Hardtail conversion HELP!!!
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 31
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Hardtail conversion HELP!!!
Hey guys,
First timer here for major custom. I stripped the bike (79 XL with rear single disc) down last night and starting to measure and cut for the new weld on hardtail. (I ordered a weld on for the 79 with disc brake). I just realized the stock axle length will be too short. Stock is about 8" and the new hardtail is about 11 1/4" What problems and I going to run into with alignment? Is there a stock wheel/axle combo that will fit right in and still align the chain?
NEED HELP!!!!
Thanks!!
First timer here for major custom. I stripped the bike (79 XL with rear single disc) down last night and starting to measure and cut for the new weld on hardtail. (I ordered a weld on for the 79 with disc brake). I just realized the stock axle length will be too short. Stock is about 8" and the new hardtail is about 11 1/4" What problems and I going to run into with alignment? Is there a stock wheel/axle combo that will fit right in and still align the chain?
NEED HELP!!!!
Thanks!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,471
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
If the hardtail company has no answers you'll have to do it the way it's usually done! Put the assembled wheel/sprocket/rotor/tire in the frame using a rod the diameter of the axle, and long enough to support it on both sides of the frame. Center the wheel assembly in the frame. Measure the offset of the sprockets. Make an adapter, if necessary, to align the sprockets. Measure for spacers on both sides, and make them. Be sure to have them "square" so they won't put pressure on one point of the bearing after installation and tightening the axle nut. Measure the needed axle length and have one made, or look in a catalog and see if there are any that are the correct length & diameter.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
Thanks for the quick replies. I'll contact the manufacturer of the tail. I am guessing they'll say the same thing.......make the parts.
Is it safe to say that I'll probably need to shim the drive sprocket out to align with the rear sprocket? Otherwise the tire would be shifted over to the left side.
Since the new tail has rectangle slots for the axle, is there something that would go over the axle bolt or does the axle bolt float in that slot? There are provisions for adjusters bolts to center the wheel and provide tension on the chain.
Has anyone done this conversion or know of a kit that would make the mods a little easier?
Thanks
Is it safe to say that I'll probably need to shim the drive sprocket out to align with the rear sprocket? Otherwise the tire would be shifted over to the left side.
Since the new tail has rectangle slots for the axle, is there something that would go over the axle bolt or does the axle bolt float in that slot? There are provisions for adjusters bolts to center the wheel and provide tension on the chain.
Has anyone done this conversion or know of a kit that would make the mods a little easier?
Thanks
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 20
From: Eagle River WI
Leave the drive sprocket alone You will have to do the aligning per pococj The rear axil I assume is supplied by the hardtail mfg if not have a machine shop fab one (no big deal ) There are axil parts that should allow the axil to be centered in the rectangular holes
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Thanks for the quick replies. I'll contact the manufacturer of the tail. I am guessing they'll say the same thing.......make the parts.
Is it safe to say that I'll probably need to shim the drive sprocket out to align with the rear sprocket? Otherwise the tire would be shifted over to the left side.
Since the new tail has rectangle slots for the axle, is there something that would go over the axle bolt or does the axle bolt float in that slot? There are provisions for adjusters bolts to center the wheel and provide tension on the chain.
Has anyone done this conversion or know of a kit that would make the mods a little easier?
Thanks
Is it safe to say that I'll probably need to shim the drive sprocket out to align with the rear sprocket? Otherwise the tire would be shifted over to the left side.
Since the new tail has rectangle slots for the axle, is there something that would go over the axle bolt or does the axle bolt float in that slot? There are provisions for adjusters bolts to center the wheel and provide tension on the chain.
Has anyone done this conversion or know of a kit that would make the mods a little easier?
Thanks
2. You line up the rear sprocket on the same centerline as the drive sprocket. Here is where you may have to make spacers that slide over the axle to take up the space between the hub and frame on both sides of the hub.
3. Now, you have the hub with the rear sprocket aligned with the front sprocket and the axle shims are in place.
Is the rear tire/rim showing to be offset in the frame? (This was a concern you mentioned) If so, what you need to do is move the wheel over enough to correct the position over the hub.
You do this by first removing the tire from the rim and install the wheel back in the frame.
Make your measurements on how much you need to move the wheel over either left or right.
A wheel has 40 spokes. Each spoke alternately comes off either the left or right side of the rim.
For the explanation let us assume you want to move the rim to the left by some amount.
Starting at the tube nipple, loosen the first spoke on the right a half turn. Then go to the next spoke (which is on the left) and tighten it a half turn. Advance to the next spoke (rightside) and loosen a half turn, go to the next spoke (leftside) and tighten a half turn, etc, etc until you have gone all around the wheel a full turn (covering all 40 spokes).
Check for being centered in the frame. Most likely it will require several trips around the wheel, but keep it to half turns so the spoke adjustment does not get away from you.
Just remember this:
The drive sprocket is a fixed location.
The rear sprocket must align with the drive sprocket.
The hub then sits in place on the axle. Do you need spacers on the axle?
Last of all, and I do mean last........where does the wheel sit in the frame? If centered.....Great! If not, move it over by doing the spoke adjustment. This is how you build a wheel by the way. You have to place the rim over the hub where you want it to be. It does not get there by magic...........pg
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
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Piniongear, after reading your reply, it sounds like I have two problems <great info BTW, thanks). The first being there before I do the hardtail conversion (hub/tire), the second would be going to a wider tail. The relationship between the hub and tire I now understand <you are the man!>. I think the part that I still don't know is where the spacers go?? Please double check me though. Once I get the wheel/hub aligned, I should align the two sprockets then add spacers (on the axle) between the rear sprocket and the tail to take up the slack. On the left side, where do I put spacers? Since the rotor needs to be aligned with the caliper, do I add a spacer between the rotor and the hub?? I am confused as h*ll. Does anyone have a picture?? I am researching axle kits but just don't know what I am looking for. I know which items need to be aligned, I just dont know the right way, hate asking the newbie questions but would also hate to go down the road only to find my back tire stayed at the red light 
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 31
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Oh, I suppose I should probably add that I am going to get a wider wheel/tire combo. Another newbie question.............can i reuse the stock sprocket and rotor? Are they the same bolt diameter and pattern? The inside width of the new tail is 11 1/4 inches. What size wheel (hub width?) would be a great place to start? Is there one that fit's into this tail? Seems like the inside width is a common size, right?
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
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From:
I didnt think a hardtail was made to fit a 79 just up to a 78 but anyway it might help to pick up some washers that will fit your axle that way you can stack them up to get the wheel centered were you want it. Thats what I did when I did my hardtail for my 78 and I am running a 150 tire with a dished sproket and a disc brake from a 99 softtail. The tire is centered and clears the chain its close but it clears but that way you can set it up and tighten it all down. Then you can make your spacers once you get it all set.
T-Ron
T-Ron