Originally Posted by
Rowan
Peterpan's caution of overtightening the U-clamps is very important. In addition, wrap the fork at the location of the U-clamps with electrical insulation tape or inner tube strips (or both) to avoid scarring the paintwork on the fork.
another extra precaution to do here is to do a light wrapping of tape / inner tube to protest the paint then short length of copper piping used for central heating main circuits say 1"-2" long 1" diameter. Now cut he length of piping vertically so you have lengths of semi circular copper. Place them on the mount points of the fork. IF the overlap (i.e the fork blade is less than 1" trim them so they do not) and put the u-bolt round the brass.
Coppers is a light weight and soft metal so any clamping will spread the load well over a wide band. It is like building up a shock absorber between you fork and it's mount point. Inner tube -> cooper -> bolt spreading the load with each layer.