Rim and tire question

[n1elkyfan]

I have a few Ideas floating around and was wondering if anybody could answer a question for me. I know that some of the chopper crowed put car tires on there motorcycle rims but I was wondering if you could do it the other way around. If you could put a motorcycle tire on a car rim.

[Steve]

And then...what are you going to put the car rim on? :shock:

If you have machining capabilities, yes, you can adapt just about anything to anything else, but you would have to change the hub in the center of the car wheel to be able to mount it on the bike, if that's what you are trying to do.

On the other hand, if you are trying to put a bike tire on a car, ... why on earth would you want to do that? Bike tires have a much lower weight rating than car tires of the same approximate size.

One other thing to consider; if you are trying to get a car tire on a bike, consider any modifications you will have to make to the swingarm and frame to get it to fit. The handling characteristics will also be changed, so you really have to sit back and ask yourself if it will all be worth it.

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[n1elkyfan]

What I'm thinking is that I would like to make a motorcycle that you were more or less laying down on. Sort a like this


What I was thinking was that you could have a single sided swingarm on the front. I have seem it done on trikes. Like this



But if its only has two wheels the car tire wouldn't work.

[Killer2600]

If you get a wide enough bike tire I suppose you could but really I don't see the point cuse the wide tires don't turn well anyway especially if you try to put it up front on a two wheel bike.

[Dogma]

Well, Kaneda, what size tire do you hope to use up front? You're going to have a strange weight distribution, and it might make sense to have a rear up there. You might be able to use the wheel from a single-sided swing arm if there's enough offset. At any rate, you'll have to do or have done some custom machining to get your steering knuckle in there. You may end up having a custom wheel turned too.

[TheCafeKid]

HAH! Thats your new nickname Cole. KINAEDA!!! HELLLLP...God that was an awfull movie...I tired watching it multiple times, and without fail fell asleep in the middle of it every time.

[n1elkyfan]

I was thinking of using 170-200 tire. I know that would be kind of wide but this would be definitely be a different type of bike. i was wanting to go with a car rim because i would rather not have to have one custom made.

[Dogma]

I was thinking of using 170-200 tire. I know that would be kind of wide but this would be definitely be a different type of bike. i was wanting to go with a car rim because i would rather not have to have one custom made.

Well, I hope something works out. I've never heard of anything like that actually being built. It sounds like a fun project. I'd love to see it done.

[n1elkyfan]

Well right now it is more or less a pipe dream. but the more I think about it the more I want to do it. I guess I need to start collecting parts. If I make any progress at it I will keep you guys updated.

[Dogma]

Yeah, I know those pipe dream projects work. Lots of fun to think about. Were you planning to model the geometry and handling dynamics on anything?

[n1elkyfan]

I had thought about it but not sure what type of software to use. I was thinking of maybe trying to model it in something like solidworks.

[Dogma]

I had thought about it but not sure what type of software to use. I was thinking of maybe trying to model it in something like solidworks.

Well, SolidWorks is directly up my alley. I do that all day. Designing it in CAD and working out the mechanisms is a good idea. To model the dynamics though.... That's something like a 5 figure price tag if you don't already have the software. Just SW is almost $4k if you don't have it. Cheaper design software is available, but dynamics analysis is going to cost. I think Alibre is only a few hundred, and should allow you to check out mechanisms, interference, etc.

I know that car dynamics are pretty well documented by pretty manageable algebraic equations. I'd bet there are some resources available for motorcycles. Something in SAE's catalog perhaps. At the very least, it would be a good study in MC design and geometry setup.

[n1elkyfan]

At those prices I doubt I will do any actual dynamics modeling. But I think I will look around for a free 3d modeling software so I can get an idea for how it will look and work.

[PAULYBOY]

Cole, why don't you just look up the number for Choppers, Inc. in Florida and give Billy Lane a call. Once you mention one of his favorite tricks, the one sided swing arm, you'll get his attention for sure. Billy is really pretty c ool from what I hear from a coupla Harley boyz who used to live and train Taekwondo up here in Cincy with me. They've both met him, and partied with him, and say he's a genuinely nice guy. Besides being really busy, he's always willing to help a guy out if he can.

[Dogma]

At those prices I doubt I will do any actual dynamics modeling. But I think I will look around for a free 3d modeling software so I can get an idea for how it will look and work.

OK. I'd recommend Alibre. The free version is limited to 25 part assemblies, or something like that. You should be able to get it mocked up in that many parts. There are some free and open source CAD programs, but I don't believe they are as powerful or easy to use.