Mounting a car wheel to a bike...?

[mrbig]

I've been thinking about building a custom cruiser bike for some time now. Curved frame, decent stretch and a silly car wheel on the back. Doesn't seem to be many other such builds around, or at least I can't find pictures of one.

For the sake of example, like this but much less dogshit, and pedal powered:


I would probably stick with a bike wheel on the front (maybe a fat bike wheel) but I'm trying to figure out how to mount and drive a car wheel and hub on a single sided arm! Anyone got any ideas? Don't really fancy a leepu style spacer

[adam73bgt]

There seem to have been a few done with trikes, "stance trikes"





I guess drivetrain is a bit easier with those as the front wheel and pedals is conventional, trying to get a chain around a wide car tyre could be tricky

I'm sure I remember seeing a bike with a wide car tyre on the back but I can't remember where, might have imagined it!

[igor]

This idea is not as crazy as it sounds. Keen to see more.

[16grit]

Jan 26, 2022 16:39:37 GMT mrbig said:

I've been thinking about building a custom cruiser bike for some time now. Curved frame, decent stretch and a silly car wheel on the back. Doesn't seem to be many other such builds around, or at least I can't find pictures of one.

For the sake of example, like this but much less dogshit, and pedal powered:


I would probably stick with a bike wheel on the front (maybe a fat bike wheel) but I'm trying to figure out how to mount and drive a car wheel and hub on a single sided arm! Anyone got any ideas? Don't really fancy a leepu style spacer

For some inspiration maybe take a look at a swingarm from a Honda RVF400 NC35 bike, or something off a Ducati like an S4R...

[landruster]

I recall a scrapheap challenge had an episode making bikes, and the team who used car wheels found very strange behaviour in the transition from vertical to leaning over as the tyre profile has square edges compared to a bike tyre.

[pedalcarjoe]

this is mine from a few years ago car rims with heavy duty spokes

[igor]

Jan 26, 2022 21:43:06 GMT landruster said:

I recall a scrapheap challenge had an episode making bikes, and the team who used car wheels found very strange behaviour in the transition from vertical to leaning over as the tyre profile has square edges compared to a bike tyre.

Using car wheels doesn't necessarily have to mean using car tyres though.

[dadstaxi]

Are you thinking along these lines? hiconsumption.com/car-wheel-fat-tire-bicycle/

[comfortablynumb]

Just from a weight point of view, I'd think a car wheel would make a pedal system very hard to get moving, and even harder to stop when you do? Think flywheel

[mrbig]

Jan 26, 2022 20:38:45 GMT 16grit said:

For some inspiration maybe take a look at a swingarm from a Honda RVF400 NC35 bike, or something off a Ducati like an S4R...

Interesting. Hadn't thought of going that route. Chain size and pitch is going to need some consideration though!

[mrbig]

Jan 26, 2022 21:52:00 GMT pedalcarjoe said:

this is mine from a few years ago car rims with heavy duty spokes

That looks really good. Did you use the 'flat' halves of two car wheels welded together? How did you figure out where to drill the holes for the spoke?

[mrbig]

Jan 27, 2022 17:39:04 GMT comfortablynumb said:

Just from a weight point of view, I'd think a car wheel would make a pedal system very hard to get moving, and even harder to stop when you do? Think flywheel

Compared to the rider, the weight would be minimal anyway

I'll fully aware it will ride/handle like curse word. I just need a fun project for this year. The beetle resto has ground down my mental health and its just become a chore. I can't find an aircooled 2-stroke bike project I can afford, so I need to find something to do that I will actually enjoy getting my hands dirty with again.

[colnerov]

Jan 28, 2022 9:47:50 GMT mrbig said:

Jan 27, 2022 17:39:04 GMT comfortablynumb said:

Just from a weight point of view, I'd think a car wheel would make a pedal system very hard to get moving, and even harder to stop when you do? Think flywheel

Compared to the rider, the weight would be minimal anyway

Hi, Not necessarily, Or why does lightening a flywheel have such an effect on the same weight of vehicle?

However I take your point of the project helping with your frame of mind, press on.

Colin

[comfortablynumb]

Absolutely, what colnerov said
Whatever gets you through the day
Stick with it 👍

[pedalcarjoe]

Jan 28, 2022 9:44:48 GMT mrbig said:

Jan 26, 2022 21:52:00 GMT pedalcarjoe said:

this is mine from a few years ago car rims with heavy duty spokes

That looks really good. Did you use the 'flat' halves of two car wheels welded together? How did you figure out where to drill the holes for the spoke?

the spokes took many hours of thinking, calculating and a few attempts with a pair of dividers but well worth it to get the finished look

[Waxoyling Lyrical]

How about a Citroen 2CV suspension arm & hub, maybe 2CV wheel fitted also...

[comfortablynumb]

Jan 28, 2022 13:04:21 GMT Waxoyling Lyrical said:

How about a Citroen 2CV suspension arm & hub, maybe 2CV wheel fitted also...

I'd been thinking along the same lines, but moped stuff because lighter(maybe....)

[wu11ie]

There's a few on YouTube

[fredje8v]

Take a look at some sidecar builds, lot of times they will use a car wheel at the back (or at least a car tire)

[93fxdl]

I believe you could do with an easy win project, how about a psh bike restoration, then try fitting one of those bolt on engines, start to scratch the 2 stroke pitch, maybe then try a fat tyre conversion or maybe strapping another engine or two, give yourself a home built twin or triple or even a four, been having nasty thoughts about a micro square four
If your head is in a bad place do not be too afraid or proud to seek professional help
Ttfn Glenn