New Fork Bushes

[Spout]

Since BMW have abandoned me after the warranty period expired and my pleading got me no where ......."We don't have any issues with the HP2 forks sir", "Then why have you happily replaced mine 4 times if there's no problem?" etc......I've had to dive in and try and sort them myself.

Even though I noticed play after only 1500 miles it's been over 10,000 miles since my forks were replaced, and the steering was getting somewhat erratic to say the least.

As I wasn't sure of the extent of the wear (legs and sliders or just the bushes?) I just bought one set of bushes and seal and decided to try on the loosest fork - the RHS.

I managed the job with no special tools, and found no visible wear to the forks, and replacing the bushes has taken up all the slack (yet to test ride though ). A surprisingly simple cure.

Only took a couple of hours to do, and slowed by the fact that filling new oil is a seperate operation, the fork being rebuilt and put back on the bike (to tighten up the lower drain bolt thingy) before being taken off again to refill.
BTW the old oil was in a very poor state - very dirty, with signs of water ingress I think I'll be looking at a 6000 mile change interval from now on.

Altogether a very productive afternoons work.

I'll have to do the LHS now

 

[BamBam]

Nice Job Spout
So why do they wear out so quick, have BMW built them on the cheep, do we need to get a man with a machine to make bits? Or by upgrading say the bushes will that result in warn stantions?

Mav what has been done to yours and how many miles are on them now any wear?

So many questions

 

[(RIP) philgunn]

Good work Sprout ,

Must pull mine apart in the next few weeks
I have entered the old Dog hp2 in the Rallye Dalmatia
i have heavier fork Springs in , must see if i can get some plushness back into it

philgunn

ps what fork oil and Qty are you using ?

 

[Spout]

what fork oil and Qty are you using ?

I couldn't find any info on what grade to use

So I've stuck SAE 10 in, and quant was about 640ml, which gave me a dip of 90mm (BMW say 70, Mazorchi say 80 -100mm). As I say, I've not ridden it yet, but even if it's the wrong grade it's gotta be better than the sh*t that was in there

PS I used this guide off Advrider : http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=482004

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Found the thread and pictures on advrider thanks for the link!

How much was the bushes and part numbers would be great in terms of what are required to use

Mine has done about 15k after the replacement and I just know they need to be looked at. Might as well fix them up whilst at it

 

[Spout]

How much was the bushes and part numbers would be great in terms of what are required to use

Through BMW:

31.42.7.692.149 £41.01 for 2

31.42.7.692.147 £30.61 for 2

31.42.7.692.150 £33.42 for the 2.

So that's about £50 a leg. I'm sure the parts can be sourced cheaper

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Through BMW:

31.42.7.692.149 £41.01 for 2

31.42.7.692.147 £30.61 for 2

31.42.7.692.150 £33.42 for the 2.

So that's about £50 a leg. I'm sure the parts can be sourced cheaper

Maybe a fork specialist or someone could do them cheaper as a set for the HP2 fraternity

£100 for the rebuild is still alot cheaper than new forks

 

[HP2 KENOBE]

My bike is out of warranty since Aug '09 but got new forks before it ran out.Anyone out there know if there is a fork oil available with high lubricating properties to help avoid this premature wear?
Or maybe an additive???

 

[(RIP) maverick]

My bike is out of warranty since Aug '09 but got new forks before it ran out.Anyone out there know if there is a fork oil available with high lubricating properties to help avoid this premature wear?
Or maybe an additive???

I think Phigunn had some success with a set of progressive springs and not sure what grade of oil is being used. Most of us are now at a point where we out of warranty and from here on the experimenting will start and progress to hopefully a nice easy solution

 

[Mav]

Nice Job Spout
So why do they wear out so quick, have BMW built them on the cheep, do we need to get a man with a machine to make bits? Or by upgrading say the bushes will that result in warn stantions?

Mav what has been done to yours and how many miles are on them now any wear?

So many questions

Mine were rebuilt when I bought my HP2 at 3000 miles. They were rebuilt by Dr Shox to put rebound and compression cartridges in both legs. With that done, they lasted 19k miles of touring, commuting and off-road abuse with zero servicing.

When they finally failed, the legs needed recoating There's a suspension specialist near me who tunes SM race bikes. He stripped the forks completely, got the legs rechromed, rather than the fancier and weaker coating they come with and replaced the seals etc. This cost £400... They now feel a lot better than originals.

 

[Spout]

Bastids

After less than 500 road miles there's play back in the forks.

Which means that the new bushes are made of cheese or the the legs sliders are obviously worn. So back to square one - new forks needed.

Bastids bastids bastids

 

[Mav]

Bastids

After less than 500 road miles there's play back in the forks.

Which means that the new bushes are made of cheese or the the legs sliders are obviously worn. So back to square one - new forks needed.

Bastids bastids bastids

Sorry to hear it chap

There's a guy down here in Worcester who can rebuild your forks including recoating the legs. He did mine for 350. Let me know if you want the details.

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Bastids

After less than 500 road miles there's play back in the forks.

Which means that the new bushes are made of cheese or the the legs sliders are obviously worn. So back to square one - new forks needed.

Bastids bastids bastids

Damn that is not good Just when I got all excited and hopefull for a cure

 

[Spout]

Yeah. Things were looking good - no movement. Must of been some subsequent "bedding in" though

Wonder if a F650 Dakar front will go on.

 

[Timpo]

Through BMW:

31.42.7.692.149 £41.01 for 2

31.42.7.692.147 £30.61 for 2

31.42.7.692.150 £33.42 for the 2.

So that's about £50 a leg. I'm sure the parts can be sourced cheaper

http://www.ashleypower.co.uk/glacier_metric_plain.htm

Glacier bushes are a trade name, and there are plenty of other manufacturers of the bushes.
There are also some special application bushes available.
Have you the old ones Spout, or better still a spare set of new.... get your vernier caliper on them and look at cross reference.

Timpo.

 

[(RIP) philgunn]

interesting

if cheap i would take a set
a lot of work to get the right size etc

philgunn

 

[Flipfly]

Yeah. Things were looking good - no movement. Must of been some subsequent "bedding in" though

Wonder if a F650 Dakar front will go on.

I've got one you can try but I wouldn't fancy it personally

 

[Mav]

Another useful guide for changing the fork seals... only a lot more attractive

http://www.easterndirt.com/?p=6

 

[BamBam]

Bastids

After less than 500 road miles there's play back in the forks.

Which means that the new bushes are made of cheese or the the legs sliders are obviously worn. So back to square one - new forks needed.

Bastids bastids bastids

Feck bugger Dam.............and bollards

When the bash plate comes off tomorrow for the next chapter in, The life of a Whunderlich exrem , guess I better check my forks again.. not looking foward to it....
Mav considering the life your HP leads it sounds like it's the way to go

 

[Spout]

I priced up new forks today.

£1700 the pair

That's about 25p a mile