isolastic spacer question

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rgrigutis

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bought the hemmings iso conversion kit and new rubbers. disassembly of the front revealed bushing holes WAY off center, washers presumably powdered as there was a lot of powder and no washers in sight. the spacer i pulled out had a very coarse surface, i guess, to hold the buffers in place as there were no circlips or grooves to accept them. should i reuse this spacer or get the springclip version.

any tips on getting the bushes and buffers into the bore without the factory tool or is it a wrestling match with a lot silicone grease.

as always, thanks in advance, rick
 
Don't reuse that trashed out stuff; go with all new.

You should have taken this opportunity to upgrade to the vernier adjustable setup!

An arbor press is the ultimate installation tool; in the absence of a press, you can work them in with lubricant and modest persuasion (steady pressure is better than dead blows).
 
disassembly of the front revealed bushing holes WAY off center
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By this you mean the metal tube was not centered in the rubber buffer? Not surprising or unusual for original isolastics after 40 years. Definitely time to replace.

washers presumably powdered as there was a lot of powder and no washers in sight.
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Typical for the older style polyurethane washer. Be sure to replace with the bronze impregnated PTFE type.

should i reuse this spacer or get the springclip version
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The springclip version makes it somewhat easier to properly locate the inner buffers, but once installed serve little purpose. I personally would re-use what you have (with new buffers of course).

any tips on getting the bushes and buffers into the bore without the factory tool or is it a wrestling match with a lot silicone grease.
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I have never used the factory tool. Make sure the tube is clean and smooth and use rubber lubricant on the buffers. I start the rubbers using an old screwdriver that is ground blunt and rounded. A section of tubing that just fits inside the tube can be used to press or drive the buffers into position.

Be aware that early (pre-'70) Commandos can have a steel sleeve which rust to the tube and can be nearly impossible to remove.
 
[a few bits of rubber hose for spacers work just as well ./quote]

Wow! Simple and elegant! I could kick myself for having never thought of that! Great tip, Ludwig!
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So the Hemmings kit is adjustable, but still uses all the various inner bits instead of one moulded part?

Seems like a lot of fiddling, but I'm guessing the price is lower...
 
grandpaul said:
So the Hemmings kit is adjustable, but still uses all the various inner bits instead of one moulded part?

Seems like a lot of fiddling, but I'm guessing the price is lower...
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...and you don't have to modify the front tube.

Anybody have the inside diameter of the front tube and the outside diameter of the bushings handy? I took apart the rear Iso yesterday (washers gone, shims corroded to about an 1/8 thick, rubber in amazingly good condition) and the front is pending. My vague plan for inserting the bushings is to make a trip to the plumbing shop to see if I can get the belled end off a PVC pipe of correct dimension to use as a service tool. If the diameters are wrong I have made a similar tool for another application by heating the end of some PVC pipe with a heat gun while screwing down a hose clamp on it until I got a restriction of appropriate size. Haven't tried it yet, so-o-o-o...maybe?

Russ
 
rvich said:
...and you don't have to modify the front tube.
Russ
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I sell a stainless adjustable set that doesn't require modifying the front tube, for less than the Andover replacement bit sell new. Very good quality rubber, as well.
 
thanks for the feedback guys. ludwig gets the gold star. ludwig, i see you are in belgium. altho ive not had the pleasure of visiting belgium im a bit of a belgiophile. 2 belgium sheepdogs, a groenendale and a turv, 5 browning a5s mfg by fn and 2 browning hi powers also mfg in belgium. a real addiction to belgium chocolate and belgium beer. someday soon ive got to get one of my nortons over to europe for a long range tour.

i pulled the front isos off my 2a project and the spacer had the same rough surface as the 72 but had the circlips also. the buffer bores had disintegrated to the point of clearing the the circlips and must have just been bouncing around. ill clean it all up and use ludwigs hose spacers spacers. the new bushings are soft and should compress enough by hand to install. good weather is right around the corner, gotta get my old ass in gear.
 
rgrigutis said:
thanks for the feedback guys. ludwig gets the gold star. ludwig, i see you are in belgium. altho ive not had the pleasure of visiting belgium im a bit of a belgiophile. 2 belgium sheepdogs, a groenendale and a turv, 5 browning a5s mfg by fn and 2 browning hi powers also mfg in belgium. a real addiction to belgium chocolate and belgium beer. someday soon ive got to get one of my nortons over to europe for a long range tour.

I to have a great respect for Belgium Bikers I once crashed a bike in the south of France and the bikers came out from there camp site and helped the wife and I out and let us stay on there pitch Great Lads.
On the subject of iso my adjustable ones from Norvil the bolt is sloppy to say the least should I rebush/sleeve it, also reading instructions should be adjusted tight from the right side .Is that as you sit on the bike or look at it.Cheers
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The through bolt should be a clean, snug, sliding fit through the buffer rubbers or one-piece isolastic and the frame mounting tabs. Any slop there and you've only fixed part of the problem.
 
grandpaul said:
The through bolt should be a clean, snug, sliding fit through the buffer rubbers or one-piece isolastic and the frame mounting tabs. Any slop there and you've only fixed part of the problem.
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One end is reasonable the other is as loose as a goose and Ive got two sets I will have to sleeve them I wish I wasnt involved gave up brit bikes years ago because of bad ill fitting parts, wrong bolts ,experts that try to rip people off I want a Z1 again.

Sorry about that nothing seems to change. :oops: So this right and left is it on or looking at the bike Thanks
 
those fries look just yummy especially as it's dinnertime. oddly enough we've got a belgian themed restaurant/brewhouse not far from where i live. there special appetixer is pomme frittes served w/ 10 sauces on a carousel. incredible. i've been after him to try and brew a lambic but so far he only carries it in bottles, pricy stuff. maybe i'll give it a try this spring.
 
They are not Fries, they are Chips! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
We call them chips here in Oz as well. Though as the Golden Arches infiltrate all aspects of our society a lot of kids are getting confused. They know what Fish and Chips are however they run into problems when McDonalds insist on calling them fries! Same thing with Tomato sauce and ketchup.
 
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