Rusty axle spindles?

iwilson

iwilson

Joined
Nov 6, 2015
Messages
400
Country flag
After suffering a flat tyre a few days ago, I removed the rear wheel (easy) and took it in to get a new tyre. Bit surprised at the amount of rust on the spindle. There was grease on the shaft but looked as if water had sat for sometime. Anyway as I was changing tyre brands once I got the new tyre back on (right pain) - I rode the bike back to the garage for the front tyre. The front axle spindle was dry as a bone and completely covered in rust. The fitter who does this for a living was shaking his head. So wire bushed and greased before refitting. Wish I'd taken a photo. But here's one of the rear - which is nothing in comparison to the front.

Don't know what the consensus is, but might be worth checking and greasing if you're not a fan of the weathered look....

Rusty axle spindles?
 
Not good , So it was never greased on assembly from the Factory ? I don't know if they are using antisieze or grease now . I've had both my axles out at least twice and no rust . I grease the axles with wheel bearing grease every time I have them out .
 
Last edited:
TonyA said:
Not good , So it was never greased on assembly from the Factory ? I don't know if they are using antisieze or grease now . I've had both my axles out at least twice and no rust . I grease the axles with wheel bearing grease every time I have them out .
Click to expand...

Front spindle was dry as a bone... Rear had some on it. Wondering if the two holes in the rear spindle need to be orientated in any particular direction? Are they drain holes (nothing in the manual)? There was a plug of grease blocking the hole that's surrounded by rust...
 
iwilson said:
Front spindle was dry as a bone... Rear had some on it. Wondering if the two holes in the rear spindle need to be orientated in any particular direction? Are they drain holes (nothing in the manual)? There was a plug of grease blocking the hole that's surrounded by rust...
Click to expand...
How often do you ride in the rain or wash your bike?
 
iwilson said:
Front spindle was dry as a bone... Rear had some on it. Wondering if the two holes in the rear spindle need to be orientated in any particular direction? Are they drain holes (nothing in the manual)? There was a plug of grease blocking the hole that's surrounded by rust...
Click to expand...
I would point the holes UP . This way when rain or water gets in the hollow axle it won't just run into the hub . When you park on the sidestand , the water should run out the end of the axle.
 
Judging by the last days of Norton under SG, it seems that grease was an expensive commodity for that company. I have always greased mine with Castrol waterproof grease...don't suffer many problems.
Waiting for someone to ask if it's an April 1st joke! I promise you - it's not!
 
Not game to remove/fit my own tyres, with the carbon wheels. My dealer (bikes not blow :oops: !) does this simple task without damaging the rims. Don’t know whether they have specific rim protection or inserts for carbon wheels, or they just take more care. I always give them the ‘gypsy’s warning’ though! Which tyres did you opt for iwilson? Steve
 
Having PDI’d many bikes in my time including some very expensive limited run bikes I can attest that there is no grease used at the factories. If they did your new bike would arrive covered in greasy fingerprints and you would not be happy. I always removed both wheel spindles,greased and replaced as part of the PDI which usually took 1-2 hours depending on the bike followed by a 7 mile test ride to thoroughly check it over. I have noticed on another forum people in America picking up new bikes with zero miles on and then finding problems that would be picked up with decent preparation and a road test.
 
With people buying new bikes over the internet etc, it's not suprising that there is zero PDI carried out. The old fashioned dealers were the ones who brought the factory customer loyalty.
 
Dogsbody said:
Having PDI’d many bikes in my time including some very expensive limited run bikes I can attest that there is no grease used at the factories. If they did your new bike would arrive covered in greasy fingerprints and you would not be happy. I always removed both wheel spindles,greased and replaced as part of the PDI which usually took 1-2 hours depending on the bike followed by a 7 mile test ride to thoroughly check it over. I have noticed on another forum people in America picking up new bikes with zero miles on and then finding problems that would be picked up with decent preparation and a road test.
Click to expand...
Anybody hear about KINEO wheels ? HPS in UK are selling these now and say they are a direct fit , spoked , light and tubeless . Not cheap though . These will certainly have an improved cush drive design ! Have a look at the HPS website , I read this :



Kineo Wire Spoked Wheels for Norton Commando 961 2011> onwards​


Ref: KINNC961



GO TUBELESS
...with Classic Beauty, Modern Dynamic Performance and Safety Combined

The unique and proven Kineo system enables the 'Classic Spoked Look' to be available for your Norton Commando 961... but with all the dynamic handling and safety benefits provided by modern tubeless tyres. They are also fully compatible with tubed-type off road tyres too.

Built to order in your chosen colour combination - and supplied complete and ready for easy installation, after simply mounting your discs and tyres - Kineo wheels are an extremely straightforward upgrade.




  • All required bearings, spacers and tyre valves pre-installed
  • Your original front discs and disc bolts will mount directly (or we can supply upgraded items)
  • Single-sided rear wheel installs straight onto your bike's swinging arm/rear hub
  • Unique technological design which looks absolutely fantastic!

We're experienced in assisting specials builders complete their creations and will be very happy to help if you need non-standard hubs/wheel combinations/widths - or simply a gearing change - please don't hesitate contact us directly to discuss.
 
