SS Front axle.

el-nicko · Post by **el-nicko** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 12:39 am

I'm fed up with the OE going rusty so I'm thinking of making one in 'stainless' and re-placing it. Has anyone done it before or seen one or got an opinion as to whether it's a good/bad idea?

Boxered · Post by **Boxered** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 1:29 am

I happen to be in possession of such an item, however, I seem to have managed to muller the thread on the spindle

, I have always planned to find a competent alchemist who can repair it for when i acquire my holy grail of a Mamola rep for buttons, however, 10 years on, I realise that I will never have sufficient spare folding to realize my dream, and so, with a heavy heart I am prepared to surrender my treasure for a fair price!
What say you sir?

Steve

el-nicko · Post by **el-nicko** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 2:50 am

That's dashed decent of you old chap but I've already got a few feet of 25mm SS bar so I'm going to chuck it in the lathe and make my own. It's encouraging to know it's already been done though. Can't you re-claim the thread in yours with a tap? Can I ask; Did you buy it from someone who was making them commercially? Are they still obtainable?

HerrFlick · Post by **HerrFlick** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 3:15 am

el-nicko wrote:That's dashed decent of you old chap but I've already got a few feet of 25mm SS bar so I'm going to chuck it in the lathe and make my own. It's encouraging to know it's already been done though. Can't you re-claim the thread in yours with a tap? Can I ask; Did you buy it from someone who was making them commercially? Are they still obtainable?

There's always titanium.

Oh wait - prob'ly not stocked at B&H.

.

el-nicko · Post by **el-nicko** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 3:33 am

HerrFlick wrote:
el-nicko wrote:That's dashed decent of you old chap but I've already got a few feet of 25mm SS bar so I'm going to chuck it in the lathe and make my own. It's encouraging to know it's already been done though. Can't you re-claim the thread in yours with a tap? Can I ask; Did you buy it from someone who was making them commercially? Are they still obtainable?

There's always titanium.

Oh wait - prob'ly not stocked at B&H.

.

B&H?

or do you mean B&Q?

Seriously though, it is available here:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25MM-TITANIUM ... 41601ed025

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 4:10 am

Buck & Hickman?

Al

HerrFlick · Post by **HerrFlick** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 5:42 am

el-nicko wrote:
HerrFlick wrote:
el-nicko wrote:That's dashed decent of you old chap but I've already got a few feet of 25mm SS bar so I'm going to chuck it in the lathe and make my own. It's encouraging to know it's already been done though. Can't you re-claim the thread in yours with a tap? Can I ask; Did you buy it from someone who was making them commercially? Are they still obtainable?

There's always titanium.

Oh wait - prob'ly not stocked at B&H.

.
B&H? or do you mean B&Q?

Yeah yeah - as I said - B&Q

I'm amazed at how readily available (and cheap) it has become.

When I get into my Cb750 Four Cafe project I'll be using it for the axles. Plus any other devious items I'm bound to think of. Mind you - there's always 7075 T6 aluminium - another miracle alloy.

I'm about to order carbon fibre stuff from a UK mob. (Locals still haven't caught on to the 'net).

- woven cf sleeve which I'll use in the final construction of the GS intake choobs. (another thing that has become cheap as well).

.

Mike B · Post by **Mike B** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 8:10 am

All my classic bikes have S/S spindles that I have had made for then.

And spacers, and a ton of other bits and pieces.

Mike

The stainless junkie!

Phil Thomas · Post by **Phil Thomas** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:01 am

There are lots of different grades of stainless steel...you my need to check out which is the recommended grade.

Stanley · Post by **Stanley** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:59 am

I've made spindles in the past. Can't remember what grade.... A2 maybe??

Have messed about with machining old titanium bolts. You need REALLY good tools for it! Have experienced titanium bolts loosening off unexpectedly too. Possibly owing to the "give" in the material. Also can need special assembly paste as threads seem to pick-up and gall very easily.

From my (limited) experience, I'd stick with stainless. Apart from knee-slider bolts... titanium makes great sparks!

Wish I had access to some machines :-/

Boxadog 2000 · Post by **Boxadog 2000** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 12:11 pm

I had a batch made up years ago in stainless steel and a few out of titanium

Nookiebear · Post by **Nookiebear** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 1:24 pm

Nicko, let us know how you get on with it, and I might be interested in acquiring one from you (if you feel generous in spirit to make more than your one) Titanium does sound nice tho.

el-nicko · Post by **el-nicko** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 4:08 pm

Stanley wrote:I've made spindles in the past. Can't remember what grade.... A2 maybe??

From my (limited) experience, I'd stick with stainless.

Yes, I'm going for SS but because it's a critical component I do need to know what grade to use. Any advice would be welcome 'cos I'm not sure about the piece I have so may have to order up some with a certificated pedigree.

Boxered · Post by **Boxered** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 4:38 pm

el-nicko wrote: Can't you re-claim the thread in yours with a tap? Can I ask; Did you buy it from someone who was making them commercially? Are they still obtainable?

Yes it probably just needs the correct size tap to repair it, I just never got around to it, Mine is one of those that Bob (boxadog) had made, but I bought of another trixter (Ian C)

Steve

el-nicko · Post by **el-nicko** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 5:22 pm

Stanley wrote: Apart from knee-slider bolts... titanium makes great sparks!

Yeeees. I see what you mean.