Front wheel axle diameter

[GrahamNR17]

Hi All,

Are there many different front wheel axle diameters?

I have started accumulating the parts to build my replica 30s sports bike and when I tried an old front wheel in my James frame, it didn't fit into the fork dropouts. I'm still looking for my vernier to measure the actual sizes, but in the meantime thought I'd better ask the question. If there are only two different diameters then it makes things really easy.

Many thanks for any pointers

Graham

 

[PpPete]

I did a restoration on a 40's BSA a while ago. The wheels were shot and had to be replaced. 26 x 1-1/4 (not the same as 26 x 1.25!) were a bitch to find. When I did finally get some the front axle wouldn't fit in the drop outs. A few minutes careful work on the drop-outs with a file sorted it.

 

[GrahamNR17]

Thanks porkypete, really useful information. I'd never considered filing the forks, I suppose that at least offers a permanent solution