I have seen many specials with Kineo wheels, they are well made and very beautiful
 
I would prefer an alloy mag wheel, but never the less, very nice option for Norton owners.
True tubeless, original discs direct bolt-on, better cush drive.
 
TonyA said:
Anybody hear about KINEO wheels ? HPS in UK are selling these now and say they are a direct fit , spoked , light and tubeless . Not cheap though . These will certainly have an improved cush drive design ! Have a look at the HPS website , I read this :



Kineo Wire Spoked Wheels for Norton Commando 961 2011> onwards​


Ref: KINNC961



GO TUBELESS
...with Classic Beauty, Modern Dynamic Performance and Safety Combined

The unique and proven Kineo system enables the 'Classic Spoked Look' to be available for your Norton Commando 961... but with all the dynamic handling and safety benefits provided by modern tubeless tyres. They are also fully compatible with tubed-type off road tyres too.

Built to order in your chosen colour combination - and supplied complete and ready for easy installation, after simply mounting your discs and tyres - Kineo wheels are an extremely straightforward upgrade.




  • All required bearings, spacers and tyre valves pre-installed
  • Your original front discs and disc bolts will mount directly (or we can supply upgraded items)
  • Single-sided rear wheel installs straight onto your bike's swinging arm/rear hub
  • Unique technological design which looks absolutely fantastic!

We're experienced in assisting specials builders complete their creations and will be very happy to help if you need non-standard hubs/wheel combinations/widths - or simply a gearing change - please don't hesitate contact us directly to discuss.
Click to expand...
Cheaper than the Norton BST carbon wheels for non-ABS bikes - nice!
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Cheaper than the Norton BST carbon wheels for non-ABS bikes - nice!
Click to expand...
Yes they are. But then they don’t have the benefits of CF do they?

These rims allow tubeless, which is good. But apart from the 2lbs (ish) of the tube there is no weight saving. In fact, if you look at the design and how they have those bushes (or whatever the term is) that the spokes locate into, the wheels must surely be heavier than stock wheels with plain alloy rims.

And neither to you get the ‘drop dead gorgeous factor’ of exposed weave CF !

In other words, IMHO, these Kineo rims are pretty close to pointless.
 
Fast Eddie said:
In other words, IMHO, these Kineo rims are pretty close to pointless.
Click to expand...
So with a nod to your experience of these things Nigel do you think it is possible to get a significantly lighter spoked wheel set? For not much more than the cost of a set of carbon wheels I could buy a nice little race bike which would outperform the 961 on all fronts and I think that a set of carbon wheels on the Norton would look as wrong as a set of OZ split rims on my Morgan......
 
My experience is very limited here Clive!

But to answer your question, no, I don’t think you can do much.

The bike already has alloy rims and (to my eye) fairly light hubs. So you can’t save any real weight there, or with spokes, or with tyres.

There are kits out there designed to seal the spoke holes and allow tubed rims to run tubeless. That could save you 2lbs (or more?) per wheel with all of that saving being from the outer circumference, thus having a positive impact on gyroscopic forces (in theory) and very low cost. In terms of cost / benefit, this has to be worthy of further investigation I’d say.

I’ve never ridden a bike with carbon wheels (not rich enough) and have certainly never ridden a bike before / after to compare.

Those that have claim transformational benefits. My sceptical side wonders how much of this is sub conscious reinforcement of a very expensive purchase!? But, like I say, everyone I know that’s tried them raves about the impact, and I doubt they can all be wrong !
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: MAK
Fast Eddie said:
My experience is very limited here Clive!

But to answer your question, no, I don’t think you can do much.

The bike already has alloy rims and (to my eye) fairly light hubs. So you can’t save any real weight there, or with spokes, or with tyres.

There are kits out there designed to seal the spoke holes and allow tuned rims to run tubeless. That could save you 2lbs (or more?) per wheel with all of that saving being from the outer circumference, thus having a positive impact on gyroscopic forces (in theory) and very low cost. In terms of cost / benefit, this has to be worthy of further investigation I’d say.

I’ve never ridden a bike with carbon wheels (not rich enough) and have certainly never ridden a bike before / after to compare.

Those that have claim transformational benefits. My sceptical side wonders how much of this is sub conscious reinforcement of a very expensive purchase!? But, like I say, everyone I know that’s tried them raves about the impact, and I doubt they can all be wrong !
Click to expand...
Once you have tried carbon there is no turning back!!
 
Fast Eddie said:
Yes they are. But then they don’t have the benefits of CF do they?

These rims allow tubeless, which is good. But apart from the 2lbs (ish) of the tube there is no weight saving. In fact, if you look at the design and how they have those bushes (or whatever the term is) that the spokes locate into, the wheels must surely be heavier than stock wheels with plain alloy rims.

And neither to you get the ‘drop dead gorgeous factor’ of exposed weave CF !

In other words, IMHO, these Kineo rims are pretty close to pointless.
Click to expand...
You get a better cush drive hopefully . And they look a lot better , and they are stronger ! And what happens when we can't get cush drive rubbers from TALON ? Not your problem I know .
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top