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How many fork bushes?

My fork bushes are past their best and having looked at replacements, some suppliers are listing the total needed as 4 and some are listing 8 - any ideas please?

email (option): lee@twowheelstested.co.uk

Re: How many fork bushes?

I just got a set...

You need eight.

Bob

email (option): baatfam@sbcglobal.net

Re: How many fork bushes?

In light of the recent discussion about the proper materials required for proper bushings, who might be a good source for purchase quality fork link bushings from?

JDE

email (option): teladelujo@msn.com

Re: How many fork bushes?

Thanks Bob.
Any tips on fitting them?

email (option): lee@twowheelstested.co.uk

Re: How many fork bushes?

Lee Davey
Thanks Bob.
Any tips on fitting them?


Not from me, Lee...haven't tried it yet..
I read on here a couple of times of an article that exists on refurbishing the girder fork assembly. Don't know where it came from, how old it is, or who may have a copy, but I am on a quest to find it.

John, I ordered mine from Dragonfly, but I don't know if they are the "good ones" or the "not so good ones".

Bob

email (option): baatfam@sbcglobal.net

Re: How many fork bushes?

I removed my old bushes by screwing a large course tap into the bush then tapped them out from the opposite side with a drift. The new bushes can be fitted with a stepped drift or fly press or similar. The worst bit is getting them line reamed accurately. Some of us have bought new bushes from Russell's. They are new made items,but I haven't heard of anything to the detriment.
I know J O'B bought a long series 9/16 reamer. But you have to be careful of it going off line.

Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Re: How many fork bushes?

I use an M16 tap to remove my M20 fork bushes. I make the new bushes myself and made them to fit the pins without the need of reaming afterwards. Slightly to big before but a good fit after pressing them in the fork. I renew the pins myself too by the way, not that complicated but you do need a lathe. I have done all my forks and am still alive

Henk

email (option): ahum@quicknet.nl

Re: How many fork bushes?

If the forks have been incorrectly adjusted in the past..and most have..the links will have worn away the ends of the top and bottom yoke and the corresponding faces on the fork legs.
After removal of the bushes these can be repaired by building up the surface with weld and remachining back to a 'clean' face.
The top yoke and the top of the fork legs where the bushes fit should be the same width, as should the bottom yoke and the bottom of the fork legs. The faces should also be equi distant in both cases from the centerline of the fork legs/ steering stem, as appropriate.
This is neccessary to enable the links to be accurately set up on reassembly with an equal amount of free play at each end of the links.
Other makes of forks have a bronze or steel washer fitted between the link and the legs/yokes to help in accurately setting the forks and this is a worthwhile addition to the M20. The link bolts are tightened up until the washer is 'pinched' and then backed off just enough to allow them to rotate with minimum clearance.
I have also found that the lubrication is not good on the M20 forks. Not all the bushes have an individual grease nipple..some have a central nipple that feeds grease in both directions to the bushes. This tends to favour one bush more than the other with obvious implications for premature wear of the 'unlubricated' bush.
When I refurbish my forks shortly I intend to blank off the centrally positioned nipple hole and drill and tap a grease nipple hole for each bush individually as needed...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Re: How many fork bushes?

Ian, Henk, Ron, and Bob,

I ask a simple question, and, as always, I come away amazed with the wealth of informatuon I have received.... Thank you for sharing your insights and wealth of experience through this forum. 

Your depth of hard-won knowledge of the intricacies surrounding refurbishing these machines is truly impressive. 

An "old bodger" salutes you!

JDE

email (option): teladelujo@msn.com

Re: How many fork bushes?

Hi John,in answer to your question re bushing material,personally i would suggest aluminium bronze as the toughest hard wearing material commercially available,however,i have never tried reaming the stuff,its hard enough to drill.
Second choice,PB1 phosphour bronze,good commercially available bushing material.
The way i am intending to go is a little known material,it is called DYN-METAL,this has to be the ultimate bushing material,
Manufactured in various grades,it really is the best,Google it for their web -site,i dont however know the current prices,its a long time since i used any,but it is good.and was available in 13''lengths.
hope this helps,cheers Rick

email (option): richardholt@rocketmail.com

Re: How many fork bushes?

I'm exploring plastic bushes at the moment! I used these as linear bearings when I designed machinery.

email (option): britool51@hotmail.com

Re: How many fork bushes?

Ian Wright

Other makes of forks have a bronze or steel washer fitted between the link and the legs/yokes to help in accurately setting the forks and this is a worthwhile addition to the M20.


Ian...anything special about finding washers for this? Can I just go down to the local hardware store and find something?

Bob

email (option): baatfam@sbcglobal.net

Re: How many fork bushes?

Hi Bob..Theoretically any washer of the appropriate dimensions would do the job. The originals had a knurled edge to make 'twiddling' them easier. Also the outside diameter needs to be slightly bigger than the diameter of the end of the links for the same reason...Jake Robbins, the fork restoration specialist, keeps some in stock but you would have to supply the essential dimensions to enable him to look for something suitable.. With a stock washer I would go for stainless...there will be some rubbing on the faces due to fork action so plated washers wouldn't last long before rusting...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Re: How many fork bushes?

I got my mate to make me some from the same phosfor bronze that he made my bushes from at 1/16" thick.

Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Re: How many fork bushes?

Robb @ British Tool
I'm exploring plastic bushes at the moment! I used these as linear bearings when I designed machinery.


It would be nice to use a material that doesn't wear away the pins, bushes are easy to replace but pins is quite a bit of work.

Henk

email (option): ahum@quicknet.nl

Re: How many fork bushes?

robb is it polyurethane type bushing that you are trying as used in landrover suspension along the full length of the spindle

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