Help!

[Jens]

Hi folks!

My name is Jens I´m from sweden and have already gotten tons of help from the ozvmx forum. I´m in the start of a new project which is building a Suzuki DRM 400 (don´t be alarmed folks, I got a Honda and a Husky aswell AND a Honqvarna or Husonda or whatever you like to call it...) and almost directly I´ve run into a problem to which I´ve not found a solution... YET! My hope lies with you lot.

When fitted the RM swingarm I found that the DR400 rear wheel axle is too short to be fitted into the swing arm so what I´m looking for is a longer axle. Brand doesn´t matter as long as it´s diameter 17mm (actually 16.85 or something) and 285mm long EXCLUDING the bolt head. So please if someone knows how to solve this problem or have a bike with 17mm axle please please, with sugar on top, help me out... PLEASE? 

Jens J

[mx250]

The 17mm axle is fairly common to a number of Yamaha (and maybe other brands) axles both street and trail. I have a collection, I'll have a look.

Now where did I put my verniers.............

[mx250]

Hmmm, I had a look and they were not as many 17mm as I thought . I have a number of 17mm but all too short, from the front of early RD etc. The closest I have is a Monty VB at 310mm but sorry I need that. Maybe a trip to a wrecker/breaker/dismantler/salvage yard (by what ever Swedish word you use) with a ruler and vernier in hand.

[DR]

I have a feeling you'd be chasing the RM250/400 axle from the same model as the arm Jens. Unsure which model the arm is from you are using but suzuki use a stepped down axle as the left chain adjuster has a smaller ID than the right. You'll also need the correct adjusters/axle pullers if you want it to be a bolt up item with no extra work needed. I run a DR500 rear wheel in my RM400 and apart from mixing and matching spacers the axle and adjusters all remained the same RM items. What model swingarm is it??

[LWC82PE]

i was also thinking, why not use the matching RM rear axle that goes with the RM swingarm

[Jens]

Thanks for the input.

The problem with sticking with the RM axle is that it´s only a 15mm axle. Sure i could go for the RM rear wheel but I wanna keep cushion drive since I´ll most likely put a couple of bucks into restoring the motor, maybe cushion drive rally matters or maybe not, but I really don´t wanna gamble. Adjusters/axle pullers will propably not be too hard to make fit with the 17mm axle. The RM axle is from a 1979/80 250. I was thinking that perhaps someone just changed tyre on their XR 600 or similar   bike and just by chance knew the length of an axle that would fit my build, it´s a long shot but you gotta start somewhere. If someone knows a 17mm axle that is longer than 295mm that´s NO problem. It´ll propably end with me having the axle made from scratch, well invested money wouldn´t you all say? 

There always is finding a DR500 rearwheel... just like doc

[oldfart]

Jens Jens , mate if your trying to run your Dr  400/500 rear wheel with a RM c swingarm you need the right adjusters as Doc has stated
I had a Yammy rear axle turned down as a Spare ( from what bike it's from )
Wil post again to give correct LH & RH spacer sizes       think they are off Dr 500 ??

[Lozza]

Why not just swap the wheel bearings to ones with a 15mm ID (assuming there is one) failing that a 1mm machined sleeve would be available at the bearing shop(again I'm assuming you have those in Sweden ) to go 17 to 15mm ID???

[Jens]

Hi again folks!

The ID 17mm bearings got an OD of 47mm whilst the largest OD of SKF´s ID 15mm bearings is 42mm so replacing them is not an option. Perhaps I could get a sleeve but the easiest and most lasting solution would be to get a 295mm (including 10m bolt head) long 17mm axle. Spacers are easy to have made so they´re no problem. Wheel adjuster from a RM250 86-90 something should work and they´re still in stock at some online shops. It´s only that darn axle I´m stuck on. My 43mm forks will arrive this week  , including front wheel with double leading shoes which means stopping power. Not that I ever run fast enought to ever feel the need to break 

P.S

I doubt Jesus would chose 2-T before 4-T 

[DR]

Been through all my spares and the longest 17mm axle I can find is the RM250/400C axle at 292mm but it still has the stepped down end. Closest to that is about 285mm from a KDX250 and it's 17mm all the way but 10mm short of what you need. Everything else I have is shorter. Maybe something from a wide assed roady could be the go. I'd be hitting the wreckers axle bins I think

[Husky500evo]

An '81 Maico 490 (& 250) has a 17mm rear axle that is about 293mm long ( including the 20mm hex head on one end) . Maybe you could stick one of those in a lathe & machine 10 to 12 mm off the inside of the hex head . If you used a Maico axle, your bike may end up turning way better than what you believed could be possible  . 

[Jens]

The swing arm is from a 1979 or 1980 RM250/400. So what I´m looking for is a 17mm axle from a 79/80 RM250/400 since booth of them use a 17mm axle. Excuse me for causing such a fuzz but I´ve always been under the impression that those bikes had a 15mm axle. However I wanna thank you all for taking part in the discussion and helping me out, PRIZELESS! Thank you all! Anyone got an axle and wheeladjusters lying on the shelf please don´t be afraid to let me know 

Jens

and remember, always remember:

[suzuki27]

Jens I may have the rear axle you desire. Give me a day or two(this weekend) and I will check the OOS(Old Old Stock) pile. I have a 250T and am pretty sure I have picked up a spare axle or two.

[DR]

mmm, I've only got the C and kwak items sorry, too short. The story of my life

[suzuki27]

Jens, I measured the ID of a RM250T rear brake plate and it is 15mm. I have a 15mm axle that is 295mm overall in length if it will help.