Project Snow Bike

[karl]

So I built a minibike from scratch some time ago, snow is approaching , I have the tracks, it gon happen.

See pics.

 

[Nosandwich]

Cool!

 

[vpd66]

Looks like a good start. Are you going to put a ski on the front?

 

[karl]

Looks like a good start. Are you going to put a ski on the front?

Yessir.



Undecided on the powerplant. Might use the 3hp briggs built for 5k , gear steep, and let it scream.

 

[Kartorbust]

What snowblower you rip that track off of? Hope you can find replacements in the future, kind of rare find nowadays.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

[karl]

What snowblower you rip that track off of? Hope you can find replacements in the future, kind of rare find nowadays.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

They are from a 524 craftsman. I have both sides in good shape. Honda/cub cadet/ mtd/ ect make tons of snowblowers everyday with tracks. If I burn both out they are easy to locate.

 

[Kartorbust]

Never see many anymore at least at stores. Guess they come and go in popularity. Glad you can get replacement parts.

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[landuse]

This should be good! !

 

[karl]

The trac drives are simple, a 3/4 shaft runs through the middle, it mounts the trac, gives it a pivot point, and acts as a jackshaft. Plastic bushings will get replaced with bearings , and one sprocket off the side goes directly to clutch.

 

[karl]

Should look like this, with 2 bearing tabs on the frame.

Will be geared for 18mph @ 3600.

 

[vpd66]

Just out of curiosity, what is the inside diameter of that track? The whole setup looks simple enough that maybe you could just build something simular. Use an old truck tire with the side walls cut off for a track. Just an idea.

 

[KartFab]

thats so cool! cant wait to see this one. I have seen someone do the track with truck tires, then pvc pipe bolted into the inside edges of the tire to keep everything aligned.

 

[Denny]

In 1976 I believe Chrysler (Yup, the same one) built a Snow Bike similar to what you are building there. They sucked! they only ended up selling 200 or so. Good luck.


Denny

 

[karl]

I am aware of the chrysler snow bike. I kind of stole the idea, please dont tell lol
I should have an update tonight, I just got some cobalt drill bits to drill into the hardened lawn mower axle. The shaft laughed at all my hss bits.

 

[karl]

I found out lawn mower shafts are case hardened.

Very expensive Matco cobalt bits did not touch it.

My stepdad gave me an awesome tip, masonry drill bits meant for brick, stone, ect have a chunk of carbide, and can go through just about anything. It might not last long, but the bit cost around $3, and if you need a hole , it is very worth it.

So here is the final mock up, time to cut down the shaft and assemble it for real.

 

[bob58o]

Have you checked the Clutch sprocket to JS sprocket alignment?

Maybe you want to space that clutch out a bit?
Move the engine over a tad?
Flip that JS sprocket around?

Aint no way you're going to run a chain from that clutch to that sprocket like that without another jackshaft. Or a PTO extender. Or moving the engine way off center.

Am I missing something?

Do you need any kind of suspension for the rear?
I keep trying to imagine a situation where the tracks gets turned around or become pointed down or something.

 

[karl]

Have you checked the Clutch sprocket to JS sprocket alignment?

Maybe you want to space that clutch out a bit?
Move the engine over a tad?
Flip that JS sprocket around?

Aint no way you're going to run a chain from that clutch to that sprocket like that without another jackshaft. Or a PTO extender. Or moving the engine way off center.

Am I missing something?

Do you need any kind of suspension for the rear?
I keep trying to imagine a situation where the tracks gets turned around or become pointed down or something.

The sprockets can line up fine, no worries.


I am planning on letting the track pivot about 2 or 3in. No shocks, only bump stops. Just enough to adjust to terrain, but not go all cattywhampus.

 

[bob58o]

Cool. I thought it was off more that.

I'm very excited about this!
I watched the Chrysler videos. They looked awesome!

---------- Post added at 11:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:11 PM ----------

PS

Why did you not use the engine and the TC that was on the minibike originally?
Wet Belt?

 

[karl]

Why did you not use the engine and the TC that was on the minibike originally?
Wet Belt?

Well It is the same engine, but I am replacing the 1in bore tillotson with a gx160 carb, because the tillotson is pretty much idle or WOT. And I deleted the choke.

The gx carb is much better sized for a stock 5hp briggs, and should run alot better in the cold.


I decided to go with the centrifugal clutch for simplicity, and I do not think the plastic cogs can handle alot of torque.

 

[karl]

The track is mounted for real.


Ski, chain, carb, then brap.