Cycling UK Forum

I have a 1977 HQ track frame that I run on 700x23 clinchers on fixed wheel. The rear wheel is a perfect fit although it is not drilled for a rear brake. The problem is the front wheel. It is drilled for a brake, but the 700x23 rubs under the top of the forks. The front drop outs are very long, longer than needed, which allows the wheels to hit the top of the forks. Is there anything that can fit into the drop outs to reduce the length. Really don’t fancy having to ride on sprints

These might do your job https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/frames-f ... uts-p21898

Old 26" road wheels and tyres (if available?) I think 597 Bead seat I so about an inch on diameter smaller.

An adaptation of a Sturmey wedge washer to fit the smaller diameter axle might fit the job or perhaps there was something similar fitted to hub brake front hubs?

My Montague Rudge came with these nylon plugs fitted to push the wheel to the front of the dropout. Shouldn't be difficult to replicate if unavailable to purchase.
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Or maybe something like this.
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Similar case about 50 years ago -- as an impecunious youth, I glued a small ball bearing on top of the front hub spindle. I used the slot for the keyed washer to provide a positive location.

These forks were designed for skinny, skinny tubs. I can just get a 22mm tub into mine; it is drilled for a brake but no brake ever made would fit in there. I got Argos to build me another fork for road use, with 42mm brake drop.

Harry used some interesting geometries, so you can't just slap a road fork on there. Mine has an offset of 50mm, which is huge for a track bike.

I had the same problem many years ago, too closer clearance on the front wheel, I made up a couple of spacers which I fixed into the front drop outs using araldite. The spacer is held captive by the wheel nuts and the spindle itself.

My track bike has extremely tight clearances, so I couldn't use grass track tyres on it. So at the front to create more space, I wedged ball bearings in the fork ends (1/4" as I recall") which worked fine. At the back I just lengthened the chain, which obviously moves the wheel away from anything the tyre might touch.