Is There A Prewar Colson Cushioner Assembly Diagram Out There?

[Krakatoa]

A friend of mine is in over his head putting a cushioner back together that's been in pieces for years. I don't have any experience with this particular fork either so I figured I'd ask here. I did a quick look to see if there was a thread on it but I couldn't find one easily.

Thank you,

Nate VT
401-548-9082

 

[Krakatoa]

Many thanks Chris @kreika for the quick phone call this morning with some assembly starter tips!

 

[srfndoc]

Nate,

If you need anything further let me know. I just went thru this process so am familiar with the bits.

Todd

 

[kreika]

Nate,

If you need anything further let me know. I just went thru this process so am familiar with the bits.

Todd

Quite a particular reassembly process. Interesting design. Had to figure it out this last summer myself, on my Bullnose. I also have a speedo drive in it. Even more complexity. 🤣

 

[srfndoc]

Yep, bit of a pain and in my case the axle was stripped so I had to be careful not to strip the custom barrel nuts.

 

[kreika]

Yep, bit of a pain and in my case the axle was stripped so I had to be careful not to strip the custom barrel nuts.

I had the same issue. One year only fork for a reason. 🫢

 

[srfndoc]

Fork was made in 41 and then again 50-53. Kind of weird it wasn't available in 49 when Colson started bicycle production again as the clipper was being made then.

 

[Freqman1]

Fork was made in 41 and then again 50-53. Kind of weird it wasn't available in 49 when Colson started bicycle production again as the clipper was being made then.

The dog bones are different on the postwar fork

 

[srfndoc]

My postwar fork (51) has the same as many 41 forks I've seen.


I've seen other examples but there doesn't seem to be any rational on when they may have changed. It's possible the others could be homemade/custom as they look rough or more generic.

Best catalog pic I've found for comparison:


More examples:





I've also seen these:


And these:

 

[mrg]

At one time I had 5 cushioner forks laid side by side and they all were different!