Making a couple of mid-70s bikes campus ready for my friend's college-age kids. Both asked for mechanical simplicity. Going to single speed and nutted axles from quick-relase for wheel theft protection.

It occurs to me that I should be able to find new replacement axles with cones, maybe. I'd prefer new rather than messing with used ones. I'd like to use nice track nuts as well.

Same Maillard hubs on both wheelsets (different wheels pictured on the Raleigh).

Spacings on both bikes appear to be 91 front, 126 (maybe 120) rear.

Can you point me to a source for replacement axles?

EDIT: I'm concerned about getting the correct length, axle diameter, cone diameter (is that a thing?!?) and spacing if the axle comes with spacers and cones.

Photos to entice readers:

Just get an axle with the same threading and long enough to put the nuts on. There are several places that sell them on line and certainly a local bike shop can get what you need. I might have the name wrong but I have gotten axles from Wheels Manufacturing before that did what I wanted. You pretty much had to order them and I got them from a shop that had a QBC catalog. Roger

I think you can still get complete axle kits with cones and nuts.

I really do not see the point of the SS conversion, or even the solid axle swap. Why degrade the bicycle's utility and riding experience?

Bicycle theft was rampant when I attended UCLA (1968-78), and we just pulled the front wheel, set it next to the back wheel, and ran a lock through the frame and both wheels. Some folks just took the front wheel with them to class, instead.

An even easier option is locking skewers...

niagaracycle.com has just about anything you'd want.

There's genuine nos Normandy solid axles on eBay - easier to find than gen hollow. As John stated a long lock will do the trick though.

It pains me to pull off the original equipment. But these riders are people who are confused by gears and quick releases, and they don't care to learn. They're not going to separate the wheel from the bike in order to lock it up. They're not going to carry it with them to class. The bike needs to work in the simplest way possible. They still want elegant transport. They will be inconvenienced if it's missing a wheel when they come to ride it. Why not make it as easy as possible for them?

I'm going to look at locking skewers. Didn't think of that.

I suspect you are going to do a lot of work and some money for bikes that will never be used. Roger

Great. You enjoy your negative thoughts about people you don't know, and I'll enjoy giving to people I love. Everybody wins.

Solid axles are available from several sources. When I need something fast I usually hit Amazon. If you want a better price go to ebay & order straight from China but, be prepared to wait a month before part arrives. Get some new ball bearings & a little tub of green waterproof grease too. The axle length can run much longer than needed. So, if you're concerned about space get the longer ones. Order a couple bike locks too.

Those bikes will use 10mm rear axles & 9mm front. Take an ordinary ruler and measure length of existing axles. Add about 40 - 50mm length for a solid axle. Order axle sets that include cones, spacers, washers, & nuts.

That was super helpful. Thank you!!!

I wonder if bolt on skewers would be a easier solution.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...olt+on+Skewers

Roll my answer is based on 30+ years of being a teacher and from bicycle marketing done by Trek that the average bicycle sold by them never gets more than 200 miles on it. I don't think badly about kids or adults I am just realistic. Roger

Seems like a yes, no, or source would be appropriate......