.

Does anyone have any experience they can share to get this job done right?

[Kevin Pharis]

Don’t over think it... I’ve been running em for years and they have never moved. Make the bolts fit, and it’ll be fine