Hello A101960,
Thanks for the great history lesson, I appreciate it (as I am sure athers do).
One thing not clear to me is how far back the Eddie Dowe customizations went. My bike is a '55 swinging arm. I don't think there is much qustion as to the year, as it was titled when I got it in '73 and I can't imagine the year of manufacture would have gotten confused that early on. To the best of my recollection, the original frame was a CA7, which would have been matching numbers for my '55 engine number. Accordingly, the frame was made for the left-sde rear brake rod. Unfortunately, in the single most regreattable act of the restoration, which began in '03, I no longer have the original frame. When I started the restoration I had no sense for the importance of matching numbers nor did I know that the very next year model changed the frame for the right-hand cable-pull rear brake. I aslo had no idea how good or bad the engine was after it sat outside for 10 years (granted, often, but not always, under a tarp) with the barrels off. With me living in Illinois and the bike sitting in California, I could not bring myself to cough up the frame straightening expense. So, (are you sitting down?) I cut up the frame and discarded it rather than pay for shipping it back to Illinois, considering its unknown (to me) usefulness. (Do I hear people screaming, "Let's get 'm boys!". Maybe this is a good reason for anonymity. I wouldn't be surprised if I was now shunned by the entire A10 community for sacrilege.) I proceded to purchase a frame on eBay and only discovered it was a later vintage for right hand rear brake about a year later when I got around to some assembly. The labor and costs associated with converting the frame for the left-side brake would have so easily offset the cost of straightening the frame it makes me sick to think about, but it's in the past now.
Well, I got off an a tangent that has little to do with Eddie Dowe, RGSs or modifying compressions. I assume you could confirm that the thick flange barrels were available in '55 and, also, that that flange thickness is close to 7/16". Would you mind chiming in on this?
Now, for something entirely different, I have language issue to discuss. Until about two weeks ago I had never heard the word "anorak" until I read it in a Ken Follett novel based in Scotland. Now, suddenly, it pops up again on the A10 forum. Are you, by chance, in Scotland, and are you referring to a parka coat? My uuse of the language may not be the best, but you have raised my semantic curiosity.
Regards,
Richard