Bike wheel question

[migel101]

So i see everywhere don't use bicycle wheels on karts or minibikes, but i was wondering why? Is it because the spokes do not provide sufficient rigidity?

 

[porsche930dude]

yea theyre pretty weak. they can be used in certain situations like choppers have alot less weight up front . Also it depends on the size of the wheel and how heavy it is. but you definatly wouldnt want them as a drive wheel. on karts as your turning it puts a lateral load on the wheel which bicycle wheels are not designed to handle

 

[Cam]

Yes they are common on mini choppers as front wheels, being easy to mount and the fact they arnt too load bearing.

Try using scooter/moped wheels, preferably old ones with spokes - suzuki FA50 rims, they are so old school.

 

[migel101]

i was wondering though if i could use a small one as a drive wheel if i reinforced it, say with flat-stock or something like that.

 

[robbie]

What kind of reinforcement did you have in mind?

 

[migel101]

im not quite sure how to describe it but sort of putting rebar or flat-stock where the spokes are.

 

[honda-gx-power]

Best off using 10 inch pit bike wheel

 

[robbie]

im not quite sure how to describe it but sort of putting rebar or flat-stock where the spokes are.

I suppose you could do that. I'd never tell anybody not to try something unless I saw a disaster coming, but I'm wondering how much benefit you will gain from going to that amount of trouble. I can see how the reinforcements might be far stronger than the wheel itself after you finish.

What's your motivation for this project? Do you like the size of the wheel? You like narrow tires? Or are bicycle tires the only thing you can get?

I just noticed that you are in South America. I know that in most parts of the world the people place a higher value on used parts than we do here in the USA. I am fortunate to be able to buy used lawn mower tires for cheap. What's the availability of used junk in your part of the world? Do you have useful scrap yards nearby? Can you get used ATV or riding lawn mower tires?

 

[migel101]

your exactly right! where someone in the US would get an old mini bike wheel from a friend or the scrap yard, here it would be hard to find a new one even in the capital. i have some old little kid bike wheels lying around, and i wanted to build a mini bike and that was one step closer to being able to if that works. also because they are from a child sized bike the rims are steel not aluminum, easier to weld.

 

[robbie]

your exactly right! where someone in the US would get an old mini bike wheel from a friend or the scrap yard, here it would be hard to find a new one even in the capital. i have some old little kid bike wheels lying around, and i wanted to build a mini bike and that was one step closer to being able to if that works. also because they are from a child sized bike the rims are steel not aluminum, easier to weld.

In that case, there's no reason not to try it.

Just out of curiosity, what country are you in?

 

[migel101]

Chile, its sort of a 2nd-3rd world country so you cant get all the great stuff you cant get in the US.

 

[robbie]

I know a guy in Kansas City who is from Chile. His nickname is Chili. Yeah, I guess it's kind of obvious, but you know how people love to come up with obvious nicknames. There's another guy from Scotland who hangs around with the same people (musicians), and guess what they call him. Score ten points if you guessed "Scottie".

Anyway, I'm sometimes amazed when I hear that used stuff is unavailable. When you think of how much junk they ship out of China, it seems like the whole world would be up to its armpits in used parts by now.

 

[honda-gx-power]

When i was in turkey there was china moped 50cc that go for £600 brand new over here in uk and over there they worked out over £1000.And i no hes not in turkey but its an example.Like i said before just use pit bike wheels there very cheap of ebay.
Cant see kids bike wheels working no matter what you do?Depends on weight tho realy.
I dont understand pounds in weight i only know weight by the stone.
How old are you even?And did you see the wooden cart someone made on here the other day.They have used kids buggie wheels

 

[migel101]

I havent seen any kind of wheel besides new dirtbike wheels here and as to your age question im under 18 so i dont have like 60 plus dollars to spend on stuff like that. Ebay shippibg would cost a fortune, seriously, we have friends that wanted to ship a box to chile and the estimated shipping cost was over 400 dollars!!

 

[porsche930dude]

small wheels like from a kids bike will be stronger than a big bike just because theyre smaller and theres less leaverage to bend them over. heres a couple bikes iv built with bicycle wheels and never had a problem with them bending. For the back i guess it really depends how much power youve got. motorized bicycles usually only use like 50cc engines.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

DO NOT WELD REINFORCEMENT TO THE RIM!!!!!!!

One, youll have to remove the rubber tire of course to keep it from melting. Two, it might warp the rim horribly. Three, it will be off balance with uneven weights. Four, the rim is thin and you could blow a hole. Five, you wont be able to adjust spoke tension. Permanent damage to all parts of the wheel and youll have no choice but to not use it.

Use the tires the way they are, try them out. I kmow how you feel not being able to get mini bike tires. Not even i, from ct usa, can find anything good price.

 

[porsche930dude]

soldering the spokes together where they cross extremely helps solid them up

 

[Bluethunder3320]

wouldnt it make the wheel warp and not be able to adjust the spokes though?

 

[DustinWolfe]

not all bike wheels are created equal. sure the cheap alloys that come with your standard walmart bike are weak but you get what you pay for. look around there are LOTS of bike wheels that would be more than strong enough for a minibike. anything double or triple wall and 48 spoke would work. also try to get a 14mm axle with it.

 

[porsche930dude]

wouldnt it make the wheel warp and not be able to adjust the spokes though?

well yea it has to be adjusted straight before hand but no it doesnt warp them. they usto do it the early 1900s to bicycles and motorcycle wheels to strengthen them since motorcycles usually used bicycle wheels