Tips on replacing the tee bar seat bushing?

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joninflorida
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Tips on replacing the tee bar seat bushing?

#1

Post by joninflorida »

I have a lot of left to right wobble on my seat. When I look at the front of the tee bar, it's very sloppy/loose. I am assuming a new bushing (Colony has a kit) will tighten this up? Looks like I have to pull, or at least move the gas tank. Any tricks to this? Seems pretty straight forward I would think - thanks. :)
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Re: Tips on replacing the tee bar seat bushing?

#2

Post by 1950Panhead »

Remove seat, tie seat T to handlebar, remove seat post, tanks can stay, beat old bushing from side with punch or chisel, pull new bushing in with threaded rod and washers.
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Re: Tips on replacing the tee bar seat bushing?

#3

Post by Little Stan »

I need to replace the bushing in my frame as well. I replaced it 30 years ago and I took a hack saw blade and carefully split it.

Somebody once told me you can actually pound the old bushing deeper and put a new bushing on top of it but I wouldn't do that without measuring a frame sans the bushing. If this is actually the case then maybe I'll put in two bushings!

-'lil stan
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Re: Tips on replacing the tee bar seat bushing?

#4

Post by Larry »

Isn't he referring to the bushing in the T-bar?
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Re: Tips on replacing the tee bar seat bushing?

#5

Post by RUBONE »

Isn't he referring to the bushing in the T-bar?
That is how I read it as well.
Tanks need to come off. Easy to push the new bushing in with a Vise, or similar press tool. However, most replacement bushings have so much clearance you will find the new one to be almost as bad as the old one. There are two sizes as well, early are a 5/16 ID on the inner bushing, later are 3/8. Makes no difference on quality of fit.
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Re: Tips on replacing the tee bar seat bushing?

#6

Post by Bigincher »

Robbie's right about the replacement bushings for the tee; even though new, they're pretty sloppy. If you're good with a lathe you can make a better one.
On the seat post bushing in the frame, don't just beat the old one in, they are easy to remove. Using a disk sander or similar tool, fashion a chisel out of a #3 nail set. Work it between the frame and the bushing causing the bushing to split. Work the split from the top to the bottom; at some point the bushing will be loose enough you can grab onto the split edge with pliars and twist the bushing out.
And be careful about Uncle Frank's advice; he's good at MSU. (Making Shit Up)
joninflorida
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Re: Tips on replacing the tee bar seat bushing?

#7

Post by joninflorida »

Yes the t-bar bushing under the tank is what I was referring to. So pulling the tank is fairly easy. The fuel line is obvious, but any other tricks?
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Re: Tips on replacing the tee bar seat bushing?

#8

Post by Larry »

Disconnect the battery.
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Re: Tips on replacing the tee bar seat bushing?

#9

Post by Andygears »

I just was in n there cause my nut loosened and fell off from the front pivot. If it's hand shift with the stock reserve/ metal gas lines, the left tank will float around enough to remove the pivot bolt but the shifter and lines will keep it from falling off. The right side will be removed after draining the tanks.

Andygears
joninflorida
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Re: Tips on replacing the tee bar seat bushing?

#10

Post by joninflorida »

Thanks for the info - it is a foot shift (52 first year of the foot shift)
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Re: Tips on replacing the tee bar seat bushing?

#11

Post by john HD »

John,

Keep in mind the bolt is threaded through the frame on one side.

Don't try to hammer it out!

john
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Re: Tips on replacing the tee bar seat bushing?

#12

Post by Andygears »

Mine wasn't threaded, probably drilled thru in the past.

Andygears
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