caintuck

My axle broke, probably because the 1983 Shimano 600 rear hub couldn't bear the total weight on my shopping trips [20 kg (stuff) + 15 kg (bike weight) + 75 kg (me)]. You can read about my hub problem at

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t=Tire+rubbing

My LBS told me, believe it or not, that hollow 126-mm axles simply are not available in Japan any longer from the big names (though I'm searching for boutique makers/suppliers and am hopeful). So any of you guys know where I might pick up one (or two). I've looked at Harris Cyclery; with a 75.00 minimum for international orders plus 30.00 or more for shipping, well no way.

Thanks for any help at all.

dabac

If you have (access to) either a Dremel, an angle grinder, a bench grinder, or even a hacksaw with carbide blade you should be fully able to take any 130/135 mm hollow axle with the correct thread and cut it down to size with a modest effort.

caintuck

An idea worth looking into, dabac. Thanks.

mortenfyhn

I've also had a hollow axle for a 126 mm hub break. The LBS bloke found a new one with the same threading (M10), and cut it in no time with a bench vise and a hacksaw. He got the length (which ought to be about 137 mm) all wrong, but that's another story.

It is a bit odd that your LBS didn't mention cutting a too-long axle as an option.

HillRider

A more permanant, if somewhat more costly, fix is to replace the wheel with a freehub and cassette based wheel. Shimano freehubs have pretty much ended the broken axle problem by placing the drive side bearing outboard against the dropout face. You can possibly still find a 126 mm hub or use a 130 mm hub which will be a mild force fit in your frame.

fietsbob

also consider just installing a solid axle, instead of the QR,
then when you put the nuts on to fix it in place,over length is no problem..

Or put an IG hub in it,
many are sold as 120 wide, and a couple 3mm washers added will be fine.

remove the derailleurs and Ebay them for the OCD accurate restorers.

ultraman6970

Go to bike tools etc, they have what u need and more. The other one is loose screws or something like that. If the axle is longer just chop it using a dremel and done with it.

gyozadude

Haven't been to Japan in a few years, but bought a tonne of small parts from Tokyuu Hanzu (Tokyuu Hands) in Shibuya last time. Top floor had an amazing amount of small stuff on bicycles and the guys there were pretty cool about helping, just had to ask. They carried tools too. Times have changed, though. Not sure if that's still there.

caintuck

Thank you all for the many suggestions.

Since posting yesterday, I have engaged my brain: My sister's husband works for a major shipper. She will ship an axle I ordered from Harris this morning, using hubby's big discount.

I will stop riding with loaded touring weights on a hub not designed for such. Hopefully, that will help. If this one breaks, I'll go with a solid axle.

dabac

Whether it's solid or hollow isn't the issue, but the quality is. In terms of bending and twisting, the forces exerted on the material gets smaller and smaller the closer to the center that you come, so there really isn't much strength lost by using a hollow axle. A good quality hollow axle will be stronger than an average quality solid axle. Of course a good quality solid axle will be stronger than a hollow axle, but not by much.

MudPie

Me too. I stumbled into the Tokyu Hands in Shinjuku and came out with all sorts of genuine Shimano small parts.

caintuck

dabac, thanks for that information. I've learned and am learning so much from the members of Bike Forums, much appreciated.

I did not know that Tokyu Hands carried bike parts. Looks like the next time I'm in town (Tokyo) I'll definitely have to stop by TH. Used to shop at the one in Machida for hard to find stuff (not bike stuff), but it closed. Hope they still carry the Shimano small parts. Thanks for the heads-up.