How not to B33!

[Dan_B33]

And that looks like candidate for replacement

[Rog1]

I don't know how much a set of fork legs would be, but there's a company not far from me (England) with a good reputation. I don't think I've used them for rechroming but they have straightened a set for me; they say that most fork legs are bent when they come in. Here's a link:

https://www.pittedforks.co.uk

[Dan_B33]

Hi Rog,
Thanks for that link and the hint.
I've had a look and mine are rather straigh.

The main problem is that one of legs is badly scratched....that won't allow sealing and all oil will be out.

Other thing is that strange thing I have two oil holes in one leg and just one hole on other... See the picture

I'm now thinking about whether buying new about 150quid or trying to take risk with second hand ones .

[idie]

One is an early leg around the 50s. Damping was to strong so BSA put an extra hole in.⁷

[Dan_B33]

Hi Idzie,
Right and that suggests I have forks from different period.
Drama continues:
Sliders are not matching! The one which goes on the brake side RH seems to be original 50s . And the one LH looks more to me like late 60s.

So.looking at the picture slider on the left is ok with braz bush(new )
The one on the right on the picture ...the braz bush is slightly too big

[neil1964]

Someone has reshaped the bracket on the one on right.
They would both work together, assuming that they measure up the same and the inside bore is ok (not pitted, overly worn or rusty at the bottom
The two damper hole is the better one to have (improved by progressive springs and a Taylor-Dow type damper (have these on my 'Goldie' roadster, whether you need them on a plunger B33 is debatable.
If my stanchions were matching I would have them checked for straightness and have them hard chromed and ground/polished but as you don't have a pair it will be simpler to buy a new pair. There are different lengths 21 3/16" vs  22 3/4" for your bike. Get bushes from same source as I have found that some are ever so slightly fatter than originals (guess how I know!??)

[Dan_B33]

Thanks Neil!
What I loose if I take 21 +3/16?

This is plunger at the back so anyway... suspension is just a joke on that bike.

[V500]

Plungers aren't that bad...maybe yours has wear or whatever?
Roll the two stanchions together on a flat surface to check if they're slightly bent or not.

[Dan_B33]

Hello V500,
I think no point to check if they are straight...one gas deep scratches I think beyond polishing...this would treat seal.

To add to this misery I have noticed that one of bottom braz bushes
Has some factory imperfection. I have wrote to supplier hoping he could send replacement....let's see.  Of no joy I will where the name of company to avoid such surprises...bushes were in bubble wrap...so hart to notice theat untill I unwrapped all...today

[neil1964]

Hello V500,
I think no point to check if they are straight...one gas deep scratches I think beyond polishing...this would treat seal.

To add to this misery I have noticed that one of bottom braz bushes
Has some factory imperfection. I have wrote to supplier hoping he could send replacement....let's see.  Of no joy I will where the name of company to avoid such surprises...bushes were in bubble wrap...so hart to notice theat untill I unwrapped all...today

That is not nice - quite a big defect (not even a benefit for oil retention!)
These stanchions (plain steel like originals) are probably cheapest - they don't come with bushes.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331669000936?var=0&&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&siteid=3&campid=5338980692&customid=jkp_CjwKCAjwlbu2BhA3EiwA3yXyuxsH-msP_YcwS_so1gxntqT8WG3mNlxdwkpVubjIP84dMBbs9H1fVhoCkAkQAvD_BwE&toolid=10001&mkevt=1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwlbu2BhA3EiwA3yXyuxsH-msP_YcwS_so1gxntqT8WG3mNlxdwkpVubjIP84dMBbs9H1fVhoCkAkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
If you plan on keeping it then these hard chromed, and come with bushes look good:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331732819891?chn=ps&_ul=GB&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=331732819891&targetid=2340111703139&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9044896&poi=1006589&campaignid=21403705192&mkgroupid=161533230130&rlsatarget=pla-2340111703139&abcId=9448312&merchantid=7283214&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwlbu2BhA3EiwA3yXyu1EchW3tqhDAGRSDiCP6_yraJPsWCpt_Yf-FXz_4RyPuf26nnB8d6hoCsywQAvD_BwE

[Dan_B33]

Hi Neil,
Many thanks for the recommendation.
I would expect that going for New Stanchions mens new slider as well, right?
I do not believe this second hand sliders are rust free...mine are far from perfect inside...

