pavedwave longboarding

edp_swakakin · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 189

Well this my bushing after one 20 mile session...

I was going through them like crazy. So I came up with a solution. I went to my local hardware store and found this plex tube. Cost like 3 bucks.

Took it home and cut it to fit right under the kingpin nut.

I had to use a lock wrench to hold it and screw it onto the king pin. Putting the bushings on took a bit of work but it does fit.

***Warning*** Because of it stretching the bushing a bit, it does give the truck a tighter feel. But after a couple of miles the bushings started to break in and feel good. I tend to like a tighter truck though. I'm happy to break them in knowing that by the time I get to were they feel good they won't be shredded to peices...

The results after a 20 mile session. (I really hammered it) Only a slight wear to the Plex tube from the truck but no physical damage to the bushings. Even if the truck wears strait through the plex tube. I don't think it will matter much...

This config seems to work well too.

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

thats awesome eric, I dig it!! you should pass this link onto brian bennett.

i'll bet its extra-extra snug with the Khiro cone + barrel on bottom -- the last modification you might try on this, is slicing a thin piece off either the barrel or the cone then sticking them together, like Carrasco's been doing on the sk8kings "skennett" -- because as you know, those two together are just a little taller than a single bottom bennett bushing, so you really have to smoosh them down. i'll bet with the snug center it's even more so.

great job though, save you some $ in the long run.

edp_swakakin · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 189

Just a quick note - all white seems to work even better.

egret · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 84

I wish the kingpin threads didn't go down so far. I'm going to look for that plex tube. I tried wrapping the threads in teflon tape and it's helped. I want to try epoxy too to fill in the theads and make it smooth.

Nice pictures, BTW.

Parson Adams · Joined: 02 Jun 2008 Posts: 93 Location: San Antonio

Why hasn't anyone put this into the market? Such an easy fix. I don't know why I haven't thought of this before. I use sleeves for my cymbal stands--this is much like the same concept.

GREAT JOB, Eric!
_________________
I won't quit my day job.

camel · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject:

Khiro Bob basically laughed/put me off when I suggested he could make an improvement to his bushings by doing something like this.

C

edp_swakakin · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 189

I have now put a number of miles now pumping on both the Fathom Proto and my Roe Cross Step. Over all I can still tell even with an all white configuration that the truck is a little tight at the edges of my pumps. I believe that it is because the tube is stretching the bushings. And there is no longer the extra space for the bushings to give. Over all it's expectable to me. But if your used to your trucks being very loose you might not like it. ***So be warned of this*** Here are the results after some more miles pumping on both. Notice the wear on the tube. After taking the tube off the kingpin and inspecting it. The hanger has not gone through it yet.

Proto Fathom after 45 - 50 miles (Bennett 5.0)

Roe Cross Step after 40 miles (Bennett 4.3)

In addition to this I also used a Dremel to smooth my edges of my trucks. If you look closely at your trucks when you get them they have small imperfections. Just the slightest imperfection over a number of miles can also really eat up your bushings and cups. (USE WITH CAUTION) A little goes a long ways. And make sure to wear the proper safety gear. You don’t want to breathe the metal or get it into your eyes.

Hanael · Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 71

hm.

on the day i ride your board, it's just too...stiff for my liking.
I was about to try it myself, but it doesn't feel...right.

The flex tube really changes the feel of the bennet.

camel · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:29 pm Post subject:

When polishing the components, a dremel may be too much. Try a little sandpaper and a buffing wheel with some rouge. It will be glassy smooth when you get done. You could also try using a smaller diameter tube with a high psi rating. Drill out the center to get it to fit the kp. That would keep the bushing from being so tight. Also, maybe cut a couple of small sections to fit just inside the bushing and not limit the hanger movement around the kp. Remember, Bennett kp's can break, this does put more force on the kp due to the limited movement. A grade 8 upgrade might be prudent.

Overall, great idea and great execution. Don't take any of my comments negatively. Just being constructive.

C

edp_swakakin · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 189