Which motorcycles are better suited for conversion to an all-terrain vehicle (snowmobile)? In the winter snowy period, many car owners come up with the idea of creating an all-terrain vehicle from their motorcycle. To do this, install the track on the wheels. This can be done in principle with any "iron horse", but most users agree that the best of the domestic units for such a change is the Dnepr, Izh or Ural motorcycle.
Even during the Second World War, the German caterpillar motorcycle was designed, which was designed by the inventor Heinrich Ernst Knipkapm. At first it was used only by German paratroopers, but later became more widespread as a traction force. He continued his existence after the war, the remaining models were actively used in agriculture.
Two main types of all-terrain vehicles
In our vast country there are a large number of craftsmen who can create a winter mode of transport from a motorcycle or motoblock. All of them have at least basic knowledge of auto mechanics, a certain amount of spare parts from motor vehicles and a sea of imagination. Each such vehicle turns out to be unique, but they have something in common. Some authors put their equipment on a caterpillar, others set in place the wheels of the structure with skis. Leading can be both front and rear skis.
Before you conjure over your favorite motorcycle, you need to stock up on some knowledge or the help of knowledgeable designers. After all, your technique may break. But often in our conditions it is impossible to just ride in the snow. Such a ride is similar to moving on sand or mud, and in deep snow the motorcycle can stall at all, and not every track it can pass. Therefore, we choose the lesser of two evils and still decide on the changes.
Features of the manufacture of tracks for motorcycles
Of course, you can always buy snowmobile skis or wheels on a factory-made caterpillar. Then the need to invent something will disappear. But we are not looking for easy ways, and not everyone has the opportunity to purchase new parts. Sometimes it’s not the price or the fact that it’s hard to find the parts. For some people, it’s a hobby to create their own “transformer” and ride it around their town. Therefore, we decided to bring together some tricks that different craftsmen use to create their snowmobiles to facilitate your creative process.
The best materials
Most craftsmen use materials such as aluminum to make parts. It lends itself well to deformation, it is easy to drill, grind, and it is not heavy, which will help give your vehicle additional maneuverability.
Caterpillars are made of spiky rubber, tires, chains. For their manufacture, sheet steel is most often used. Now we will figure out how to build a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle from a motorcycle.
Physical features
When designing such a vehicle, it is necessary to remember several important laws of physics, without which your work will be reduced to zero. For good traffic on a snowy surface, you need to make the area of contact with the coating as large as possible. This will help the snowmobile not fall through. In order to reduce the load on the snow cover, it is necessary to make the weight of your vehicle as small as possible. In order for your snowmobile to be stable, you should apply another law of physics - you need to make at least three fulcrum. That is, a snowmobile with three skis will be more stable when moving than with two. The design can consist not only of skis, but, for example, of one caterpillar and two skis, or, conversely, of a ski and a pair of caterpillars. There may be four points of support, then you will get something that resembles an ATV.
Most often, such units as the Dnieper, Izh are taken under such alteration, you can also find the Ural motorcycle on tracks. The steering part is left original, all the necessary systems are brought to it - clutch, throttle lever. Steel pipes or corners are used for the frame. For the manufacture of skis, sheet steel and again the corners are used.
Track manufacturing technology
Do-it-yourself caterpillar on a motorcycle is easy for knowledgeable people. Consider the most common way.
We make a caterpillar for a motorcycle from a conveyor belt, which we divide into 4 parts. It turns out strips with a width of 5.5 cm. We assemble them into a single design using U-shaped profiles. For track supports, balancing is necessary. Balancers are made of steel sheets. Cut out half of the discs using stamps. We take the hubs of bronze or grind on our own.
Then we connect the half-discs with six bolts. Preparations for balancing are ready. It is necessary to make shafts for the supporting drums front and rear. They are made of steel bar. They make holes for bearings, insert them there. The supporting drums are made of aluminum or duralumin spare parts. Then connect the structure with bolts. When installed between the supporting drums, rubber stars are inserted.
And now the caterpillar on the motorcycle is already spinning from the chain. To fix this whole structure on the back of the all-terrain vehicle, a special unit helps, which is mounted on the ear of the sleeve in front. Two such ears are necessary, they should be welded to the longitudinal pipes and the previously made balancers should be attached. This is the main part of the work that allows you to make a snowmobile on tracks from a motorcycle.
The second life of old tires
There is another known method. Let's look at how to make a homemade caterpillar for a motorcycle using old tires. For such work, it is best to choose tires from bulky trucks. It is better that the tread pattern is kept in satisfactory condition. To work, we need a very sharp boot knife and some cutting skills, no matter how strange it sounds. In the manufacture of such a caterpillar, the method of cutting boards from tires is used. To ease the effort when cutting thick tires, you need to periodically dip the knife in a soapy solution. You can also use an electric jigsaw with small teeth.
So, we remove the sides of old tires, select parts with a well-preserved tread pattern, or we will have to cut it ourselves to improve traction. The undoubted advantage of such a tire chain is that it consists of a closed solid material, which means that it is more resistant to tearing. The disadvantage of this design is the limited size of the tire.
Use of belts
Snowmobile tracks are also made from belts. The manufacturing principle is similar to the previous one. For him, belts with a wedge-shaped profile are used. They are interconnected by rivets or hooks for the soil. Thus, it turns out a caterpillar on a motorcycle with holes for the drive sprocket.
All in your hands!
We see that you can remake any motorcycle or walk-behind tractor, put it on tracks, ski or combine it. Fantasy is not limited to anything but its own capabilities. To get started, inspect your garage - maybe a caterpillar for a motorcycle is already available. If so, you can start assembling. Even if you use a track for a cross-country motorcycle, do not forget about safety measures, which should be in the first place. You need to think not only about yourself, but also about others whom you can harm. Make a test run in a deserted place. Was the test drive successful? Now go to the track!
There are a huge number of options, all of them are unique in their own way. They can be safely attributed to the category of handmade, because almost every detail is performed individually. The choice of materials and manufacturing methods is also huge. In addition to the standard set of metalwork tools, you will definitely need a welding machine, possibly a pipe bender, grinder, etc. But one thing is for sure: making a caterpillar for a motorcycle and turning it into a snowmobile on your own is much more interesting, and most importantly, cheaper than just buying ready-made components.