To service the bungees, would the bracket have to be removed and  the
    rear of the engine supported?  That is the only downside I can  see.
    And I don't know how big of a deal that is.    On the other hand,
     this solution is strong and light and has a good strut angle.   Jerry


        ---------------------------------------------------
        This is what I suggest. A couple of simple 4130 sheet metal . 090
        thick brackets bolted
        to the lower channel and fire wall with 10-32 machine  screws. It
        also picks
        up the 3/4 inch diameter bungee cord pin where all the landing
        gear vertical
        loads are applied to. That pin, with the aid of the bungee
        cords, supports the
        entire weight of the nose of the aircraft while on the  ground or
        impacting
        the ground :)

        What do you think?

        Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.



Looks good, I like it. Servicing the bungee is a major undertaking in
any event; I don't see this making it much worse. It may even help, as
the brackets could be used as a leverage point to stretch the bungee
into position.

The bungee 'fills' the channel behind the strut completely, there's a
good chance of it rubbing against the screws during taxi. The screws
would need to be applied from the inside out, or maybe SS rivets could
be substituted.

--Kenny A.
http://websites.expercraft.com/kennya/

Here is the screw I would use.

Here is a pattern on the rear MM bracket and a top view dwg so one  can bend
it accurately.

Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

Can you indicate the location of the lower large hole in the strut
bracket?  Jerry

I think you are talking about the 3/4 inch pin hole that holds the bungee.
I have no accurate dimensions on that hole position. Also the brackets that hold the rear
mount will be bent up so that will be very near impossible to match
up with that hole. Also part of the flange will need to  be cutaway to clear
the 8F7-9 diagonal stiffening angle. Same for both left and right brackets.

My advice is drill all the rivet holes and  CLECO
the brackets in place. Then match drill or center punch the 3/4 inch
holes for the bungee pin one at a time. These must be a good fit to
the bungee pin so fit them in place.