The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: Bob_Roller on October 22, 2009, 07:31:05 PM

Title: Shock Absorber Bushings
Post by: Bob_Roller on October 22, 2009, 07:31:05 PM
Anyone know of a source for the rubber bushings at the top and bottom bolt holes on the rear shock absorbers .

RealOEM shows them available, $18 for the upper bushing, and $39 for the lower bushing, for those prices, I would be tempted to replace the shock absorbers first !

De-greased, and washed the LS for the first time today, and noticed the rubber bushings are dry rotted and falling apart .
Title: Re: Shock Absorber Bushings
Post by: montmil on October 22, 2009, 07:58:44 PM
Have you checked Motobins? Their bits are usually available and better priced.   Monte
Title: Re: Shock Absorber Bushings
Post by: Bob_Roller on October 22, 2009, 08:30:52 PM
Motobins wants just under $50 for the four bushings, plus shipping, and the currency exchange charge that Citibank imposes, it looks like I might be better off looking for new shocks .

I'll check my boxes 'o parts tomorrow, I think I have an old set of shocks for the Guzzi, can't remember what condition the bushings looked like .
Title: Re: Shock Absorber Bushings
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on October 22, 2009, 11:03:53 PM
Check with Hagon (http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/Hagon.html).  I'm pretty sure they custom build everything before it goes out, re: the fittings.

They may have them.
Title: Re: Shock Absorber Bushings
Post by: bruce_launceston on October 23, 2009, 12:28:52 AM
Could you get them machined out of teflon or similar, the raw material would be cheap enough if you have access to a lathe. I don't see why they need to be rubber anymore.
Title: Re: Shock Absorber Bushings
Post by: Bob_Roller on October 23, 2009, 08:56:54 AM
I've always wondered why the bushings ever needed to made of rubber, auto shock absorbers included .
Title: Re: Shock Absorber Bushings
Post by: Altritter on October 24, 2009, 11:21:47 AM
Quote
Check with Hagon.  

Last time I corresponded, their R65 shocks (with bushings) were $108 each (plus unspecified shipping). (See the "short shocks" threads on various boards on this site for shock lengths and other info on Hagons.) Also, he will supply longer or shorter shock lengths as you wish.

Check your shackle widths on the bike. Hagon's "standard" width is slightly wider than one of the shackles (upper or lower, I can't recall) on some R65. Dave Quinn, the Hagon dealer in the US, will custom-fit the shock width for any bike.
Title: Re: Shock Absorber Bushings
Post by: Bob_Roller on October 24, 2009, 11:36:10 AM
If found the original set of BOGE shocks for the LS, yesterday in the boxes 'o parts, just need to press them out, they look like they are in good shape (a lot better than the ones that are installed now), I guess I need to get the bike out on the road, and see if the currently installed shocks are still roadworthy .

No identifying marks on them, and they are not a rebuildable type .
Title: Re: Shock Absorber Bushings
Post by: MrRiden on October 24, 2009, 11:44:07 AM
Bob,
NAPA should be able to get bushings from MOOG or another supplier. They are available also from shops that cater to the off roading crowd. Just a matter of matching them up. Hot Rod shops can also get some really nice synth [non rubber] items in your choice of colors. Just like bearings and seals bushings are of standard designs and can be sourced in several ways.
rich
Many styles to choose from. Catalog listings show I.D. and O. D. dimensions as well as shape
http://www.energysuspension.com/products/Shock-Bushings.html
Title: Re: Shock Absorber Bushings
Post by: Justin B. on October 25, 2009, 11:39:08 AM
If anybody is interested, and can supply accurate dimensions, I could machine some from Delrin.  I bought a large diameter chunk a while back to experiment around with this but have never gotten around to it.  I've had high-performance suspension bushings made from aluminum and Delrin and although they ride a bit more harsh it eliminates almost all of the "sponginess" attributable to the bushing...