Raccoon-Hydrostatic 2WD trail bike

**Jeff** · 10-22-2007, 10:16 PM

Alright here it goes. Brian and I are just starting to build a small 2-wheel drive hydrostatic trail bike. The goal is be able to go through and over about any obstacle in the way. This will not be a fast machine because I only intend on using a 6.5 hp gas engine. I want something that will be fun it tight places, through the woods, snow, streams, and ravines. (Not mud intentionally, I hate mud)

For starters, here is what I’m going to start looking for.
6.5 hp engine (max of 3600 rpm)
.62 cubic inch piston pump, 3500PSI max (manufactured by White)
(2) Approximately 6 cubic inch motors for the wheels
(2) Geo Metro 12” rims and 22” diameter ATV tires
I have already calculated the specs of this combination. Does anyone want to figure out how fast this will go and how much pulling power it will have before I tell you? You will need to calculate it based on using only 1 hydraulic motor because they will be plumbed in series. In other words the oil will go into the front wheel motor first and out of that and then directly into the rear wheel motor.

Jeff

**Bighorn** · 10-22-2007, 11:04 PM

(2) geo metro tires with ATV rims??? Will that work? If so, you just saved me more than $300 on rims!

Kern Rokon has the nice shiny spoked ones with sprockets for $165 each!

**Jeff** · 10-22-2007, 11:36 PM

I can't find any info on the bolt pattern, but I might have to make my own hubs anyways because I want a brake rotor on one of them. I know that a 12 inch rim was an optional size on some Metros and I want the front wheel drive style of offset so my hydraulic motors will be more centered in the wheel and not sticking way out of one side. This also gives me tons of ATV tire options. I'm keeping track of every penny spent on this project just for the video. We plan on filming every step of the way.
Jeff

**Jeff** · 10-23-2007, 09:46 PM

Here is the latest update. I now have an 8hp Honda, a White piston pump, aluminun pump mount adapter, coupler, 2 mock up H series Eaton motors(wrong cid), a filter head, the filter, lazer cut hydraulic motor mounting plates, and (2) 12 inch Geo Metro wheels.

I just had trouble getting new brake rotors for it though. The Geo I took the wheels off of had non vented rotors which would work great because I could turn them down thin enough to use motorcycle calipers. The parts store had 2 options. Vented rotors with the right bolt pattern and non vented rotors with the wrong bolt pattern. O well, I still feel like I got alot done though.
Jeff

**Jeff** · 10-23-2007, 10:34 PM

This Pump is tiny and light weight. The pump mount adapter needs some lightening holes in it though.

**Bighorn** · 10-23-2007, 11:12 PM

Well you're just flying right along! I'm still trying to figure out how you plan to mount the motor inside the geo wheel? Will the motor shaft become the axle on one side?

**Wendell** · 10-24-2007, 05:35 AM

May I jump in here?

This project interests me greatly. I've been thinking about a Rokon type bike for many years. With hunting season upon us, I'm now wanting one more than ever to get to the back forty. And, I've got mud!!!

So, I'll be following this build closely. A diesel engine, maybe 10hp would be my choice of power. And maybe some high-floataion tires.

Thanks.

**Jeff** · 10-24-2007, 06:13 PM

The plan for the Geo wheel is machining a hub that fits the wheel motor 1 inch straight shaft to fit tightly into a brake rotor and then weld the hub to the rotor and weld wheel studs to the back side of the rotor. So basically I am making the rotor and hub one piece. The front and rear wheels will bolt on like car wheels and be atached to the bike on only one side. I should have time to get the new ATV tires for the Geo rims tomorrow.

Jeff

**Bighorn** · 10-24-2007, 11:14 PM

Like this right? I've never seen that done on a front wheel before.

So are you saying all the loads from the wheel will be placed on the motor bearings? Are they that strong?

I ordered the video today so I'm gonna go set up my lawn chair at the mailbox and read some hydraulic theory books.

