Forum

[Jassie]

Hello to all, I need to change the top bushings in my interceptor mk1a's front forks. The orignal bushing seems to be of brass. I got new once from India but they happen to be cast iron. What I want to know is are they ok to use are they going to wear my fork tubes out faster? What are the pros and cons brass vscast. May be I worry too much.

[Norm]

Jassie, I can't understand why you would waste your time fitting cheap Indian rubbish to an Interceptor when you can buy the correct parts from our Hosts

[another Allan]

I don't think that there is any doubt that cast iron bushes are likely to wear faster than bronze, as well as wearing out the surfaces they bear on. From the collective experience, it would also seem that Indian produced gear is likely to be 'variable' in quality anyway, so Norm's suggestion is a good one.

[another Allan]

I said bronze, but the same applies to brass.

[PeteF]

I can't imagine the originals are brass - they'll be bronze or even iolite.

[simon]

Iolite? Do tell, is this some sort of aluminium silicon alloy? Cast iron isn't necessarily a bad choice. It's the recommended material for valve guides on side valves, possibly because of the temperature issues. However I'd rather go bronze on the fork bushes mos def.

[neddy]

Count your losses and throw them in the bin.

[Paul M H]

As others have said Hitchcocks have them in parts book top left. Bronze £14 around quid each its not worth using anything else then having to spend more in a few years sorting it again.

[Dennis C]

Modern exhaust valves are made of stainless steel and cast iron guides should not be used with them unless the valve stems are plated.

As others have said bin them and fit the correct Phosphor Bronze bushes, you will regret it if you use the cast ones.

[another Allan]

I think Iolite was a typo and should be Oilite, which is basically sintered bronze.