Bummer! Took my RD for its MOT on Saturday - reasonably confident that it would pass despite me not really having looked at it for a couple of months. It didn't. I'd forgotten when I rebuilt it last year that I needed to take another look at the rear suspension bushes, at the time I couldn't remove them and they just scraped through last years MOT. Well - I had to chuck it together pretty sharpish in the end as I used it to go to Ashbourne for the RD rally. I remember trying to welly them out with a drift and being surprised when it looked like they were steel. That means the rear doglegs that go into these bushes are a steel on steel interface. Eh? That can't be right? Anyway, armed with a bigger hammer and with the swingarm in the frame this time (Ok, I was too lazy to take it out), I eventually managed to drift out the bushes, bloody tight fit. Ummm, also a tight fit was the drift I was using (1/2" socket extensions make excellent drifts), so I had to pummel that back out again. The bushes are actually worn slightly oval, hence the "excessive play in rear suspension" failure. The doglegs look ok though, so that'll be a wad of cash to Fowlers then. Actually got round to fitting the centre stand to help with this job, and the shiny stainless wheel spacers will also be fitted. MOT for next Saturday.... Now, if only the sun would shine.......
