Suspension bushes

[lukeyc3993]

Has anyone got an alternative to having some made? They are now discontinued from Yamaha and I desperately need some

Luke

[squirrel_hunter]

Have some made, that's what I did.

Alternatively if you are looking for the bushes for the early fork type linkage then from what I discovered you are looking for something called metalastic bush. In theory just a case of finding a supplier who can match the sizes. Trouble is I never found anyone local, the internet might be more useful, but as I said at the start I just had some made.

I know that metalastic bush is still produced and used, the after-market swingarm I have for my MSX has them in (they will be replaced with needle roller bearings though). That said I never really considered it at the time but I suppose it could be possible to convert to normal roller bearings, not sure of the effect that might have.

The only other suggestion I would have is that I think the later type of linkage used normal bearings so you could convert. But check their availability first.

[Need4speed]

in general, a manufacturer applying known components, if possible, to keep costs down. Or use the same spare parts in several places in other contexts.
Aftermarket MX is ernormt because you replace just these components several times a year, so I would explore mx world'm sure you can find something useful - as example here:
http://www.allballsracing.com/media/productshowcase/AllBallsNeedlebearingssizechart.pdf

[silverstrom]

Which bushes do you need? These are #24 on the parts list http://www.ebay.ca/itm/YAMAHA-TZR250-BUCHSE-90386-18149-2St-2Pc-BUSH-SPECL-NYLON-Rear-SwingArm-/221840287622?hash=item33a6b62786

EBay seller Miyabee had the complete 1KT linkage for sale a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't expensive, and as far as I know didn't sell. Might be worth asking http://www.ebay.ca/usr/miyabeepluscoltd-jp

[squirrel_hunter]

For that price of the NOS your not far off what I paid a local engineering firm to produce me the whole set!

[lukeyc3993]

Are they hardened or did u have them made hardened or just as steel

[squirrel_hunter]

I honestly can't remember. The only details I still have are in my bikes build thread.

[Need4speed]

Outher Bushing could be made in bronze (same material ad in the powervalve bushings)
inner tube stainless steel.
Would be a resonable choice 
ps:
the cause of the damage to the existing is usually lack of lubrication - a consideration could be to mount grease nipples on the joints then your bushings will last forever if you use the grease nipples regularly. (picture from my TDR)

[TZR1ktF3]

Looked this over last night doesnt the existing nipple work?

[Need4speed]

yes - if used 

[jools]

Is it just sufficient to drill and tap (cleaning up the inside face of swarf) for the nipple or do you need a small channel for the grease to distribute ?

[Need4speed]

you can do at channel, but I just pump grease in until new fresh grease come out i both sides.

[nronketti]

I just dug this topic up as my suspension bushes are, like everyone elses I guess, no longer in the first flush of youth. So, I drifted them out, and measured them up:

Inside diameter: 18mm
Outside diameter: 24mm
Length: 18mm

Looking around, I found this: http://www.bearingboys.co.uk/?catid=1158&att1=18mm&att2=24mm&att3=

I think there's two options: Use the 30mm ones and machine them down to 20mm and run them without the oil seals, or use the 16mm ones. As I don't have access to a lathe at the mo I'll probably go with option 2. Although I suppose I could attempt to shorten them with the angle grinder. What's the worst that could happen?

I'll report back on how it works. Could save people a few quid to use comercially available stuff rather than getting bushes machined specifically or paying through the nose for NOS bushes from eBay. Which are made of plastic and will wear out anyway.

For what it's worth, I don't think I'll be reusing the oil seals either:

[nronketti]

Blimey. That was quick. Ordered these yesterday afternoon: http://www.getyourbearings.co.uk/plain-oilite/am182418.html

£2.50 each, plus a couple of quid postage. Turned up today. Will need to get some heat into the relay arm to fit the bushes, but the collars are a lovely slip fit in there. More pictures to come as and when it's all done. In the end I went for the 18mm bushes rather than turning down the 30mm ones:

[nronketti]

Last post on the subject - fitted the new bushes (just needed a bit of heat in the arm and a squeeze in a vice), bolted it all back together, and the play that I had in my rear suspension is now gone.

Happy with that.