I haven't seen this mentioned yet, so if it's already common knowledge, fire at will...

Anyway, I found that the 12mm (thread size) coupling nuts at my local Ace Hardware just happen to have a 19mm external hex size. Coupling nuts are meant to join together two bolts or pieces of threaded rods -- they're nuts that are about three or four times taller than a regular nut.

Pop it in the front axle, and you have about an inch or so sticking out, ready for your standard 19mm wrench or socket.

One piece, small, light, simple, easy-peasy, and no welding.

Oh, and the best part? Just $2.53 each.

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2002 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom, Dark Metallic Space Blue
1990 Suzuki VX800, Candy Luxury Maroon. And dents.
1983 Suzuki GS850G, Cosmic Blue.

 

Thanks for sharing that very interesting info! Ace, here I come.

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Austin - "This is so much fun, it must be illegal!"
2002 DL1000 - New to me
1978 GS1000 - One owner, still putt'n

Hey Tom.................if you have some spare time..............would you just drop one in the mail to my office..............

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06 DL1000 Red -
"shifts smoother with those mirror extenders!"

00 xr650l -

01 TW200 - resort cruiser

Thanks for the post, picked up two at $2.20 ea, one for the garage, one for under the seat. Going to pitch my bolt w/two nuts locktited tool, this is much better.

The strange part is that when I looked at coupling nuts in Menards, they didn't have any that were 3/4" or 19mm in diameter. I also checked http://mcmaster.com and their metric coupling nuts were different diameters as well, although you could find a couple of 3/4" sizes that were around $5 each.

Ace must use a different supplier or something, so double-check before you leave the store.

Seems really odd that Suzuki didn't include anything in the onboard tool kit, but I guess it's a relatively minor mystery on the scale of Great Suzuki Mysteries.

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2002 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom, Dark Metallic Space Blue
1990 Suzuki VX800, Candy Luxury Maroon. And dents.
1983 Suzuki GS850G, Cosmic Blue.

3/4" hex bar stock is the absolute strongest and best option for an axle tool. Trust me....................just ask Badtraindriver, Firedog45 and Donstrom!!

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BRIAN "actually joined May 2005"
2005 DR650 "Betty" 2008 GTR1400 "MEGATRON" Dearly departed 2005 DL1000

My buddy has his own metal fab company.........ha ha ha !!!!!!

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BRIAN "actually joined May 2005"
2005 DR650 "Betty" 2008 GTR1400 "MEGATRON" Dearly departed 2005 DL1000

Or you can just get the multi sized Motion Pro tool for about 60 bucks!

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DL1000K9
I wouldn't spend a nickel at DelAmo Motorsports!

Buy an offcut for pennies at a local metal supply place.

I got a 6" piece for the cost of a coffee.

http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/

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Nice one! I picked one up yesterday. Note: the salesman at Ace showed me where they are but said they are out of the 12mm. I think he was thinking I meant 12mm hex size. So, take a look at the bins, it's probably right there. Thanks, bwringer.
Tom