What Grade of Steel Are Motorcycle Axles?

 Was reading about Grade 5, Grade 8, etc.?

Are motorcycle axles hardened or unhardened?

Grade 5, Grade 8?

Just a curiosity question ... strength vs. ductility ...

Datesfat

 wrote:


How would *we* know, beyond offering a guess that most are probably
about
Grade 5?

If you really want to know, find a motorcycle salvage yard and tell
the guys that
you want to buy some unserviceable axles at scrap prices. Then take
them to a
metallurgy lab for hardness testing.

 
When I was reading about bolt hardness, one of the things they mentioned was
that automobile suspension bolts tend to be Grade 8.  I was just curious
whether motorcycle axles are similar material or different (hard for me as
an amateur to characterize what would be best for the load a motorcycle axle
receives).

Perhaps someone using this group has some experience (perhaps making custom
motorcycle axles, perhaps with something metallurgical).

Since motorcycle axles are so cheap, it would seem simpler to buy a new one
or two and have them tested.

Datesfat

 Datesfat Chicks wrote:

Much simpler just to check your tire pressures.
What's today's excuse for not doing it?

--
Eiron.

 
In all seriousness, I took the motorcycle out for an extended test ride last
night.  It is fine.

I think there were really three factors involved:

a)The wind conditions were "microgust", and this persisted for about 48
hours.  It was hard for me to separate the wind activity from what the front
end was doing.  Very turbulent air, and we don't get this kind of thing
often.

b)Marshall is filled with those "tar snakes", and particularly riding at
night one may not see them, but they contribute to the front end wobbling
around.

c)A lot of the pavement has erosion of the concrete.  When I took the bike
out on different roads, there was nothing noticeable.

Still haven't checked the tire pressures, and don't plan to.  I do it about
once a week.  The tires are fine.  The front end is fine.

Thanks for all your input.

All is, however, unrelated to the issue of what axles are made of.

Datesfat.