Richard, When the coupe is converted to a D model, the up elevator travel is limited to 9 degrees, vs 13 in the original form. This makes getting the nose high on landing difficult. So in a cross wind landing, when you are supposed to land on the mains, let the coupe swivel straight, then let the nose gear down and drive it to the ramp - if you don't get the nose high enough then you wipe out the gear with side loads. This is made worse if you have a double fork on the nose gear, as it is almost two inches longer than the original......
So now the restraining cable holds the nose wheel just where it would have been if the original single fork was installed, helping to prevent side loads on the nose gear in X-wind landings, - as you can hold it clear of the ground while the coupe does it's thing in straightening out. Somewhere there is a memo on this ---- The strainghened nose gear assy, is more streamlined. If you have the "fender" still installed, it will act like a front rudder when not streamlined with the nose gear assy, because of the restraining cable. For this reason, I removed mine, removing some drag, too. Fly Safe - Have Fun Regards, Harry 93530 Blacksburg, Va.
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