|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Increasing Axle Size and Length
I do not have much knowledge on bicycle parts and was hoping to get a
little help. I am using a bicycle tire on the front of a mini chopper I am building. Though the standard axle is to small in diameter and too short. I have taken apart a few different types of front and rear wheels to better understand how they work, and to find a good way to modify one. Everything I have looked at has the cone type bearings. I am very familiar with motorcyles, and I was wondering if their is a bicycle hub similar to a motorcycle hub that will take a standard size press in bearing. The closest thing I have been able to modify is a rear bicycle tire that had a coaster brake in it. I took it all apart, and the hub is very large. The only things I kept from it were the 2 ball bearings that ride on the hub. I then made my own collars which fit inside the bearings and seating on the balls. I then made a shield to keep the grease inside. So I can run any size and length axle up to a 3/4", but I plan on running a 1/2" axle. I don't really need the strength, but more the look of a larger axle. My only concern with this is if these light duty ball bearings will hold up to the little extra wieght and higher speeds the tire will see. This is why I would really like to use a good sealed bearing like on a motorcycle. I have been searching quite a bit online, and any comments, suggestions, or help in finding something like this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Increasing Axle Size and Length
Terry wrote: I do not have much knowledge on bicycle parts and was hoping to get a little help. I am using a bicycle tire on the front of a mini chopper I am building. Though the standard axle is to small in diameter and too short. I have taken apart a few different types of front and rear wheels to better understand how they work, and to find a good way to modify one. Everything I have looked at has the cone type bearings. I am very familiar with motorcyles, and I was wondering if their is a bicycle hub similar to a motorcycle hub that will take a standard size press in bearing. The closest thing I have been able to modify is a rear bicycle tire that had a coaster brake in it. I took it all apart, and the hub is very large. The only things I kept from it were the 2 ball bearings that ride on the hub. I then made my own collars which fit inside the bearings and seating on the balls. I then made a shield to keep the grease inside. So I can run any size and length axle up to a 3/4", but I plan on running a 1/2" axle. I don't really need the strength, but more the look of a larger axle. My only concern with this is if these light duty ball bearings will hold up to the little extra wieght and higher speeds the tire will see. This is why I would really like to use a good sealed bearing like on a motorcycle. I have been searching quite a bit online, and any comments, suggestions, or help in finding something like this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Have you seen BMX hubs with 14mm axles? 14mm is really big, and nearly all such hubs have long axles and cartridge bearings. http://tinyurl.com/cshcz I think any good quality bicycle hub will work for you. Motorized or not, bike/cycle front hubs don't take much of a beating. -Vee |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Increasing Axle Size and Length
On 11 Feb 2006 02:25:02 -0800, "Terry" wrote:
My only concern with this is if these light duty ball bearings will hold up to the little extra wieght and higher speeds the tire will see. This is why I would really like to use a good sealed bearing like on a motorcycle. I have been searching quite a bit online, and any comments, suggestions, or help in finding something like this would be greatly appreciated. Many front hubs used on bikes built for downhill/freeride have a 20mm straight axle, and all of them that I've seen employ a cartridge bearing. Some of those bearings aren't standard sizes, though, so not all of that type of hub would be useful. The rims used for downhill and freeride are also much stronger than those employed for regular bikes, but there are few selections in sizes below the 26" class. One other thing that you might have to worry about; if this project is for something that has to pass a state inspection, will a tire that's not DOT approved cause you a problem? Also, bear in mind that the typical bicycle tire lasts less than 3000 miles when used with just the power of a rider pushing the weight of the rider and very light bike around; at higher speeds and loads, these thin and flimsy tires are going to wear out fast, even on the front. If it's just a show bike, that's prety much irrelevant, of course. One additional thought: Some wheelchairs use smaller-diameter spoked wheels with straight axles and cartridge bearings. That might be another place to look for solutions for a show bike project. -- Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to reply via email. Words processed in a facility that contains nuts. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Increasing Axle Size and Length
Thanks for the great info. This will not be a regularly ridden bike,
so tire wear is not a concern. I will focus my research on the BMX and Mountain bike hubs. A 14mm axle would be perfect especially if I can replace it with any length. I will be using a full size front tire (mountain bike / cruiser), so my best bet would be to find a complete rim and hub from a mountain bike that has a replacable 14mm axle. I'll start looking. Thanks again. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
cage length & cassette size | [email protected] | Techniques | 4 | December 12th 05 06:03 PM |
cage length & cassette size | Joe Dewberry | Marketplace | 1 | December 12th 05 02:39 PM |
Deriving a unicycle crank length formula? | unicus | Unicycling | 47 | October 8th 05 06:41 AM |
Campy BB axle length questions | Donald Gillies | Techniques | 0 | September 12th 05 06:59 PM |
SS Crank Length v. Cog Size | David M. Grey | Techniques | 3 | September 27th 04 09:23 PM |