Bell tailwheel fork
Doug Sr.,
Just wanted to let you know that I installed the new fork and it is very nice. Installing the new fork also resulted in an unexpected improvement in handling! As you know from our discussions, I had a problem where the tailwheel was not axially square to the spring. The guy that built it had a counter-clockwise rotation once everything was drilled and installed. This resulted in very assymetrical tailwheel tire wear, as well as just looking bad.
When I saw your new fork I decided to install it for ground clearance issues, and because it looks so damn good. At the same time I figured I could eliminate the unsightly alignment which bothered me every time I would look at it.
I felt the easiest approach was to make a new sleeve and bushing assembly, which I did, and when I mounted it to the existing spring I was able to eliminate the axial out of square condition. I also decided to not install the zerk fitting and will lubricate often with LPS (will go back to a zerk fitting and channel the bronze or the neck of the fork if it is a problem).
I installed the new fork and mounting assembly today and taxi tested and flew. Now here is the best part!! The plane taxis better than it ever has!!! Before, I always had to hold right rudder further down than left for taxi. I figured that the rigging was off in the rudder pedals and planned to address that this year at the annual. Now, taxi yields equal pedal inputs and is much easier to taxi, and is straight as an arrow. I don't know how much to attribute to your beautiful fork, and how much to attribute to straightening the relationship between spring, tailwheel, and mother earth. It's probably a combination of the two. However, I do thank you for the new fork. It gives more ground clearance, it looks better, and it is very reasonably priced! The improvement in handling is an unexpected bonus!
Thanks,