Now moving on to the next issue with my rebuild - I bought new stanchions and bushes and imagined I'd have the front wheel on in minutes.... the stanchions won't fit into the sliders. One will go in about 5cm, the other not at all, yet the sliders look clean inside and are not obviously deformed. Were there ever different sizes, maybe pre-Commando? Could these be machined by someone competent? New ones are pretty expensive.
Fork sliders not fitting
- Thread starter GraemeH
- Start date
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- Nov 20, 2004
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Different models had different length stanchions but all Commando ones should be the same. I assume it's the lower bush that's the problem rather than the stanchion?
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- Feb 10, 2009
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This is a guess: the bottom bushes are oversized.
Measure the bits accurately, micrometers and bore gauges needed etc. You will then know where the problem is. Where did the bits come from? there are a lot of rogue stanchions and bushes out there, sold for less than half the cost of AN bits. AN stuff is made from the correct seamless tube. Not ERW tube that the shite stuff is made from.
Yes, it's the lower bush that won't fit. The bike didn't have stanchions, only the sliders so nothing to compare with. Can't remember where I got the fork kit with the seals and bushes, but probably a supplier here in Austria
www.vintage-motorcycle.com
Will check with him what the origin was and find someone who can maybe turn down the bushes.
Home | BRITISH Only Austria Fahrzeughandel GmbH
www.vintage-motorcycle.com
Will check with him what the origin was and find someone who can maybe turn down the bushes.
Maybe see if the old bushes will slide in.
Also measure ODs of your old bushes and new bushes.
I did my forks about a year ago and the lower bushes would not install as their inside diameters were too tight.
I got a set from a friend and they installed easily.
There is variability amongst suppliers (to be polite) but I feel that we are very lucky to be able to get parts for our
old bikes!!
Dennis
Also measure ODs of your old bushes and new bushes.
I did my forks about a year ago and the lower bushes would not install as their inside diameters were too tight.
I got a set from a friend and they installed easily.
There is variability amongst suppliers (to be polite) but I feel that we are very lucky to be able to get parts for our
old bikes!!
Dennis
Fast Eddie
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Not worth it IMO.
New correct ones are available off the shelf and are not expensive.
Getting them turned down might cost nearly as much as buying new ones! And you run all sorts of risks of introducing more errors.
Old bushes not available. Got the bike in boxes with plenty bits missing.
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- Jan 14, 2004
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Andover Norton - FORK BOTTOM BUSH (NMT 1048)(B2/606) - 06.7519
FORK BOTTOM BUSH (NMT 1048)(B2/606)
andover-norton.co.uk
Andover Norton - CIRCLIP (NM14298) for fork stanchion lower bush - 06.7636
CIRCLIP (NM14298) for fork stanchion lower bush
andover-norton.co.uk
Before you go to the trouble to change them, have you lubed the sliders and bushes with fork oil?
They are snug fit..
Last edited:
Shelby-Right
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If you have a lathe or friend with a lathe, and a micrometer and a half decent telegage you could polish a few tenths off them, my old BSA ones were tight but they were brass from memory , it depends how much to come off,. 002". 005". ??? Otherwise a machine shop with a crank grinder or cylindrical grinder, can do that easy. Cheers
marshg246
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- Jul 12, 2015
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I use the bushes from AN and from Wassell. I've never had a problem with either bottom bushing. Sometimes, the top bushing is a little too tight from both so I sand them a little. I have had sliders where some gorilla damaged them by pounding the top bushing in and mushroomed the top edge of the slider a little - that was easily relieved with 400-grit sandpaper.
Double check that the circlip is not deformed - it must not protrude beyond the bottom bush.
Double check that the circlip is not deformed - it must not protrude beyond the bottom bush.
