Ok so today put the torque wrench on the bugger to the correct spec and turned the head off ... WTF? some softish alloy? Had a similar issue once on a BMW and there was a strong steel replacement part (threads are not the same though). Does anyone know if there is such for the 610/630's? I know it is really the pinch bolts that hold the axle but it is irritating and could have happened out in the bush.
Kelly at Motorsportz has an aluminum one. http://www.motosportz.com/HVA-SS/HVA-SS-Home.htm , I think Dean here sells the Uptite one...so check Cafe Husky stuff. You may even want the wrench you'll come across. http://www.cafehusky.com/pages/cafehusky_merchandise/
I really wish somebody made that axle nut with a 14mm hex on it. I may buy one of the uptite ones and then machine it down to 14mm myself, but that sure is a pain. I don't want to carry a 15mm wrench in my toolkit just for that... Heck, if they want to keep the 15mm compatibility, make it a stepped 15/14mm hex on the end. It's custom machined anyway, why not?
I actually questioned George at Uptite about this. I suggested he make it 16mm so you could use your spark plug wrench/socket. He advised that the axle wrenches supplied by Husky used to be 15mm on one end hence adopted that size. _
Do Huskies still come with that weird 15/27 wrench? Neither of mine did has a factory toolkit... Like I said, if you *have* to retain the 15mm compatibility, make it a 14 and 15mm stepped end...
The bikes dont come with the wrench, but it is readily available and works great for front and rear axles once you get the nut for the front. I get mine from Motosportz...they work great.
EZ fix for this goofy inny 12mm Allen front axle nut: -is to cut an inch or two off your 12mm Allen key, you have lots of length left, the tool is still good -stick a washer on this Allen stub that will slide to the middle and weld it there -the washer is a Stop so the Allen stub does not fall inside the axle -use a 12 mm wrench on it- you already have one in your tool bag. -paint it white so that when you use it on the trail and drop it in the weeds you can find it again.
Or you can go to Harbor Freight and but the Allen socket set that includes the 12mm....but I find the double ended wrench with nuts to be handier. http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog/product/view/id/7763/category/427/
This is what I don't get. It's like a scam to sell wrenches. I think the combined front/rear axle wrench is a good idea, but why not make it in a useful size? I already have a 27mm axle wrench (on my motion pro tire iron) in my toolkit. I don't need another. I already have a 14mm wrench in my toolkit. Why should I buy a front axle nut that I have to buy a special wrench to use? I'd love to not have to carry a piece of allen key (steadydirt, the washer in the middle idea is brilliant!), but I'm not going to trade my piece of allen key for a giant wrench that costs me another 20 bucks. Ok, sorry, I am done ranting on this topic.
My personal theory is that Husky got a deal on 100,000 12mm allen key axle nuts and now they have to use them all up before they can switch to something in a common size/configuration Since this has opened an opportunity for other vendors we all get to spend a few bucks with Motosportz or Uptite to make our lives easier. They even put those goofy nuts on the 449/511 when it came out...giant inventory is the only rational explanation...or the nut manufacturer is someone's shiftless brother-in-law with a lifetime contract !!
http://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-12180...TF8&qid=1359400291&sr=8-1&keywords=12mm allen $4-9. Actually might be a smaller lighter tool albeit singular in use. I got a nice set to get mine ...maybe $20 or so. As has been mentioned elsewhere, in a pinch 2 6mm hex keys can be jammed in there and will work (did in Baja when a guy got a flat.) Couple of the right nuts welded together will work also.
I like your theories, but don't forget the possibility of a Euro Labor Union/Political factor. Remember those new bikes that went in the lake? Buy-em or else!
Phew I think I may have found the TE achiles heel Thanks for the inputs so far - have not decided yet which way I will go but like the fact that the Uptite is stainless and stronger.
I know that this is the fix on some of the BMW oilheads (well sump drainplug actually) and was wondering. Can anyone confirm? Not keen to drop my oil to find out... The parts diagram only gives the axle nut as 'screw' ... which in fact it is rather than a nut. The two drain plugs measure M 14X1.25 and M 22X1.5 ... guess may need to get that vernier out. The thread pitch is critical as well.
