what metal is the spindle made from? are they made from steel?

mostly cheese.

DK-Tandy wrote:what metal is the spindle made from? are they made from steel?

Plated steel. I would imagine it's zinc plating?

without some idiotic answer like cheese...

thanks amorti for a reasonable answer :)

would aluminium be a suitable material for use of the front and rear spindle or not?

Zinc Plated Mild Steel

although i would hazard a guess to say the zinc coating has worn off now 20+ years on :D

Don't be hating the cheese...

7075-T6 would be the only type of alloy I would like to make axles from If I was using an alloy.

The yield strength is not as high as steel or Titanium so you would ideally like to get it hardened. Or you can buy 7075-T651 which is stress relieved.

Picture how much force the axle goes through when you are on the brakes turning into a corner.

You have most of the weight from the bike and rider transferred to the front traveling through the frame to the headstock then down the forks / suspension then to the wheel bearings and axle. so the axle already has a high load of force put on to it, then you also have the movement of both fork legs flexing and pulling away from each other.

So when you think about it there is a lot happening every time you hit the brakes.

So alloy might be good on a small 2T 125 / 250 GP bike where you don't have a large bike/rider weight combo plus you have less braking forces as a 4T bike.