Topic: Hollow axles?

[Franken750]

Hi Guys.

Many thanks for all those replies; they've given me good places to start looking.

Will post a follow up when I find what I'm after.



Franken.

[voxonda]

I do use the, drilled, oem axles from the 900 DOHC series. They are longer and weigh about half of the 750 ones. I even use them as front axles after shorten them and tap them for a 'secure'- bolt.

And the rear axle:


Rob.

[brandEn]

I do use the, drilled, oem axles from the 900 DOHC series. They are longer and weigh about half of the 750 ones. I even use them as front axles after shorten them and tap them for a 'secure'- bolt.

And the rear axle:


Rob.

Hey Rob how long are those axles?

[voxonda]

Hey brandEn,

Have to measure them tonight, but about 1.5 to 2"over.

cheers, Rob

[brandEn]

Hey brandEn,

Have to measure them tonight, but about 1.5 to 2"over.

cheers, Rob

I am using a 86 VFR axle on my Dresda swingarm with some spacers. That CB900 axle may be better for me.

[voxonda]

Hey brandEn,

Have to measure them tonight, but about 1.5 to 2"over.

cheers, Rob

I am using a 86 VFR axle on my Dresda swingarm with some spacers. That CB900 axle may be better for me.

You can cut new thread on them if necessary. M18x1.5 m/m

[Retro Rocket]

Thanks Rob, more great information once again....

[voxonda]

Sorry, Franken

My other axles lying in my other storage but compared to the one in my racer it is about 3/4"longer. My mistake.

[crazypj]

Just for S&G I made a front wheel alloy bearing spacer.
 it's 2 oz lighter than the steel one (1.53vs 3.59oz)   

[754]

 If its identical it should be closer to 1/3 the weight. The exhaust clamps I just built went down to  just under 60 grams from 187 

[crazypj]

Nah, just a piece of 1" 6061 faced to length with a hole in it. 
 If it was identical it would be lighter.
I just did it quick as I had a short piece of bar laying around

[754]

Anyone gundrilled their axle?

[Retro Rocket]

Anyone gundrilled their axle?

Is it made of the right material to drill..?

[calj737]

Anyone gundrilled their axle?

Is it made of the right material to drill..?

Drill or bore, or mill, it's all the same really, Mick. I just spent the day yesterday drilling a piece of rod before turning it in the lathe for a shoulder, and then milled a slot. 3 in 1 processes for a single hollowed tube.

"Gundrilled", Frank? Not familiar with that term.

[Retro Rocket]

Anyone gundrilled their axle?

Is it made of the right material to drill..?

Drill or bore, or mill, it's all the same really, Mick. I just spent the day yesterday drilling a piece of rod before turning it in the lathe for a shoulder, and then milled a slot. 3 in 1 processes for a single hollowed tube.

"Gundrilled", Frank? Not familiar with that term.

Yeah, I'm aware of that mate,  later model bikes with hollow axles, the axles are made from a more rigid alloy, I was wondering if the old Honda axles would be as strong drilled out...?  I think what Frank means is Gun drilled, as in,  bored out like a barrel of a gun...?   

[754]

Once you drill past 5xdiameter you are in deep drilling..
 To drill an axle you are around 18 times diameter with say a 10 mm hole.. , half of that if you go from each end.
 Gundrills are for deep holes in production, and tend to have coolant pumped thru them...be sure yet quickest way if you were doing a lot of them.

 I would be far less worried about drilling an axle with a reasonable size hole, in unknown material....than I would be about trying to heat treat an unknown material..

[scottly]

I've seen something about how the innermost part of a shaft relates to the strength of the shaft, but I don't remember the percentages. Basically, the size of the hole means removing the same strength as a solid rod of the same material. A 1/8" hole in a 1.00" shaft wouldn't have as much weakening as a 15/16" hole.

[HondaMan]

Anyone gundrilled their axle?

I do it regularly for the swingarm bolts. On a mini-lathe, it's painful!