As someone noted, Hi-E made special "gradual release" skewers that tightened with a sort of one sided wingnut. I have a few of these, but on the Cuevas I recently rebuild, I used modern Axelrodz skewers, that tighten with an allen wrench, on the Hi-E wheels. Evidently this type of skewer doesn't compress the axle to the extent a traditional QR does. There are a number of such modern skewers available, including some generic ones that Nashbar sells pretty cheap. This would probably solve the problem as well as being more similar to the orginal Hi-E skewers than would a conventional QR.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
Mark Stonich <mark@bikesmithdesign.com> wrote: Kevin,
Bring it over and we'll compare it to Jane's front hub to see if something's different. She doesn't have much clearance between the flange and fork blade. I made her fork with slender old 531 domed blades, I have a couple of ideas that might help. Maybe making slightly wider end caps.
I sent hers back to Harlan in '93 and he replaced the bearings at such a low cost I don't think he charged anything for labor.
There is an aluminum sleeve between the bearing inner races that could be compressed if you tighten the QRs too much. I'd look for a stretchy Ti QR.
At 1/15/2008 01:14 PM -0600, Kevin MacAfee wrote:
>Greetings
>
>I am looking for some information on Hi E hubs, front specifically.
>I have searched the web and cannot find anything specific to what I
>need.
>The front hub has the typical flange that fits into the front fork
>dropouts. The problem is that when the QR skewer is activated, the
>inside of the fork blades compresses against the hub flange
>preventing it from spinning. Am I missing something?
>
>Are the bearings replaceable? It looks like the flanges may come off
>the center tube? Otherwise, I cannot see how the bearings can be
>replaced.
>
>Anyway, any help would be appreciated.
>Cheers
>Kevin MacAfee
>St. Paul
Mark Stonich;
BikeSmith Design & Fabrication
5349 Elliot Ave S. - Minneapolis. MN 55417
Ph. (612) 824-2372 http://bikesmithdesign.com
http://mnhpva.org