Banana axle

[bart]

I've been playing around with some tyres today, preparing for the Naki mud ride. Still debating over which front to wear. I had a hell of a battle with the rear. Most of the issue was with breaking the bead on the old tyre, but that's another story.

http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af29/bart-nz/misc/IMG_1065.jpg

I had a small issue getting the front wheel off (plenty of swear words and bad things said about DR's)....here's a shot of the axle.

http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af29/bart-nz/misc/IMG_1074.jpg

My question is, can these things be straightened? Past experience with Suzuki parts point towards a 2 week delay for the new part (will confirm tomorrow).

[Box'a'bits]

How the hell would that happen? :blink:

What about someone coming up with a loaner? Or off a wrecked bike..

[NordieBoy]

Looks like it could be right on the bearing surface.

To do that would usually be preceded by a front wheel the shape of a crescent moon.

I can send my spare one up with marks's's's tyre to tide you over 'till one arrives...

[tri boy]

Re bead breaking at home.
A $20 G clamp and a bit of plywood off cut willbust even the tightest/driest bead.
That axle should be able to be straightened, but a spare one close by would be good insurance.
How did it bend? Major bearing failure?

[buggsubique]

surely one could be machined up pretty easy? (if it came to that)

[Padmei]

Ithink there's more to it than that.They don't just decide to gat as munted as that. Barts keeping something quiet...

How the hell did you manage to get that out tho? Musta busted something on the way out!

Def keep it for the wall of shame.

[Phreaky Phil]

I have a DR axle I could loan you if you need one.

[Woodman]

Did that happen when that guy ran into you???

Trying to work out what the wheel and forks must be doing ???

[bart]

I'd like to say it was from doing a massive wheely....but from what I can gather, it must have happened after this little incident

http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af29/bart-nz/misc/IMG_9963.jpg

Pan out for effect (now insurance is sorted)

http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af29/bart-nz/misc/IMG_9964.jpg

Pan back in to see the damage

http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af29/bart-nz/misc/IMG_9965.jpg

http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af29/bart-nz/misc/IMG_9968.jpg

I've riden about 1000km since, including the RRRR. Although I did notice something a bit weird with the front end, I just rode up beside a fence post or building and gave it a tweak one way or the other, thinking it was slightly out of alignment. :innocent:

I had to take the little plate thing with the 10mm bolts right off. As soon as I did that, I could unscrew the banana axle. Took a little while to figure out what was going on. :facepalm:

Thanks for the offers for spares guys, but I may be able to borrow one locally (if not, I know a guy who should be able to straighten it). The replacement should be covered by insurance.

[GPS MAN]

Sounds like Nordie and Phil have spare axles....I would sort one of those until a new one could be sourced..:yes: Not keen on bending the banana :shit: Ok to get you home but, not to leave on a trip...

I will see what I can find and let you know:bye:

[clint640]

[QUOTE=GPS MAN;1130050554]Sounds like Nordie and Phil have spare axles....I would sort one of those until a new one could be sourced..:yes: [QUOTE]

yeah... I wouldn't consider cold bending that straight to be anything more than a get-home fix. Your front wheel continuing to stay attached is kinda mission critical :yes:

Cheers
Clint

[bart]

A new axle is on it's way. Hopefully here in the next couple of days ($120 I think). I took the wheel in for new bearings. They didn't seem that bad, but I'll get them replaced anyway. Once I get it all back together, I'll get the forks checked.

From what I can gather, the front wheel was working fine, but the right fork was skewed off at an odd angle. I still can't believe I never noticed it. :shit:

[Crim]

A new axle is on it's way.

Good Call, as Clint says you've only got two wheels they are both important and that axle looks kinda Osama'ed to me :facepalm:

[Night Falcon]

I still can't believe I never noticed it. :shit:

....yeah I was gonna say something when I noticed the DR didn't look like it was tracking like a normal bike....but then it is a DR so gave it the benifit of the doubt :nya:

[bart]

....yeah I was gonna say something when I noticed the DR didn't look like it was tracking like a normal bike....but then it is a DR so gave it the benifit of the doubt :nya:

Yeah, with all that power, the front hardly touches the ground. No wonder I never noticed.....:innocent:

[bart]

With the tyre thing, I had a battle cracking the bead on the crappy MT60 rear. The first side wasn't too bad, but getting the other side off...:angry:. In the end, I placed the tyre on a couple of bits of timber and jumped up and down on the rim until it popped. Probably not the best way of going about it. :whistle: I was about to put it in the vice.:scratch:

Then....chucked the Kenda surpise on. Do you think I could seat the bead. :blink: Took it up to 80 psi 5 times (with the occasional rubber hammer beating) before it came close.

Now, I've changed a few dozen tyres over the years, but never had quite this problem. Has anyone tried putting a light smear of grease around the bead (or rim)? I guess you run the risk of the tyre turning on the rim. Are there other options (without taking it to the shop)? I'm getting too old for this shit.

[NordieBoy]

You've got to use lube with the DR rear.
Getting the bead on and off.

I usually use WD40 as it makes the rubber tacky when it dries.

[petegl58]

The axle can be straightened by any competent engineer with vee blocks, a hydraulic press,and some aluminium packers to prevent damage. The axle will be medium tensile material and shouldnt crack when straightening. Easy really.

[dino3310]

You've got to use lube with the DR rear.
Getting the bead on and off.

I usually use WD40 as it makes the rubber tacky when it dries.

me use CRC

[NordieBoy]

me use CRC

So do I but I feel... dirty...

[GPS MAN]

You've got to use lube with the DR rear.
Getting the bead on and off.

I usually use WD40 as it makes the rubber tacky when it dries.


Same here WD 40 will make it jump off the bead.....well, maybe come off a lot easier anyway:yes: