Does anyone have a drawing or the dimensions for the earlier short front forks? Also, what material/specification is the tube material? I have an accident damaged set that may require re-tubing.
This is the best I have. The 17 1/8" measurement must mean that this drawing is the later forks, so that measurement must be reduced by 1/2". I guess that the tube size and other sizes can be obtained from your damaged forks. Ron
Note that the short forks are much lighter than the longer ones, the small difference in length can't be the only factor for this so it must also be the wall thickness of the tubing.
My guess is that BSA tried to make the short fork as light as possible by using better quality tubing (Reynolds??)
Nothing special about the material. Just a good quality ductile steel. Try your nearest hydraulic supplier for seamless tubing. Use the thickest wall they have.