Machining new rocker spindles

[Craig]

Hello

I purchased new set of rocker spindles from SRM recently. They arrived but seems they are not the correct size (diameter) compared with my old set on the bike now. (images attached with sizes)

I guess the solution is to machine them down to fit but have no reference on this work.

Has anyone in the group done this before, or should be totally avoided? Would appreciate any advice you can offer.

Cheers

Craig

[a10 gf]

Interesting, send an email to SRM (and post their response). Does the rockers fit ? If so, it's (maybe...) a matter of putting the spindles in the freezer overnight, then fitting after well heating the rocker box.

[Craig]

emailed SRM and their response was to machine down the oversize spindles.

At some stage in the next day or so I will strip down the rocker boxes and remove the old spindles. Then I can find out if the rockers actually fit and any other potential issues. That may dictate the next steps to solving this.

will come back on this one.

[trevinoz]

That's real customer service!
They should take them back at their expense and supply spindles with the correct dimensions.

[bsa-bill]

They should take them back at their expense and supply spindles with the correct dimensions.

spot on, the spindles are not fit for purpose, good customers service would be to ship a pair that were right and if they want the first ones  back a cheque to cover P&P.

[mikeb]

when a set of srm valve gear didn't have enough installed height they suggested i send back the caps for re-machining - all 12000 miles. i got it done locally for more $$. gotta wonder why they don't fit out of the packet?

there's a theory in these parts that the further from the UK then the less likely parts (from a range of our favourite suppliers) will fit. i note you are in Hong Kong so is that paranoid or an explanation?

[Greybeard]

emailed SRM and their response was to machine down the oversize spindles.

I'm shocked to see this. I thought SRM were a decent company. 

[Craig]

Having taken the rocker assemblies apart tonight - i found that the threaded end of the new spindles also doesn't fit into the rocker boxes.
So defiantly a problem with the new parts. Some images attached. I did not take any measurements. When they did not fit, I decided an exchange as necessary.

The good news is that SRM have stepped up and offered to exchange and also to refund the initial postage. Very pleased about that. As many of you say they are a good company and I have had good service from them always. A late night phone call across the world seems to have it sorted.

Cheers

[RichardL]

Uhh, I don't know the details of this, but is it possible the long-stroke spindles are different from other A7s and A10s and SRM didn't know what bike you have?

Richard L

[Greybeard]

...is it possible the long-stroke spindles are different from other A7s and A10s and SRM didn't know what bike you have?

That thought did cross my mind. 

[ellis]

Bought a pair of A10 fork damper rods from SRM and when they arrived I was very pleased with the quality but the top nuts wouldn't screw into the forks. I rang them and told them of the problem and they said send the top nuts back for checking which I did at a cost of £2.80. One week later the correct nuts arrived and screwed in perfectly. The new nuts had score marks in them which I was not pleased with. I was not offered a refund on postage for the first nuts I returned so decided to keep the replacements or spend another £2.80 to return them. Not very impressed from a supposedly quality company and didn't get any form of apology . Next time I will think twice before ordering from them again.     

[trevinoz]

I am fairly sure that the long stroke valve gear is the same as the later series, just different enclosure.

[Craig]

As far as I know the valve gear is the same. Part number 67-64 which from my records was same up to 1953.

SRM know my bike model, they do help me a lot.

Despite the extra cost to me on the return postage, happy this will be resolved.

[trevinoz]

If they really are good, you will not be out of pocket for their error.

[coater87]

 And remachining
Those spindles could be a real pain because they are hollow, and threaded.

 When I make something like that my last step is to bore to size. Once you bore the piece loses a lot of the rigidity that made accurate turning possible.