exfreewheeler

I have a new Formula wheelset that I want to put on my Raleigh conversion.

The problem is that the axle don't fit into the fork drop-outs.

I know I can file them to open them a little but I rather not as this is a TI-Raleigh, made in Nottingham frame, probably from the 1960's that was never built-up... new old-stock.

Main reason is that a thief won't be able to steal them because they won't come off the fork

I would like to remove the hub axle but I have never done this. I don't want anything to fall out that I would not know how to put back together. But I would also take this as an opportunity to learn about the hubs.

Can I safely remove the axle without bearings and inside stuff falling out?

What tools would I need?

onetwentyeight 

you can safely remove the axles, though the bearings might fall out. there really isnt much else inside a hub besides the bearings and possible a few seals. you can always just pop em back in, its pretty easy. you will need a pair of cone wrenches. its pretty easy. im not really sure what removing the axle will accomplish for you though. going to replace it with something else?

endform

I don't think I've ever seen any cartridge bearings just "fall out." Also how tight is the fit? Why not just bend the fork legs the required half millimeter if it's really just a matter of that small of a distance. Is the axle itself too wide? to fit into the dropout or is the over-luck-nut measurement too wide. Just file the axle if it's the part that's holding up the train.

Retem

just fill the forks a little

baxtefer

file the axle

LóFarkas

Am I right in thinking that your fork end is sorta 2/3 of a circle, and you'd like to install the front wheel by sticking the axle in from the side? You shouldn't. I dunno how difficult/time consuming it is to take out/reinstall cartridge bearings, but you certainly don't want to have to do it every time you remove your wheel. Do you want a tube change to take an hour?

Aeroplane

This is the way to go.

However, with a formula hub, you can't remove the axle without taking out at least one of the bearings. The axle is stepped and presses against the center of the bearings on the inside of the hub body. Here's what you do:

1. Measure and mark the distance from the outside of one locknut to the other. This will be where you file when you take the hub apart.
2. Get some cone wrenches and take of the locknuts and "cone" nuts.
3. Pound on the end of the axle with a mallet. This should pound out the opposite bearing as well.
4. Take the bearing off the axle.
5. Measure on the axle the spots where you need to file. File down until those spots fit through the fork.
6. Put the axle back in the hub. Use the track nuts to tighten the bearing back into place on top of it, or else just use a mallet or a piece of wood. Go slow.
7. Put the cone and locknut back on and adjust the hub properly with the locknuts.
8. Ta-Da!

exfreewheeler

Yes, that is the problem. The axle is too big to go into the dropouts.

I guess I will just have to file the dropouts a couple of mm's. I don't want to file the axle since those hubs are going on my BFSSFG IRO.

Thanks to All, for the help.

dirtyphotons

do what you want, but axles are cheap. ti raleighs are not.

you could take the axle out and measure in order to file it. but i don't see why you'd go to all the trouble, unless the spacing's off. i'd just file it while it's in the hub.

even after it's filed, it should still work on your iro.

exfreewheeler

Really???

What do you know about them?

I think I will file the axle and do a little more investigating.

Is there a specific cone wrench size I need or do I have to take the wheel with me to buy the wrench?

Shiznaz

You will probably need a 15mm and a 17mm.. I could be wrong though

dirtyphotons

ok, i was generalizing, sorry. i'm not an authority on raleighs, i was speaking based on a few experiences and hearsay.

some ti raleighs are very collectible. i'm sure some are just old bike frames. there's a lot of info on the net about them, sheldon has a nice page as well as a vintage lightweight bicycle pricing guide. all the prices are low though, it was written ten years ago.

cheers and good luck, and if you ever need a new axle tony from iro can help you out.

exfreewheeler

No, It's cool. I was thinking about selling the frame to buy some parts for my CC-Fixie arriving this week. But I think I'll keep it

I read they are from around the early 1960's. It's practically in mint condition, for something that's been around for almost 40 years