The Cal-look Lounge

I've got a pair of Short Axle tubes I need to narrow 5 inchs each side.
What is the best method to do them, cut in the middle?

Any help appreciated!
Lee

I've never tried, but couldn't you remove the tube from the end casting, shorten it and reinstall?

Remove the lock pin in the casting , press out the tube , shorten the tube and press the casting back on and reinstall the pin. It does require a press ( tight fit ) and install a new boot when the end casting is off ;)

Just adding to Terry's list.

- Measure everything before you remove the old tubing!  ;) It's fairly important that the shortening is exact.
- You might need to remove the brake line clips from the tube and weld them on after you're all done. Unless you have detachable ones already...
- You need a suitable tube to push the old one off the casing. You can use and old short piece of axle tubing, maybe slightly grinded undersize or just use lathe to make a suitbale. Sometimes the axletube requires a bit of heat to come off. Press stand needs to be pretty big and sturdy. Those pipes are built to stay inside that casting...
- I did my cutting with a hand grinder. If you have a good sturdy pipe cutter at hand, use that. Also, cut enough, otherwise you end up pressing the pipe back out and milling it again...
- Old side cover is a great backing plate when pressing the casting back into the tube. Measuring the new desired length is easy when you're pressing the casting back little by little.
- Make sure you drill and put the pin back on!!!  ;D

Thanks guys,
Measure twice, cut once ;D