Camso ski conversion.

[Misha Subo]

In the beginning stages of setting up two Camso kits onto KTM 300 XCWs. The photo shows the front axle T-bushing partially installed (not pressed in yet). I am hesitant to proceed at this stage as I just realised if I press this bushing into the plastic spindle it seems there would be no way to remove it in the future if we changed to a different bike.

Both halves of the bushing have identical inside diametres, which would mean they have no way of being pressed out to install the kit to a different bike. I was thinking of turning a small counter bore on the inside diametre to allow knocking them out should we ever change bikes in the future. Anyone have any ideas or am I missing something about the intended retrofittability? Want to avoid having to buy a new spindle just to adapt to a new bike axle later on.

 

[Ben 500RR-S]

Very good question.

If it were me, I'd email the C/S at Camso. The guy was pretty good at answering my questions.

I would also want to know how to get those bushings that I had to pound in-out.

It is interesting that while the I/D is the same-for the axle, the O/D's are different. Perhaps one can pound the smaller one to get the larger one out first in order to change?

 

[ravenous]

You can easily remove the bushings with a few light taps on the plates with a blunt punch and a hammer. I think the different outside diameters of the bushings are so you can't mix up left and right.You can use a short chunk of redi-rod ,nuts, and washers to press them in. No need to "pound" anything in. We have painlessly removed these bushings a few times now.

 

[Ben 500RR-S]

" . . . nuts and washers . . . "-using fiddly science-stuff to get what some nice ole' whacks from a $3.99 4lb rubber mallet and a 20% off coupon from Harbor Freight will do in seconds. Waste of my precious time.

 

[Misha Subo]

Problem is...there is no obvious internal lip in the side plates to get any purchase with a punch...unless you go way off centre from the bushing where the fork is attached...which will put a cocking force against the side of the bushing (levering it out and possibly breaking the plastic spindle).

Explain where, on the side plate, you would use the punch so that the bushing does not get levered out but rather gets pushed straight out?

Also, would you suggest a little hot water to soften the plastic spindle before pressing the bushings in?

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

Problem is...there is no obvious internal lip in the side plates to get any purchase with a punch...unless you go way off centre from the bushing where the fork is attached...which will put a cocking force against the side of the bushing (levering it out and possibly breaking the plastic spindle).

Explain where, on the side plate, you would use the punch so that the bushing does not get levered out but rather gets pushed straight out?

Also, would you suggest a little hot water to soften the plastic spindle before pressing the bushings in?

It may seem like the punch wouldn’t work well in theory but in real life a straight punch works excellent for this sort of bushing removal.

You only need the tiniest line between the two pieces to catch the bushing and drive one out. (Through the center hole)

I wouldn’t heat the plastic as that might make the bushings loose in the plastic.

Tap in with mallet.
Punch drive out.

Life is simple. Lol

 

[Misha Subo]

I see, whack the punch in the bushing ID...thought he meant tap with a punch on the side plate somewhere. Obviously, the inside of the bushing would extract it directly.

To Benn, you will always get a better seat of the bushing if you use the threaded rod approach. It depends if you already have this stuff lying around though. Otherwise, I would agree, make use of what tools you have on hand.

 

[Ben 500RR-S]

It somewhat baffles me as to why Camso doesn't just put the bushings in at the factory instead of choosing to have to publish instructions along with diagrams on what we need to do and having to bag the extra parts. It is not like the bushings are going to fall out in transit, they are hard enough to get in as it is. Why not do it at the factory?

They make no mention of either pounding them in or pressing them or suggesting the use of presses, C-clamps or homespun threaded rod tools to get the bushings home in the ski spindle.

Even hub bearings come with instructions to use a socket that fits around the O/D of the bearing to drive the bearing home and those things are a LOT more delicate than a solid 3" or 4" bushing needing to be set into a big hunk of plastic. Thankfully the bushing went right in with no problem.

