New spindle bushes and spindle 74' Commando

Once installed, my new spindle bushes have compressed enough to not allow easy fitment of the spindle. What is my best course of action? Is it okay to use 1000 grit wet/dry to size the bushes to the spindle or will I compromise the bush porosity and hinder proper lubrication? I am also installing the Kegler clamps. The new spindle is machined for them which was a nice surprise! Thanks for your replies !
PS- I definitely needed a new spindle.....

Jonez69 said:

The new spindle is machined for them which was a nice surprise!

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New spindles have two flats intended for use with the cotter pin cradle, these work for the Kegler clamps but that's not their intended purpose.

Will the spindle slip fit in each bushing from both sides as they are installed in the swingarm? If yes, and the spindle won't slip through, they are out of line and should be line reamed. Sanding will likely clog the pores. Reaming is better. Oversize spindles might be available for your model if needed

It has to be a very sharp reamer or it smears the bronze instead of cutting it, plus needing to cut it to a size to suit the shaft means an adjustable reamer is best but that also smears rather than cuts in bronze. I would go for a flexible honing reamer and then wash religiously.

L.A.B. said:

New spindles have two flats intended for use with the cotter pin cradle, these work for the Kegler clamps but that's not their intended purpose.

Andover Norton - SWINGING ARM SPINDLE KIT (COMMANDO 1968 TO 1974) - 13.1744

SWINGING ARM SPINDLE KIT (COMMANDO 1968 TO 1974)

andover-norton.co.uk

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Cotter pin cradle, I had not heard of this arrangement so I looked at the MK3 parts manual and see it. Learn something new every day! Thanks, L.A.B.!

BERT said:

Will the spindle slip fit in each bushing from both sides as they are installed in the swingarm?

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No, too tight.

Jonez69 said:

Cotter pin cradle, I had not heard of this arrangement so I looked at the MK3 parts manual and see it. Learn something new every day! Thanks, L.A.B.!

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AN also produce a conversion cotter pin cradle that can be fitted to pre-Mk3 models which have the longer spindles.
https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/sho...rid-cottered-adjustable-with-cotter-pin-tubes

kommando said:

It has to be a very sharp reamer or it smears the bronze instead of cutting it, plus needing to cut it to a size to suit the shaft means an adjustable reamer is best but that also smears rather than cuts in bronze. I would go for a flexible honing reamer and then wash religiously.

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Thank you! Do you have a grit recommendation? I assume I should use some light oil?

I recently did some bushings and, right or wrong, used this.

The amount of clean up was very minimal, more of a de-burr.

Jonez69 said:

Thank you! Do you have a grit recommendation? I assume I should use some light oil?

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I have a cradle with a belled out bore, so as well as the two bushes needing a 5 thou cut the centre of the cradle bore needs 5 thou taking out so I will be going 120 grit, lower if available.

Jonez69 said:

Once installed, my new spindle bushes have compressed enough to not allow easy fitment of the spindle. What is my best course of action? Is it okay to use 1000 grit wet/dry to size the bushes to the spindle or will I compromise the bush porosity and hinder proper lubrication? I am also installing the Kegler clamps. The new spindle is machined for them which was a nice surprise! Thanks for your replies !
PS- I definitely needed a new spindle.....

Click to expand...

Hindsight, mostly for others.

How I do it:

With a new spindle and new bushes, check them against each other. If the spindle is a snug slip fit, then they are good together. Then check the new spindle against the installed bushings. If it slips in all the way, should be easily, then the swingarm is ok. Now remove the old bushings and try the new bushings by hand. They need to be a tight slip fit or a very easy press fit. If not, you can sand the inside of the swingarm to get rid of any burrs or left behind old bushing, and/or sand the outside of the new bushings. Once the new bushings are in, try the spindle from the outside of each. If it goes part way in, then you pressed hard and mushroomed the other end of the bushing so relieving just the first 1/8" or so of that will fix it. If it will go all the way with some hand force but still turn in the bushings with hand force, you're OK just not ideal. If you have to drive it in or out, then a little reaming (or sanding with course paper) will fix it. Better to be course paper than fine to keep the pores of the bushings open. Do a little at a time and then cleanup very well and wet well with oil.