WHere to get new outer fork legs made??

[JAFA]

Does anyone know where I could get a new pair of fork tubes made?? The factory doesn't have any left ( they're 20 years old ), too thin to weld, can't buy second hand ones ( the last set I saw for sale were pretty average and they wanted AUD$4000 for them!! ). Someone who is first class on a CNC lathe would be the go I guess.

[Crobbo]

Do you have a set to copy?

[Rich...]

It's not going to be cheap, unless you can get good mates rates...

You need a good sample to copy from...

You need need to reverse engineer it, that is measure the whole thing up and make a drawing of it...

Then you need a material specification...

With a drawing and a material spec you can then shop around to find a machine shop that has the capabilty...


When you say fork tube are you meaning the aluminium outer piece, or the steel slider piece?

[JAFA]

Thanks Rich. I know what's involved, I'm a toolmaker and machinist by trade, but no longer in that trade. I have the originals to copy / measure, it's the aluminium outer part of USD forks that goes in the triples, not the chromed slider.

[Rich...]

They should be easy...

Nothing tricky there...

Just go at it...

Get some high spec alloy hollow bar or solid and shop it around some machine shops...

[Marty MOOSE]

They should be easy...

Nothing tricky there...

Just go at it...

Get some high spec alloy hollow bar or solid and shop it around some machine shops...

What bike is it for Jafa??

[JAFA]

Should be easy, but a couple of places ( in various countries ) that reckon they specialise in custom motorcycle suspension work, said they can't do it and don't know anyone that could!! Another thing that I've come up against a brick wall for is getting the correct colour anodising die to match the Ohlins colour. If I can ever get it all together, I might have to get a few sets made to sell to offset what's looking like going to be a pretty hefty outlay

[Rich...]

Have you looked to see if similar Ohlins have the same outer so you can swap?

[R160]

NRC engineering in Oz make fork sliders etc.

[JAFA]

NRC engineering in Oz make fork sliders etc.

Yes they do / did. I was given their details by Kel999, but when I rang them the phone number goes to some sales and marketing outfit that has never heard of NRC. Their website also doesn't work. Have they moved / been bought out / something else? I really want to get hold of them, as I have seen a new fork tube they made, it was absolutely first class and is indistinguishable from the original one, and they have the correct colour anodising die.

[R160]

Kenma Australia: Performance Motorcycle Accessories, Ventura racks & luggage, Scorpio Alarms and Bendix Brakes
Parts
Std Fork Tubes

[R160]

HVCcycle - Suspension

[rod]

That blows. I thought Ohlins would have that type of stuff ready to go - more and more bikes with Ohlins suspension would be getting restored nowdays, they'd have the drawings and the tooling.... What is the condition of your existing ones? Do you know which model R&T forks they are?

[Stephan]

Have a chat to DMH engineering in Welshpool. Norm has some good people there. They might be able to help.
DMH Engineering :: Hydraulic Cylinder Specialists :: Perth WA :: 9350 5399

[JAFA]

That blows. I thought Ohlins would have that type of stuff ready to go - more and more bikes with Ohlins suspension would be getting restored nowdays, they'd have the drawings and the tooling.... What is the condition of your existing ones? Do you know which model R&T forks they are?

They aren't R&T forks, they are the standard fitment FG9050 forks. Yeah I thought Ohlins would have something too - maybe I need to ask again, and ask if they have the drawings and can knock up a set.

Have a chat to DMH engineering in Welshpool. Norm has some good people there. They might be able to help.
DMH Engineering :: Hydraulic Cylinder Specialists :: Perth WA :: 9350 5399

I'll go and see them when I'm back in town. Thanks for the tip

[Desmo]

When you say fork tube are you meaning the aluminium outer piece, or the steel slider piece?

For those interested:
Fork tube - Chrome, TiN or DLC tube that slides into the stanchion.
Most of us will be used to 'USD' forks, this is the bit at the bottom.

Fork stanchion - the part the fork tube slides into; the stanchion holds the fork seal, dust seal, spring and dampening oil along with any valving. on the 'USD' forks we are used to, this is the upper part that is clamped in the triple clamps.

[Rich...]

For those interested:
Fork tube - Chrome, TiN or DLC tube that slides into the stanchion.
Most of us will be used to 'USD' forks, this is the bit at the bottom.

Fork stanchion - the part the fork tube slides into; the stanchion holds the fork seal, dust seal, spring and dampening oil along with any valving. on the 'USD' forks we are used to, this is the upper part that is clamped in the triple clamps.

Only in up side down forks, or are they now considered right way up forks...

[filbert]

For those interested:
Fork tube - Chrome, TiN or DLC tube that slides into the stanchion.
Most of us will be used to 'USD' forks, this is the bit at the bottom.

Fork stanchion - the part the fork tube slides into; the stanchion holds the fork seal, dust seal, spring and dampening oil along with any valving. on the 'USD' forks we are used to, this is the upper part that is clamped in the triple clamps.

Umm the tube is the hollow bit that the stanchion slides into.....

That's what you meant right?

Tube = hollow or able to contain stuff.

Stanchion = upright post.

Conventional forks the stanchion connects to the frame, USD forks the stanchion is connected to the axle.

[JAFA]

I got a copy of the factory Ohlins parts book for these forks, and it is officially called the "fork leg outer".

I need the part that on USD forks bolts into the triples.

How can something so easy, be so differcult?!?! All I want to do is fix up my old bike

[kel999]

Forgot this one too Jafa...

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