Converting Quick Release to Wing nuts
 

I have a Fuji Helion mini velo with quick release axel. Been working on this bike. Looks so classic and vintage with all the mods. I just got some vintage wing nuts and they don’t seem to fit existing QR axel.

get some wing nuts that are the right size? lol. Threads are threads

In order thread nuts onto an axle, it needs to protrude significantly beyond the outboard faces of the dropouts. Axles intended to be used with quick-release skewers generally don't do this, because it would interfere with the skewer.

The OP probably needs to either find a suitably-long axle that will work with their hub, or find a different wheel or hub that has a suitably-long axle built in.

edit: But you're right, if the nuts don't thread onto the axle even when it's off the bike, that's another problem to deal with.

If you spend your life chasing what is fashionable and trendy you will always have problems.

You will always have problems anyway.

I didn't realize axle wingnuts were currently fashionable and trendy.

Thankfully, he's trying to backdate his bike and make it less trendy. So he should be OK.

Remember that the quick release was invented by Tulio Campagnolo because wing nuts are such a pain. And you would need a longer axle so that there is enough protruding past the dropout so that the wing nuts can get adequate purchase. Seems like a kludge. But then maybe you are "A dedicated follower of fashion" (See Ray Davies)

I don't believe wing nuts were ever made in 9 or 10mm modern axles sizes. Most are 3/8 or 5/16

Not true. They were fairly common in low end Euro bikes in the early '70s and late '60s (and before) and those axles were 9 and 10 mm.

Wait...you think wingnuts that came on Euro bikes in the early part of the century thru the mid part of the century are in fractional sizes not metric?

Yes, 9.5mm and 8mm 3/8 & 5/16. VO made some 9 & 10mm ones for modern axles for a while and there are some others randomly floating around the internet. If you can post a link to 9 & 10mm wingnuts in stock somewhere please do.
​​​​​​https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-new-ones.html

Wing nuts are terrible, they do look cool on a vintage machine but they are tightened by hand and need to be checked regularly for them coming loose so you don't lose a wheel while riding and have a nasty crash

If you want to fancy things up and give it more of a vintage look these are a treat, I have them on my touring bike and they are fantastic:
https://www.paulcomp.com/shop/compon...lease-skewers/

Not sure if there were also metric wing nuts on European bikes in the '60s and '70s, but here's an eBay listing for fractional Huret wing nuts:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/303217564380

Those things look like sh*t!

My understanding for wind nuts was to be able to easily remove a wheel without needed a wrench.

The issue is that you cannot apply enough torque to get them sufficiently tight. There is just not enough leverage.

John

A vice grip could be clamped onto each end for more leverage.

Sounds like they had enough leverage when they were in regular use.

Vice grips were routinely used to secure the rear-wheel wing nuts on Peugeot A08s and the equivalent Gitanes and Merciers and so on when I worked in bike shops in the early '70s. The Huret wing nuts were a bit painful to loosen and tighten by hand. Some other company made nicer polished wing nuts with larger wings that were capable of securing rear wheels properly, but I don't remember the company's name, if I ever knew it.

If they were tightened using a vice grip, sure.

Not hearing a lot of love for wing nuts - I've never had to to deal with them.

Hasnt been my experience. 😂

That's handy as hell out on the road.

back in the day I had a Sears Free Spirit 10 speed with wing nuts

purchased it used - so don't know if the bike was equipped with wingnuts from the factory or they were installed by the first owner

Your mother, Trebek!

Just carry a couple of small ones in jersey pocket. 😀
And maybe a ball peen hammer to smack the end of one of the vice grips to really get the wing nut tight!