hitting the odd pothole would put a load of at least 10X the weight,
probably closer to 100 to 1000X the weight on the axle for a few miliseconds
"Jordan" wrote in message
...
I made a rear axle for my rigid-framed motorcycle out of 4140 steel, and
the thing bent in use. I was advised that heat-treatment was optional, but
not really necessary, so I didn't do that. Was this advice wrong?
The axle diameter is 9/16", and bike weight = 375 lbs. I do sometimes hit
the odd pothole, but nothing major.

Jordan