Front axle rusted in place...

[tkent02]

1981 GS 1100E, has sat for 23 years, got it running, brakes, electrical system, every thing working well, time for tires.
The front axle is having no part of it.
Put a bolt through the hole in the left end of the axle, twisted the axle with a pipe wrench, not even a budge. Pounded the right end pretty good with the axle nut on backwards, nothing. It's been soaking in PB for two days. I'm thinking maybe pull the forks down from the bike and twist them apart, I could at least determine which end of the axle is stuck. Maybe heat up the fork legs and whack it harder?
Any better ideas before I make this into a much bigger project than it is?

[mark_vaughn]

Use a snug 6-side socket and a cheater bar then pray for the best!!

[tkent02]

If's not the nut that's stuck, it's the axle itself, and it's round.

[Nessism]

Most likely it's stuck in the wheel bearings. Sounds like time to brace the fork against a wall with a chunk of wood and wack the axle with a sledge.

[tkent02]

Most likely it's stuck in the wheel bearings. Sounds like time to brace the fork against a wall with a chunk of wood and wack the axle with a sledge.

Violence, I like it.

[Attila the Hun]

Please do not pound on that nut, you'll ruin the thread. Take a piece of aluminum ( it could be a block, or a round stock) put it to the end of the axle and hit it with a hammer, but please don't hurt yourself doing this.

[mark_vaughn]

If's not the nut that's stuck, it's the axle itself, and it's round.

I misunderstood.

Most likely it's stuck in the wheel bearings. Sounds like time to brace the fork against a wall with a chunk of wood and wack the axle with a sledge.

I second this. BFH.

[Griffin]

Don't worry too much about damaging the front axle threads. Cycle Recycle II here in Indy has a box of used axles that one can sift through and match up to one's own damaged axle and purchase for $4.

If you really mess it up getting it off, give me the length and diameter, adn I can find you another one.

[tkent02]

Don't worry too much about damaging the front axle threads. Cycle Recycle II here in Indy has a box of used axles that one can sift through and match up to one's own damaged axle and purchase for $4.

If you really mess it up getting it off, give me the length and diameter, adn I can find you another one.

I actually have another axle. at least if it's the same as a GS 1000...
Just thought I would be civilized and try not using too much blunt force if another option were available.
On the other hand, I do have a really nice splitting maul. :-)

[sharpy]

Have you thought about taking the whole wheel off? Undo the clamps and speedo cable from the drive and take it all out in one go. Take discs off and lay wheel down on some sort of spacing and bash the crap out of the axle that way.

[salty_monk]

Kroil works better than PB blaster. Heat might help but I vote for the big hammer too (using Sharpy's method as no chance of damaging the forks).

Dan

[Nessism]

Have you thought about taking the whole wheel off? Undo the clamps and speedo cable from the drive and take it all out in one go. Take discs off and lay wheel down on some sort of spacing and bash the crap out of the axle that way.

Suzuki put a leading axle fork on the early 1100's for those of us in the US so your technique won't work for us.

[Dave8338]

Use an air chisel with a blunt bit and hammer on it for a few minutes.

I've taken things apart that you'de swear would never see the light of day, with this method. Works very well...

[sharpy]

Suzuki put a leading axle fork on the early 1100's for those of us in the US so your technique won't work for us.

Opps sorry, thought only the very first model had them. But hitting the axle while its just "hanging" there isnt much good as you need a solid backing to shock it free when your swinging that brass/alloy hammer. Still strruggling?. Might be the bearing that are rusted so taking the fork with the clamp off should it lets you swing the axle out with the wheel attached then do plan A. But having said that the speedo drive and axle mightnt let you take the LHS disc off, Bugger

[waterman]

I am in the same situation with a swingarm bolt on my KLX. I have been using PB Blaster all week and a few love taps with my 2lb hammer. I am going to either enlist a larger hammer or start up the torch. I figure either way I am going to have to replace the bearings.

One other radical solution I read about was to sawzall through the bolt and then use a press to remove remaining pieces, Just a thought...