Spring rod bushing fit

[knuckjunky]

Gentlemen,

Looking for a diagnostic here. This is my first project and I'm putting my springer together. I am trying to set the spring rod bushings into the fork and there is about 1/8 inch gap where the bushing will not sit right into the fork. These are the early fork and bushings for 39 big twin. At first I thought it might be paint that needed to be cleaned out but that has not solved the problem. What am I missing?

[exeric]

The flange of the bushing will be approximately 1/8" above the forging. You should be able to feel the ball feature of the bushing, rotate in the socket of the forging. In other words, the bushing has to have freedom to move in it's socket.

[knuckjunky]

Thanks Eric. That was exactly what I needed to know. Now this sucker is going together! Much appreciated.