[neil1964]

Sliders are getting more difficult to find (they wear elliptically and rust at the bottom if the bike has been standing for ages!)

Things to consider are:
- does your front brake (7" or 8") have the boss to fit inside the lug on the fork that has the threaded lug for font brake cable?
- do you have a front torque stay for 8" brake?
I think most of the earlier fork legs are similar (middle mudguard stay brackets can be different).
Internally most are the same.
If you are pushed and have otherwise matching legs you can get the legs lightly line bored and get a pair of o/s sintered bronze bushes made up.
If 7" front brake these will work:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305748108219?_nkw=bsa+front+forks&itmmeta=01J6D6RMS4YFSJ9BWRP37P0PJT&hash=item473001e3bb:g:bn0AAOSwXcdmuKSk&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKmXWPs74ErJoOWHNYBHP7nJvQfatydpmDFznQ%2BQqGXaZAguPftBJLbkxkKbO2jQf0Ix7e%2FWvpPrfFGD60Atqbm1jOaLPzY95BmH%2B0i6yAXcc%2FVazMMvNJJLNTQwQ5BvlphMpJb2TY6GE%2Bs9SCCFTm97zTpBJPbNrMhlbPJCcCoUdaY7PJ%2Bw8fLLP%2FolVzquuPtWa1c8chLQAVM9wnX2WLaUd1fJGmUKLe0oUqYN6HRUcWvaYn4psqI55Uf8i%2F%2BjewzXAc1n0lx5jW6jd3cZzQFYw4aJCNVT0569FGzqqA7TTA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-LM4qazZA
These are later type (GS and similar) which need a torque stay and dedicated boss for the front brake cable (I have a spare one of these if needed).
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276594481216?_nkw=bsa+front+forks&itmmeta=01J6D6RMS4QCC1Y4VYTD2W64CP&hash=item406650d840:g:U4MAAOSw5KhmvJdA&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKlvGbXIfL%2FU2h1NuC9c3aEJNT%2FOEonz9F7tjMqlZLlfoKIh0jnjau4J9eYKGou1yUh%2FpmJfaAYEpxyLHnc8w%2Fwi4IRLLqyA2EaiZIm7MijmizxP0YudsihAaOKbKkRbJQNg6VnEjlUFb0BXeJSjbRWqk0WQv6b%2BSFjqr49fu744WM6tRYloBJXXxJuUXx0%2F0upQnHEP2YMTzKFHEJkaqcOFkPqaQgUdYYV3KNXd%2BduuOz82EafqBSV1t8xhyGZwIUFqvMy00XnLBj1WWCxuHvJ7L2a1Th0UARq4QH2o0kJNnw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-LM4qazZA

[Dan_B33]

Hello Neil,
I have 7" break.
Eo first link woud do....i had a look at them but was thinking tis are just for C-models.
I had been checking other link with later type set but disqualified them as not fit for the breake I have.

So now considering bidding for the ones fro first link. And buying set of new stanchions...

[Dan_B33]

Hello,
Was so focused on front fork that totally forgotten to check front spindle axel.
Turns out the thread is ruined.

I have bought sliders and stanchions...
Waiting for the bush returned to supplier.
Now need to search for spindle

[neil1964]

Not nice.
Left hand thread, of course.
I bought a new stainless one from Barleycorn for my scrambler 7" wheel.
I have a rough and ready spare that would work, but not pretty!  Presume you have the split collet spacer for left side?