johnboy888 Hi All, I'm just about ready to install a set of Marchesini 5 spoke magnesium wheels to my bike which is a late (1994) model 888 Strada, so I have 17mm rear axle and 20mm front axle. Both Marchesinis are fitted with 17mm bearings as they came from an 851. I need to change the front bearings from 17mm to 20mm. However, I noticed that the front wheel does not have a bearing spacer, but rather the wheel is solid 17mm all the way through, so the bearings are hard up against the wheel itself. So, apart from changing the bearings to 20mm, I will also need to drill the wheel out to 20mm all the way through. Has anyone had experience with making the hole through the wheel bigger ? Will a normal 20mm metal drill bit be the appropriate tool, or is there a better method ? Any advice welcome. Thanks John
johnboy888 Thanks Adam, Ihope you're right, I'll have to get these bearings out to confirm. I'm not game to do that myself, I'll get that done at the shop. any idea what I can use for a new spacer for 20mm axle ? I see you have a set of three spoke Marchesini Magensiums up for sale, they probably look more period correct for these bikes than the five spoke, but I've already spent a fortune on these five spoke wheels, so I'll have to stick with them, although I would love to have your three spokes as well !! Are you keeping the five spoke on the Adamo race bike ? They look identical to mine. I don't suppose you replaced the cush drive rubbers ? If so where the heck did you source them from ? Cheers, John
nine16 If the spacer is smaller diameter you might have to have one made. Although it doesn't need to be a precision diameter, length is the important part. I'm keeping the 5 spokes as they're lighter and newer. The cush drives are in great shape but you can get replacements on the Webike Japan website. I bought the CF 851 tail and some stuff for my NSR there too.
johnboy888 Thanks for the pointer to webike, I just ordered the last five rubbers they had !! I presume aluminium is the best material for the bearing spacer ? Cheers, John
Jasper It will be just a spacer. You just need to machine up some new ones. If you get stuck let me know, but I'm sure any machine shop could do it for you. They look like this:
johnboy888 Excellent, thanks Jasper. I have a friend with a metal lathe, so hopefully I should be fine. Cheers, John
