TOPIC:

Pete,
I saw Bob today and gave him the part numbers you requested I ask him for, he doesn't think he has them but he is going to double check to make sure.

On the brake parts Bob did say that he has come across some caliper service kits recently, including pistons I think!

Leigh

I'm not having much joy searching the interwebby for those part numbers either.

I'll have to get out the vernier caliper and see if I can measure up to find matching standard bearings *before* I extract the old ones.

Might be best to take the dog bones to Revs and see what John thinks.

The rear brake isn't too bad. With a bit more cleaning up and new pads fitted I'm sure it will pass an MoT.

Wondering how bad the taper rollers in the head stock will be now (advisory on slightly notchy)and if replacements are available

A good job I have another one

Pete,
Bob has found two of the part numbers, he requests you give him a ring.

I know he has taper bearings for the head stock as I asked him that yesterday.

Zion motorcycles have offered me a refund because Bitubo can't supply the correct shock for the Crono! Now that's disappointing!

Leigh

What's the length eye-to-eye/centre-to-centre on the shock? Might be an alternative somewhere. The common swop on my pop-up Katana is a Ducati Monster shock so there maybe something out there already (and cheaper) that might suit.

Length eye to eye is 280mm, the one that Bitubo sent was the same dimension but the lower fitting is the problem. In position the shock lower mount has limited clearance to the R/H dog bone, the bolt that mounts the shock to the suspension linkage has a reduced head to clear the dog bone. The original lower mount is 36mm wide overall, the Bitubo was a few mm bigger but the bolt head wouldn't clear the dog bone, even after turning the head down some more.

I'm not convinced all is lost as there are so many places selling these Bitubo shocks, might have been a bit of confusion between Zion and Bitubo so I'll get my refund and try to communicate direct with Bitubo.

Leigh

Well the new needle roller bearings went in the dog bones OK (oven, freezer, big bolt and bearing driver disc) but I (nor Bob) can find new inner races. Fowlers list the part number as out of stock and unfortunately the dimensions don't match any SKF or other manufacturer's races that I can find (10 ID 16 OD 17 wide). The play is much less with the new bearings though.

Fowlers do have the bushes for the link listed as GSM parts by the part number. No oil seals but they should be possible to match. I'm reluctant to get the old seals and bushes out though as driving the bushes out is going to be a bit more of a problem than the dog bone bearings. They came out easily with my blow torch, shock and unlock spray, old socket and lump hammer technique.

There is a bit of slop between the bolt and bushes though so they ought to be replaced while I have it apart. Perhaps I'll order the bushes first and make sure they arrive. If all else fails then I can take the link to Revs to give it the hydraulic press treatment.

Still can't get the rear axle through its bearing but it has no play and spins smoothly so it can stay put. New rear pads fitted and noticed no E-clip on the pin. The parts list doesn't show one but I don't trust it without. Same as on the front caliper but I just got a pack of 4mm E-clips off Ebay.

Treated the swing arm to a lick of POR15 paint where the old black paint was peeling off. I'm not going to take it off to do it properly as the swing arm bearings are fine. I don't want this to turn in to a basket case project that never gets finished.

Keeps me busy in between trying to sort out the failed ignition on the old Morini.