**Brian** · 10-25-2007, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wendell

May I jump in here?

This project interests me greatly. I've been thinking about a Rokon type bike for many years. With hunting season upon us, I'm now wanting one more than ever to get to the back forty. And, I've got mud!!!

So, I'll be following this build closely. A diesel engine, maybe 10hp would be my choice of power. And maybe some high-floataion tires.

Thanks.

Jump right in, we're glad to have you here, Wendell.

10-22-2007, 10:16 PM	#1
Jeff Senior Member Site Admin Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 646	Raccoon-Hydrostatic 2WD trail bike Alright here it goes. Brian and I are just starting to build a small 2-wheel drive hydrostatic trail bike. The goal is be able to go through and over about any obstacle in the way. This will not be a fast machine because I only intend on using a 6.5 hp gas engine. I want something that will be fun it tight places, through the woods, snow, streams, and ravines. (Not mud intentionally, I hate mud) For starters, here is what I’m going to start looking for. 6.5 hp engine (max of 3600 rpm) .62 cubic inch piston pump, 3500PSI max (manufactured by White) (2) Approximately 6 cubic inch motors for the wheels (2) Geo Metro 12” rims and 22” diameter ATV tires I have already calculated the specs of this combination. Does anyone want to figure out how fast this will go and how much pulling power it will have before I tell you? You will need to calculate it based on using only 1 hydraulic motor because they will be plumbed in series. In other words the oil will go into the front wheel motor first and out of that and then directly into the rear wheel motor. Jeff __________________ When you're riding a diesel/hydrostatic bike, you're living. Everything else is just waiting.

10-22-2007, 11:36 PM	#3
Jeff Senior Member Site Admin Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 646	I can't find any info on the bolt pattern, but I might have to make my own hubs anyways because I want a brake rotor on one of them. I know that a 12 inch rim was an optional size on some Metros and I want the front wheel drive style of offset so my hydraulic motors will be more centered in the wheel and not sticking way out of one side. This also gives me tons of ATV tire options. I'm keeping track of every penny spent on this project just for the video. We plan on filming every step of the way. Jeff __________________ When you're riding a diesel/hydrostatic bike, you're living. Everything else is just waiting.

10-23-2007, 09:46 PM	#4
Jeff Senior Member Site Admin Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 646	Here is the latest update. I now have an 8hp Honda, a White piston pump, aluminun pump mount adapter, coupler, 2 mock up H series Eaton motors(wrong cid), a filter head, the filter, lazer cut hydraulic motor mounting plates, and (2) 12 inch Geo Metro wheels. I just had trouble getting new brake rotors for it though. The Geo I took the wheels off of had non vented rotors which would work great because I could turn them down thin enough to use motorcycle calipers. The parts store had 2 options. Vented rotors with the right bolt pattern and non vented rotors with the wrong bolt pattern. O well, I still feel like I got alot done though. Jeff __________________ When you're riding a diesel/hydrostatic bike, you're living. Everything else is just waiting.

10-23-2007, 10:34 PM	#5
Jeff Senior Member Site Admin Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 646	This Pump is tiny and light weight. The pump mount adapter needs some lightening holes in it though. __________________ When you're riding a diesel/hydrostatic bike, you're living. Everything else is just waiting.

10-24-2007, 05:35 AM	#7
Wendell Junior Member Supporting Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bury, Quebec, Canada Posts: 2	May I jump in here? This project interests me greatly. I've been thinking about a Rokon type bike for many years. With hunting season upon us, I'm now wanting one more than ever to get to the back forty. And, I've got mud!!! So, I'll be following this build closely. A diesel engine, maybe 10hp would be my choice of power. And maybe some high-floataion tires. Thanks. __________________ All else failed!

10-22-2007, 11:04 PM	#2
Bighorn Junior Member Supporting Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: British Columbia Posts: 16	(2) geo metro tires with ATV rims??? