The Chopper Compendium

What material do you all make axles with? I have added a section of 4140 to my McMaster-Carr order but wanted to be sure before I order. This is for a leafer front end. Thanks

Ken

Nothing?? I know some of you make your own. Just need to know if 4140 is good or overkill.

Ken

I've said this in many places many times , mcpherson strut cartridge actuator shafts are large enough to be turned down to suit the axle requirement front or rear for most any bike I ever heard of and are far more than "good enough"

1045, 1050 is plenty good enough. That's what most car axles are made of.

i've used stainless with good results, but exactly what it was, is lost in the fog of time.

-dan

Thanks everyone. I have 1045, now I have to wait the use my buddys lathe because I don't want to try it on my small HF

Let us know how it goes.

You can also source a car or truck axle (rwd) from any salvage yard (car breaker in britain) and have it machined into axle shafts for your bike !

gearhead1951 wrote:You can also source a car or truck axle (rwd) from any salvage yard (car breaker in britain) and have it machined into axle shafts for your bike !

Hmmm, I thought instantly about axles in a typical car or pickup, and how that would require a LOT of machining,
BUT, an axle from a vehicle with CV joints, like a Subaru?, don't they have a small diameter axle?
That seems like they might be a really good source for axle material.