I know there is a right and left radius rods and if they are installed correctly the seam of each will be on the bottom so they will not hold water in their hollow cavity, but if you had to (for instance, if you had 2 right hand rods), would it be possible to use a right hand rod on the left side with the seam on top, or are the rear forks angled slightly differently so as to prohibit this action? Jim Patrick
They will fit,but keep looking for the correct one.Wouldn't want that rod to rust out at the most inappropriate time..
Before about 1918, they were made from an extruded tapered tube and did not have an open seam. They also did not have "sides". Those tend to rust out badly from the inside on the bottom/back end. I have hours of work into ones for my brass era projects.
You could have that open seam brazed up. I did that, (the whole length) in order to repair an earlier one that was too far gone except for the ends themselves.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
Wayne...wow, just learned something new. Will soon check the rods on my '12 and '15 for any signs of weakness, "rust-rot" or whatever. What about drilling a small weep hole underneath the earlier ones without the open seam?
Tim
I would use it if that's what I had. I don't think many of us drive in the rain or ford many creeks anymore. If I was worried about the water being trapped, I would drill a couple small holes at the down hill end. KB
26/27 radius rods won't work on earlier cars. And vice versa.