Yes – I have had this issue since “day 1” with Lancair standard stock kit supply alloy forks and tyres in 2008.
They do offer an exchange I believe for steel forks which are stiffer, but of course heavier (can’t recall the pricing). But Lancair did kindly provide me with a “kit” as Dan refers to which comprises a set of AN4 countersink bolts. I have’t yet fitted these as, at about the time I received this “kit”, I had to change my main gear tyres anyway – Gary Weeks recommended Goodyear Flight Custom III tyres as they have a slightly different profile compared to the Michelins supplied by Lancair and that they offer better clearance. Gary’s Legacy has steel forks and the clearance is fine; but with my alloy forks, whilst there is 10-12mm clearance under static conditions now, I do occasionally get some rubber material deposited on the gear doors indicating that the tyres do still touch on occasions - but it is MUCH better. Fitting the counter sink bolt set would in combination with Custom III tyres fix it completely – I think.
BTW – when it comes to machining the countersink profiles – I’ve been advised that the countersinks would have to be "perfect" to avoid any possibility of creating serious stress in the screws due to any eccentric loading – so the forks have to be properly milled on a heavy duty milling machine. So, I wouldn’t attempt to do it “by hand”.
Regards,
John
John N G Smith
Tel / fax: +61-8-9385-8891
Mobile: +61-409-372-975
Email: john@jjts.net.au