Lacing hub motor on dirt bike wheel. (SOLVED)

[kannary]

I have a custom built freight scooter that I use for food delivery. I used the wheels and front suspension of an old EVO scooter for this build which use 2.25-14 moped/scooter street tires (18 inch). It was good for about 2 years. About a month ago the front rim split on me and since the wheel used a drum brake and I could not find a replacement, I changed the front suspension and wheels to that of a small dirt bike, which uses a same rim size as the one I was using, except this one is steel.

The problem now is that the rim of the rear wheel/hub motor is also splitting and so I need to find a motor/wheel combo to replace it. I found a handful of 14 inch wheel+motor similar to mine, but they are also one-piece casted aluminum alloy, which considering how much wear and tear I put on it and my weight I'm afraid will eventually lead to the same problem.

I am considering building my own custom rear wheel/motor using a front wheel like the one in the front and lacing a hub motor to it. This would allow me to use a steel rim, same 2.25-14 tires (compatible to 60/100-14), the ability to change rims easily if damaged, and make no modifications to the build, except perhaps width of dropouts.x

The doubts I have is about the custom spokes that I will need to either make or find and the spoke count as it appear most hub motors I look at have 36 spokes while most small dirt bike wheels use 28 spokes.

It feels this is such a weird combo on account I can't seem to find any info on doing something like this. And I have to do it as soon as possible as this is my only way to make money.

Any info, no matter how small, would be deeply appreciated.

(The photo was with the original tires and front suspension. It looks different now)

 

[E-HP]

The doubts I have is about the custom spokes that I will need to either make or find and the spoke count as it appear most hub motors I look at have 36 spokes while most small dirt bike wheels use 28 spokes.

Unless you plan on drilling the flanges on the hub motor, this seems like a non starter.

 

[kannary]

Unless you plan on drilling the flanges on the hub motor, this seems like a non starter.

It did find someone who did just that over: Lacing 28 hole rim to 36 hole hub. another skill learned

 

[E-HP]

It did find someone who did just that over: Lacing 28 hole rim to 36 hole hub. another skill learned

I'll probably drill my hub at some point so I can do a paired spoke hole radial lacing.

 

[Chalo]

So, you split two janky motorbike rims in a row, and that's the part you want to keep using? Okay.

In your situation, I'd go for 20" box section freestyle rims and tires ("16 inch" in moto terms). They're stiffer, stronger, lighter, more precisely made, with higher pressure ratings and much lower rolling resistance.

 

[kannary]

So, you split two janky motorbike rims in a row, and that's the part you want to keep using? Okay.

In your situation, I'd go for 20" box section freestyle rims and tires ("16 inch" in moto terms). They're stiffer, stronger, lighter, more precisely made, with higher pressure ratings and much lower rolling resistance.

No, that is not the part I want to be using I built the scooter from scratch and can't change its size so I am limited to 18 inch wheels. I cannot fit bigger ones .

 

[Chalo]

No, that is not the part I want to be using I built the scooter from scratch and can't change its size so I am limited to 18 inch wheels. I cannot fit bigger ones .

Well there are 16" and 18" freestyle rims and tires, less common but still not motorbike junk.

 

[kannary]

Well there are 16" and 18" freestyle rims and tires, less common but still not motorbike junk.

Ok, your suggestion seem more logical by the minute, I am gonna look into it.

 

[kannary]

I found a 36 spoke rim for a 2.50-14 tire (60/100-14), so this issue has been solved. Just waiting for the hub motor and the rim to arrive so I can measure for the spokes.