Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Anyone happen to know off the top of their head what size HEX key/socket the front axle on bikes commonly uses?

im going to buy a set of Hex sockets off the net - i want to make sure i buy a set that includes the correct one

my zrx is 19mm

hth
Matt

Mate, I don't think there IS a common size.

The ZZR600 is 17mm one side (the threaded side) and 14mm the other. I'm pretty sure once you poll the Kawasaki community you'll get an equally random assortment of sizes.

It's nearly worth going to a decent toolshop and ordering the one size you need, otherwise you're going to end up with a half-dozen large unused inhex sockets .

I've tried looking online for a 17mm inhex socket and they're not at all common, although I can get one in a set of six from Sidchrome. I'm baulking at paying $70-odd for essentially one socket though.

It may be easier to get a 17mm allen key and get someone to cut the end off and use it with a 17mm normal socket. Alas they're hardened and the cut method may invalidate the hardness...

MrStompy wrote:Anyone happen to know off the top of their head what size HEX key/socket the front axle on bikes commonly uses?

im going to buy a set of Hex sockets off the net - i want to make sure i buy a set that includes the correct one

haha...common..nup
my GeepeeX was 12mm
my ol GPz7fiddy was 14mm
and the 12R is ...22mm

me..???
I go to a tool store and buy a hex key
to suit the bike
I also have a set of 1, 1.5,3,4,5,6,7,8 9 and 10mm
keys..for general stuff

hth

cheers

MrStompy wrote:Anyone happen to know off the top of their head what size HEX key/socket the front axle on bikes commonly uses?

im going to buy a set of Hex sockets off the net - i want to make sure i buy a set that includes the correct one

ZZR1100 is 22mm. Try buying one of those in a hurry. I had to order one and waited weeks for it.

If you go into your Kawasaki tool kit under your seat you will find that the tube socket that is used for your sparkplugs that one end fits the sparkplugs and the other end fits the nut/threaded side of your front axle.

Cheers,

Matt

Ratmick wrote:I've tried looking online for a 17mm inhex socket and they're not at all common, although I can get one in a set of six from Sidchrome. I'm baulking at paying $70-odd for essentially one socket though.

i think im looking at the same kit
http://www.justtools.com.au/category274_1.htm

i think i will just order the one i need.

MBP wrote:If you go into your Kawasaki tool kit under your seat you will find that the tube socket that is used for your sparkplugs that one end fits the sparkplugs and the other end fits the nut/threaded side of your front axle.

Cheers,

Matt

aha
thanks for the tip.
i will try that out.

i stupidly assumed most bikes would use the same or similar size.

MBP wrote:If you go into your Kawasaki tool kit under your seat you will find that the tube socket that is used for your sparkplugs that one end fits the sparkplugs and the other end fits the nut/threaded side of your front axle.

Cheers,

Matt

Only problem is they are as weak as Neka.... one use and its stuffed.

EBAY!!! i think my Z1000 is 22 or 23mm, but i bought this chunk of steel from a Pom on ebay that he machines up, im think it cost me 8 bucks or somethin, stick it in, and put a shifter on it, and hey presto!!
he does them for a few different bikes.

the zx7r is a 17mm.

i used the head of a bolt to undo it.

get a both with a 17mm head on it, put two nuts on it (to make a lock nut configuration).... and wallah....bob's ur uncle.

MrStompy wrote:i think i will just order the one i need.

You'd think a Sidchrome stockist would be able to order a single inhex socket. If you find anyone who'll sell you a single socket I'm up for a 17mm .

There used to be a really good shop called Ryans Tools at the top end of Elizabeth Street here in Melbourne. Alas I'm not 100% sure if it's still there. I'm going past there tomorrow on the way to Ikea, may pop in if they're still open.