New Project from a new member

[bdie911]

Hey all,
I am trying to get a new mini chopper project started. Very limited budget but I work in a metal shop so I should be able to use my imagination and get things made. I want to start with the front and rear axles but I can't find a good source for parts. My plan is to use a rear tire from a snow mobile trailer 20.5x8-10 which is easy to find but the rear axle hub and related items I'm finding tough to source (hub, rotor, caliper). I'm finding the same with the front axle (wheel, hub, brake). I have a few ideas I found parts for but it seems to be the main big items I can't find a solid source for. I have a 3D drawing I made but it isn't complete yet, mainly the base frame and that is it. Any help anyone can give me would be appreciated, I plan on on posting pictures as I get the cash to buy parts. And I do plan on building the complete frame myself.

 

[mckutzy]

Hello and welcome... that will be a cool ride for sure...

Im about only one of very few here who have used an automotive wheel for use on a mini chopper/bike.
I used a spare tire for the rear tire on my bike I built, I also have another chopper that was given to me, and it has a trailer tire for the rear......

I had to make a complete hub from scratch, at the time I hadn't found a hub or a flange to mate with a solid axle... later I had found one.....
Id recommend going to a live axle as this will makes things easier to construct.
Flanges potentially can be found at shops catering towards farm and other equipment repair/building. If anything a sprocket that fits the register well will do....Unless you have a lathe... then build a hub from a chunk of aluminum......

At the time I had just found a bicycle tire and then later used it as my front tire(still there), But Id recommend a motorcycle/dirtbike/scooter wheel to use as they will handle the abuse of regular riding....

Take a look at my rides and see what you think... I did a total scratch build on my bike...

 

[bdie911]

Here is what I have drawn up so far. It's about 7ft (overall) long and 3ft tall

 

[mckutzy]

Looks good... The same length as mine..
What do you have in mind for tires and such..

 

[Tom Knight]

Fat tire no need for a kick stand .... I like it

 

[ond]

Very cool design ...I like it !!!

 

[bdie911]

I plan on using a 2.5 x 16 moped front tire and a 20.5x8-10 rear tire. Basically the rear tire is one of the fat short tires from a snowmobile trailer.

 

[mckutzy]

Live or dead axle?
Build or buy/bought front forks?
What is the power plant?

 

[bdie911]

I'm planning on building the front forks. Solid for now, maybe build a springer front later. I haven't decided on the axle yet, but I'm leaning towards a live axle. The engine I want is the lifan 125cc with a 4 speed and manual clutch. I'm hoping to be able to cruise comfortably at 50 mph without blowing the engine up. The only suspension it will have is a springer seat.