Converting motorcycle rear wheel for bycicle?

Question

I have a project in my head for a chopper style bycicle.I just found out i can get my hands on and old beat-up motorcycle the kind that has wheels whith spokes.

what i want to do is use the motorbikes rear wheel on a custom bycicle frame BUT i want to adapt it so that it will accept bycicle free-wheel/hub cassette system so that i can change gears on the bike with a derailer.

Is this posible?what's the best way to do it if it is?i was thinking about doing some work on the bike's wheel hub maybe something involving wealding .......dunno

Answer 1

You definitely think like me =P

Right now I am fitting a 1980cb 750 motorcycle front wheel on the back of an 83 Honda xl200r dual sport. I just need 2 bearings(cheap) an axle spacer(easy) and some welding (Easy). And the ninja wheels for my 06klx250 are in the mail.

  It's way easier to make spacers than it is to machine down a hub etc. In that being said look for motorcycle front wheel they are usually skinnier and easier to work with for an application such as yours although you might have to widen the rear of the bike. Some mopeds have cast wheels that have skinny hubs so check ebay they are usually cheap. You could also lace your bikes hub to the M-cycle hoop. That's how the Motard guys put street tires on their dirt bikes. Or try using a 1 speed bmx bike so you have a cleaner looking drive system. Hope I helped somewhat with your bling project.

Answer 2

I think it is a cool thing to do my son is chopping an old mini bike. any thing is possible I thing you would have to fab you own frame from Steel or trying to cut up a regular bicycle frame. And went ever you trying to convert some thing there is always welding involved. If you do post some pic I would I like to see it.

Answer 3

anything can be built or welded if you have the training. Building a frame is going to be the hardest challenge. They tend to draw and warp when welding on the tubing. You'll need to clamp it in different areas to minimize the warpage. As laon as you know how to lace spokes, the hub should be easy to interchange although the spike sizes are different. You'll need to drill the holes bigger in the hub. also the number of spokes has to match from rim to rim. Te derailer system can be modified to fit almost anything. Like I said, anything is possible with the training and tools. Good luck and post a pic when finished.

Then consider this, the sprocket on the motorcycle will most likely bolt onto the hub. Get a sprocket off a (what they used to call a buzz bike) smaller bike. Probably the front would work. cut the center out of it and mount it to the motorcycle hub. Assuming you already have the axle sizes figured, the sprocket will gear it down somewhat, possibly a 1:1 instead of a 1:3/ Then as suggested, just use the derailer off a ten or twelve speed on the front sprockets. You MAY even have to gear it a little on the front to keep it from being geared too low.

Note: the smaller the front and the bigger the rear sprocket, the lower the gear.

I THINK bicycles are geared something like1:2.5 or something like that. Count the teeth on the front and rear sprockets and divide the front by the rear and you'll get the gear ratio. You MAY be able to mount the stacked sprockets to the rear wheel but I think it would be a bigger job than needed when you could use a front set. Interesting concept though. Do send or post pics.

Answer 4

just use a single sprocket at the wheel,use a derailer at the pedals

the typical mountain bike has 21 speeds,7 gears in the back,3 in front

Answer 5

Do you know they sell chopper style bikes?