Fork tube sleeve replacement ideas

[Minimichael]

Anybody know of any diy ideas, or universal fork tube vendor for outer tree tube ID of 1 inch, and inner fork down tube OD of 7/8"?

I'm thinking vinyl would be the right material, as opposed to acrylic or polycarbonate or carbon fiber. I'd want it to be flanged if possible, and think I could score it along one side. I'm willing to experiment since they seem to be difficult to find.

Open to any advice you all may have.. tanks.

 

[sparkwizard]

How long do they need to be?

My brain is seeing 35mm film canisters, but they are only about 1 1/4 inch tall.

 

[ole4]

Make some bronze bushes. You can get material from McMaster Carr I’ll post pics later.

 

[Minimichael]

How long do they need to be?

My brain is seeing 35mm film canisters, but they are only about 1 1/4 inch tall.

About ten inches, going off the original.

 

[f4radar]

How about a Heat Shrink. Layer as required.

 

[kayde]

Here's a diy po boy fix for those fragile plastic shock tubes, might spark other ideas

 

[ole4]

making some bushes

 

[Minimichael]

making some bushes

I'd been wondering about this, Ole4, because Google searches keep bringing up bronze "bushes" like those flanged ones I see at Menards. There must be bikes out there with them, huh? I already buy and use them for axle spacers and such. Nevertheless, I see two problems here; they're short and they're thick. The long plastic straws I'm replacing are almost ten inches long, and they're only about 1/16" thick. So I'm thinking any bronze bushing wall that's thin enough to fit is undoubtedly going to wear and warp. The only fix there would be to fit a bronze sheath inside the whole length of the tree top tube. ...
...
And now I'm thinking why not. Even if it's not snug inside the tree I could secure it at the same bolt hole fastening the springer tube inside...

I'll check McMaster ..

Thanks all

 

[Minimichael]

These are all good ideas, btw. And garbage picker in me def agrees with the pill bottle solution

They'd be free, all up and down the block!

 

[sparkwizard]

35 mm film canister...scroll down...

https://www.amazon.com/35mm-Caliber...Nv83bhQMVbrhaBR0a6grQEAQYBCABEgL6lvD_BwE&th=1

 

[ole4]

do you have an old one or the dimensions of it? I would think the bronze would last the longest. you could also get Delrin which is very machinable.

 

[Minimichael]

do you have an old one or the dimensions of it? I would think the bronze would last the longest. you could also get Delrin which is very machinable.

Yeah I'm liking this idea.

 

[sparkwizard]

If outer tube is 1 in. OD, and inner tube is 7/8 OD, there does not seem to be enough room for a bronze bushing.
Cut a Clorox bottle or a milk jug is what yours truly would do.

 

[ole4]

Give the complete description what is the length and was it split? Does it have a lip. Looking for a description that you could make the part from. Do you know the actual thickness, guessing 1/16 correct?

 

[Ding Ding]

@Lowrider chassis

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1346912122...zQmV7kOQn6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Flat Head Phil]

How about PVC tail pieces like yer picture, cut lengthwise to squeeze them to the OD you need.

 

[Cuda54]

What about brass shim stock cut it as long and wide as you need then take hose claps and shape it to the tube. That way you get e snug fit as shim stock is all different thickness. And brass will be smooth for it to slide on too. You could grease it if you want to make it last longer.

 

[Minimichael]

Give the complete description what is the length and was it split? Does it have a lip. Looking for a description that you could make the part from. Do you know the actual thickness, guessing 1/16 correct?

Keeping in mind their age and condition, I'm rounding as much as 0.007"...
8-7/8" long.
1" OD, 7/8" ID.
Material is approx. 3/64" thick.
Gap is about 1/16" - 5/64" wide.

 

[f4radar]

Those look like they’d clean up and work fine.

 

[Minimichael]

What about brass shim stock cut it as long and wide as you need then take hose claps and shape it to the tube. That way you get e snug fit as shim stock is all different thickness. And brass will be smooth for it to slide on too. You could grease it if you want to make it last longer.

Yes, and it could take the worry out of spending $50 on plastic that may fit too snuggly. I've run into that problem before.