'53 Seat Post Bushings

[ssantelman]

I installed the Croft Seat Springs and everything stacked up like it was supposed to; thanks for the tip.

The clearance between the seat post and the seat post bushing seems excessive at 1/16".

• the seat post OD is 1.183
• the bushing ID is 1.248
• the OD of the bushing is approximately 1-7/16
  
• just to have full disclosure, there is not a hole in the bushing at the grease zerk.

Any ideas what the clearance should be between the seat post and the seat post bushing. I expect that I will be removing the existing bushing and turning up a custom bushing.

[Rooster]

Offhand, I'd say .020" -.030" at the most. Sometimes they even need some mild reaming for proper clearance. Just enough clearance to provide free movement without binding.
You didn't say if you replaced the bushing or not, did you? They wear out, it would be good to replace it with a new one. Colony makes a good one. The bushing will have a groove around the OD of it that aligns with the grease zerk. There are two holes in the groove, 180 degrees from each other. When installing the bushing, these holes go to the sides of the seat post tube, NOT to the front and the rear. When grease is applied, it is forced though the groove, around the sides and through those holes, thereby greasing both sides of the plunger.
I know that this is basic common sense and everyone here knows it, but I only mention it because I have seen so many of them installed incorrectly, with the holes fore and aft.

[ssantelman]

Thanks for confirming the clearance is excessive

I have not changed the bushing (yet)

After further inspection
- there are two holes (near) 3:00 and 9:00
- the bushing ID is 1.248 at 3:00/9:00 and 1.236 at 12:00/6:00

[T. Cotten]

SSantelman!

Since reamers are expensive, and cannot be piloted for this application anyway, I suggest making your bushing just a couple of thou over the seatpost diameter, and then using a machinist's scraper to achieve clearance.

....Cotten

[Rooster]

It's not the Space Shuttle....

[T. Cotten]

It's not the Space Shuttle....

Of course it isn't!

Its the flying machinist's scraper.

....Cotten
PS: Low-tech rules, while "experts" drool...

[larry]

Is this a Harley frame?

[ssantelman]

To the best information I have, it is a HD frame.

I had the frame blue printed by an old boy who had a frame straightening jig in exchange for some gun smithing. He reported back that it was one of the straighter HD frames he had worked on and all the tabs were present; he did not recommend any work be done on the frame.

[billpedalino]

ssantleman,
I've been looking for a frame for my 1953 FLE for quite a while. Wouuld you have a source?
Thanks

[ssantelman]

Unfortunately I do not know of any available frames.