Chroming the front suspension unit on a Dream.... Thoughts?

wombat200 · Post by **wombat200** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 6:42 am

Hi All,

The pivoting arm/loop on my Dream (that forms the leading link suspension & holds both shocks) needs chroming.

Thing is, I'm unsure what to do aboutn the bakelite bushes on the pivot-points. Sure, the steel bushes slide out, but they leave a bakelite-type sleeve behind, which probably won't press out without destroying it.

What have others done here? I'm guessing the only real solution is turn up some bronze bushes & press them in......?

Thanks!

Rob.

wombat200 · Post by **wombat200** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 12:49 am

Anyone??

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:11 am

Rob

I have the same task to do on two dreams. I have not had time to check out the arm but it seems that we would have to make up a tool which would fit the bush but have a step on it so that it will support the bush as it's pressed out.

Plan B would be to make new phosphor bronze bushes, exactly as you say. I'll try and have a look at the parts this morning. I made new bushes in phos bronze for my CL77 forks to replace the aluminum ones so that's probably the best option here.

G

wombat200 · Post by **wombat200** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:16 am

Thanks G - the bushes themselves appear so thin-walled that I don't think any amount of support will help - I reckon they'll just collapse. I'm going to take one up to a mate of mine with a lathe & the suitable skill & see if he thinks it viable to do in bronze......

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:50 am

Rob

If it can be done in plastic, it will be straightforward in bronze. It's just quite costly as you end up turning most of the material away.

G

wombat200 · Post by **wombat200** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:58 am

I think I'd be tempted to leave out the steel inner bush & turn up a one-piece bush in bronze......

nc_rider · Post by **nc_rider** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:43 am

If you end up making bronze bushings have your friend make a decent sized run of them and stick them on ebay every couple of weeks. I'll most likely need a set and I'm sure there will be others who need them.