Hubs on a lathe

Caferider

Joined
Oct 10, 2010
Messages
189
I decided I couldn't live with the looks of the stock hubs/brakes on my 650SS and had to do something about it.

I found a TLS brake at a good price and couldn't have the hubs looking all nasty with such a work of art. (Thanks Jean, the check will be in the mail on the first of the month) I couldn't cut all the fins out or get them perfect, on my little lathe but I think they look 100% better now.

As usual I didn't think of taking pics until I was deep into the project. I chucked up the front hub and dove in not knowing what I was about to get my self into. Before shots of the mess, the Castings on the rear were terrible and the front were not far off.

Hubs on a lathe


Hubs on a lathe


Hubs on a lathe


Hubs on a lathe


Hubs on a lathe


I think they look much better now.

Hubs on a lathe


Hubs on a lathe


Hubs on a lathe


Hubs on a lathe


Hubs on a lathe


Two more to do for the commando.
 
bwolfie said:
Peer pressure is a bad thing, isn't it?
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LOL....Yes it is.

But I really hate casting marks and love bright and shinny stuff :D so I cant help myself.
 
Caferider said:
bwolfie said:
Peer pressure is a bad thing, isn't it?
Click to expand...

LOL....Yes it is.

But I really hate casting marks and love bright and shinny stuff :D so I cant help myself.
Click to expand...

Bright and shiny is a virus that spreads all over the bike. Once one area is infected, it all will be. :mrgreen:
 
swooshdave said:
Bright and shiny is a virus that spreads all over the bike. Once one area is infected, it all will be. :mrgreen:
Click to expand...

This is exactly why I don't ever clean or polish anything :oops: Hubs look fantastic though
 
Thanks, guys the polishing was the easy part, getting them cut and ready was a pain. It only makes me want a better lathe, but them I would need a much bigger shop. Not that I'm not looking for both :D
 
britbike220 said:
Where's the rest of that bike?
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The engine is scattered between the machine shop and my engine stand, the rest is in three tuff bins in the shop minus Alloy Petrol /oil tank, rims and tires, Im still looking for those.

Jeandr said:
What kind of lathe is that?

Jean
Click to expand...

bwolfie said:
It looks like a Shopsmith.
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Correct its a 1950 Shopsmith 10ER. I only used it as a drill dress/ horizontal boring machine before and it is great. I saw a 5 inch lathe chuck for it on ebay and thought I would give it a try. Like I said it works great for polishing but not for cutting.
 
grandpaul said:
My eyes hurt.
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Really? I havent even taken them to the wheel yet, Ill get a few hours of rouge and cotton in the face tomorrow, thank god for my respirator.
 
I like that you left the fins. I think it looks better then the ones that are made flat. Polishing is a fine line to me, some things just look better if they aren't over done, I had Buchanons polish the spoke flange of my rear hub and Iv'e been trying to make it dull again ever since. Some day I'll take the spokes out and bead blast it! Your wheel looks great!
 
gtsun said:
I like that you left the fins. I think it looks better then the ones that are made flat. Polishing is a fine line to me, some things just look better if they aren't over done, I had Buchanons polish the spoke flange of my rear hub and Iv'e been trying to make it dull again ever since. Some day I'll take the spokes out and bead blast it! Your wheel looks great!
Click to expand...

Have you tried to etch it? You can get an AC condenser cleaner that will totally kill the shine, or NAPA carries Aluma Bright it will clean all your aluminum just spray on let soak and rinse off. It will etch anything that is highly polished, I have found out the hard way.
 
Thanks Greg, will that stuff dull the stainless spokes too? I guess I could mask them off.
 
I havent seen it do anything to SS at all.

Aluma Bright does contains hydrofluoric acid and should be handled with care and proper safety equipment used.
Always follow the instructions and test it on an inconspicuous area.
Your results may vary.
I am not a paid representative of Aluma Bright and will not be held liable.

:mrgreen:
 
I did the Commando front disk hub this afternoon. I think it turned out pretty good, probably because I had to turn it at a faster speed due to a broken belt / hurried change up kinda thing. I gotta fix it cause the rear hub didnt like spinning that fast.

Hubs on a lathe
 
Jeandr said:
I should have kept it :wink:

Jean
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Jean, And I thank you for it. It was in great shape to begin with so it didn't take very long to get it looking like this.
 
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