I rebuilt an 82 that was missing the front axle. The front axles for the 82 are impossible to find used because of the issue you'e having. Its shorter than the 83 84 because the lower tubes on the 82 are just flat metal where the axle goes through. The 83 has reinforcement blocks welded in. It was easier to replace the lower tubes with those from an 83 and use an 83 front axle (with new OEM plastic inserts and fork boots). Came out like new. I still have a very nice 83 axle and a couple of those front fork springs laying around. Not sure on the condition of the springs.
2006 Honda TRX 450ER
1983 Honda 200e Big Red (sold)
1986 Honda 350x (sold)
1982 Honda 200e Big Red (sold)
1984 Honda ATC 70 (sold)
1985 Honda ATC 110 (sold)
1988 Suzuki LT80 Quadsport