I wonder if Camso saves any money by NOT putting the bushing in the spindle.

 

[Motogeek33]

It somewhat baffles me as to why Camso doesn't just put the bushings in at the factory instead of choosing to have to publish instructions along with diagrams on what we need to do and having to bag the extra parts. It is not like the bushings are going to fall out in transit, they are hard enough to get in as it is. Why not do it at the factory?

They make no mention of either pounding them in or pressing them or suggesting the use of presses, C-clamps or homespun threaded rod tools to get the bushings home in the ski spindle.

Even hub bearings come with instructions to use a socket that fits around the O/D of the bearing to drive the bearing home and those things are a LOT more delicate than a solid 3" or 4" bushing needing to be set into a big hunk of plastic. Thankfully the bushing went right in with no problem.

I wonder if Camso saves any money but NOT putting the bushing in the spindle.

I believe the bushings are specific to the bike's axle size and come with the fit kit, so that's why they get installed later. I did a lot of pounding on mine too (also with a HF rubber mallet), but I knew it was a one time operation and no big deal.

I can probably speak for a lot of guys on here to say that we're really excited for your NH trails to open tomorrow.

 

[Misha Subo]

Motogeek hit the nail on the head. I run a manufacturing company and agree that nothing confuses fabrication/assembly more than having to do partial sub-assemblies specialized to each specific application. Camso saves a lot of grief by slipping the fit kit parts in a separate box. Then the spindle only becomes a bike specific part after the customer gets it and makes the install. Anyone having to manage the logistics of this stuff would do things the same way after experiencing the alternative for one week.

In the end, it's not that hard to get any of this stuff together with my degree from Ikea U.

 

[Ben 500RR-S]

Motogeek hit the nail on the head. I run a manufacturing company and agree that nothing confuses fabrication/assembly more than having to do partial sub-assemblies specialized to each specific application. Camso saves a lot of grief by slipping the fit kit parts in a separate box. Then the spindle only becomes a bike specific part after the customer gets it and makes the install. Anyone having to manage the logistics of this stuff would do things the same way after experiencing the alternative for one week.

In the end, it's not that hard to get any of this stuff together with my degree from Ikea U.

I'm hip to that. It makes sense as to why they don't press the part together once they know a kit is going out for a Beta/Yamaha/Honda/KTM . . .

I like that you have a PhD (Piled high and Deep) from Ikea and I agree, the disassembly and install of the kit was quite simple.

I had a kitchen island that I put together and was so peeved at their lame instructions that had me putting stuff together, only to have to take it apart to put it together another (the correct) way, I had realized that Ikea stands for "I'll Kill Every Associate."

 

[Vincenthdfan]

I can probably speak for a lot of guys on here to say that we're really excited for your NH trails to open tomorrow.

I saw what you said there, lol.

 

[Misha Subo]

Benn, don't listen to the comments. They're just mad they don't have the Camso. I have enjoyed reading your posts and we too in Ontario are waiting for a good base.

 

[Vincenthdfan]

Benn, don't listen to the comments. They're just mad they don't have the Camso. I have enjoyed reading your posts and we too in Ontario are waiting for a good base.

I enjoy his posts and share in his excitement as well.

I'm eagerly awaiting some snow here too to get my Camso out!!

 

[Motogeek33]

I enjoy his posts and share in his excitement as well.

I'm eagerly awaiting some snow here too to get my Camso out!!

I like the posts too, I'm just razzing him... oh, and I also have a 2018 Camso and can't wait to get it in the snow.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

Benn, don't listen to the comments. They're just mad they don't have the Camso. I have enjoyed reading your posts and we too in Ontario are waiting for a good base.

More like ??? comments.

 

[IShartd]

More like ??? comments.

Shettmetalfab has it right. They pound out, specially if you've put a bit of grease on them prior to pressing in. These stabilize only, nothing pivots in the axle after install. Also super easy to bore out if the next axle is larger OD.