On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 18:57:28 -0600, "Snag"
wrote:

Being the cheapskate that I am , I have decided to rework original rather
than replace some of the parts on the 1939 H-D I'm rebuilding (not
"restoring" !) . Some of the parts I have decided to rework are the lower
rockers on the springer front end (where the wheel mounts ...). More to the
point , I need to decide what to make the rocker bushings from . The
originals are steel , and just a bit softer than a knife blade . A file will
mark it , but not deeply . The rocker studs seem to be mild steel , at least
they machined easily . I am considering case hardening the wear surfaces ...
bushings are cheaper than studs .
The bushings will be about 1" OD X .875" long , with a wall thickness of
either .150" or .165" , depending on which location they're in .
I have very limited experience with material selection (unless you want
to build some cabinets or a receptionist's desk ---) and have no idea what
alloy would be best for these bushings . Anybody care to venture an opinion
?

Well **** Snag, if yer really a cheapskate, buy these (scroll down a
ways): http://www.aaok.com/partsections/frontend.html According to
my math, that's only $9.00 per for all four. I sure as hell couldn't
make 'em for less than that.

I will be making some bearing cups to replace the ball bearings in the
steering neck with a tapered roller , and need some suggestions there also .
Thanks !

And why do ya want to do that? Those old ball bearings last for 100's
of thousands of miles. I switched to tapered rollers in my '37 Knuck
once and went back to ball bearings after about 30k miles. If yer
bound and determined to go with tapered anyway, they're (cups)
available from Ted's V-Twin for *way* less than you could make 'em
too.

Snarl