Cosentino Fork Bushing Kit by NYC Norton

I purchased the Cosentino cartridge dampers mid of last year so they would be on hand for installation when the forks got to the top of the build list. I planned to use the long upper bronze bushings, new lower bushings on new stanchions with new sliders (gulp$$$). The triple clamps proved true.

I put the front suspension together with out the innards to see what they would feel like. I worked each leg and wasn't impressed with the stiction, but figured they would break-in. Next I put the front axle in place to see if there was any binding. No binding but high effort a few tight spots and notchy. I went back to working each slider with while adding the 5w fork oil that was supplied with the cartridges, I put the oil on the outside of the stanchions and on the inside of the sliders; not much of an improvement, but figured the differences would work out during break-in and require a few fork oil changes (PIA).

I was on NYC Norton's website and found the following:

https://nycnorton.com/product/fork-bushing-kit/

I called Kenny and had a set on the way here. The kit replaces the upper and lower bushings with Teflon coated equivalents. The kit also includes seal holders w/double lip seals, "O" rings for sealing the holders to the sliders (no more mysterious paper "gasket"). The kit also comes with new boots and instructions.

I used the same trial assembly protocol and was positively amazed at how easily and smoothly each slider moved it's full stroke. Putting the axle in place the forks felt more like a slide trombone; very impressive!

With adjustable damping Ikon's on the rear, swingarm clamps, new ISOs, the Teflon bushings and the Consentino adjustable fork cartridges I should be able to set the suspension for the 40 to 70 MPH range I like to ride in with some room at both ends for a modicum of safety.

Hats off to Kenny and Consentino. I encourage anyone rebuilding the front suspension to give these parts a look.

As a disclaimer, I have no financial interest or connection to either NYC Norton or Consentino Engineering.

Best

Glad to hear that - coincidentally I just ordered that kit yesterday.

i looked at it, need to get the bike running first before throwing more money at work area just completed,

Not really sure what you are getting at but......if I read you right you are frustrated that someone elses install gave the result you want, but your's didn't. The difference being they used teflon bushes.

I have no reason to assume you are not competent, your posts generally demonstrate the opposite. So my comments are only aimed at finding the root of the problem.

Obviously it is important that the bushings weren't damaged when pressed in, and that the stanchions are straight and round and both of correct size and tolerance.

If you strip the legs can you see the high spots that are causing the binding?

Are they on the bushings or the stanchions?

Where did you source the stanchions?

And be prepared for jseng to show pretty rapidly here with a suggestion of Turcite

SteveA said:

Not really sure what you are getting at but......if I read you right you are frustrated that someone elses install gave the result you want, but your's didn't. The difference being they used teflon bushes.

Click to expand...

The NYC Norton's bushing and seal kit was developed with the Consentino cartridge conversion in mind, it wasn't available when I purchased the cartridges. I'm sure that I could have gotten by with the bronze bushings, they would have broken in. I did notice, however, that the stiction changed when I rotated the bushing leading me to believe that they were a bit non concentric. The stanchions came from A/N, they were a bit rough on the inside, but no issues with the outside; the outside diameter measured uniformly from top to bottom and they rolled flat.

I could have grafted an Olins front suspension from a Ducati, but I am keen to keep this Norton in as much British clothing as I can; all the signature Norton features are represented from the seat knobs to the outer primary cover to the stainless mudguards. I'll be posting build pictures before June.

Best

Holy Smokes. Thank you, Bill!

I know your opinion has good currency and appreciate the unsolicited props. You will find the suspension so much more responsive to small changes now that the bushings are running smooth.

Cosentino makes it easy - this is a damn good kit, and works. We wouldn't fit anything else.


-Kenny