BMW HP Chain Adjusters / FFR Quick Release Wheel Axles
In preparation for my next trackday I've fitted the final parts to my BMW which arrived whilst I was on track at Portim?o. After spending quite a lot of time this season changing wheels I started investigating quick change wheel kits as used in BSB, WSBK and EWC. However some of the options available were both extremely expensive and involved considerable modification to the swingarm. Furthermore most of the conversions available would no longer allow the use of the OEM rear brake caliper and retaining bracket. This would then mean further expense as I would then have to purchase an additional underslung Brembo racing unit and a bespoke rear brake line. After a fair bit of research I finally found a set that were reasonably priced albeit located in the USA.
The company in question is FFR who are well-renowned in the Moto America paddock and can build a set to meet your specification and budget. After a fairly comprehensive email exchange I decided to order a set of their quick release axles built to suit my requirements.
I already had a set of the HP chain adjusters fitted to my bike which I really like as they are cheap and effective. The simple design of the HP chain adjusters also means that they are held captive in the swingarm when changing wheels and they are also quite accurate. To that end I asked if it would be possible to incorporate a set of these into the design of my quick release rear axle. FFR obliged and ordered a set from BMW Motorrad USA on my behalf and then machined a bespoke quick change rear axle kit for me. Together with the HP chain adjusters the rear axle kit incorporates a captive rear caliper bracket to aid rear wheel changes and they also feature a CNC machined billet axle with left-hand threads for quick removal/installation. With the rear kit I can also reuse both my alpha Racing and BST captive wheel spacers again to save cost. When I find time I will also chamfer the leading and bottom edges of the rear brake pads as this just helps with locating the rear brake disc between the pads and into the caliper.
The front quick release axle is much simpler and is machined so that one end goes into the stock axle and the other end stands out so you can capture it with a 27 mm socket. Helpfully the bolt size is now the same front and rear. It is also supplied with a billet axle nut, captive front wheel spacer and shorter left threaded bushing. FFR claim that front wheel changes can be done in 30 seconds with their kit if using an under-yoke type front stand and modifying the front mudguard which then allows the wheel to be removed with the calipers in place. Realistically that would take some practice to achieve but extremely worthwhile if endurance racing. I don't intend to modify my HP front mudguard but front wheel changes are already noticeably faster and so much easier.
Both front and rear quick release axles also come completed with Delrin axle guide tips and I have chosen blue anodised aluminium pull caps to match the HP Race Brake Bleed Valves I already have fitted.
The machining and quality of the parts are excellent and if you are solely doing trackdays, or are racing, I can't recommend the service that FFR provide highly enough. The only small negative point is that I can no longer use my HP front and rear axle protectors, but the utility of the FFR kit heavily outweighs the benefit of having them fitted. I very much prefer function over form but these do look rather good when fitted and certainly wouldn't look amiss on a professionally prepared race bike. From brief, CAD, production, to delivery the whole process has taken several months but the result has been worth the wait. All in all I'm really pleased with them as they should allow much quicker and easier wheel changes next season. That and they are currently the only set like it in existence.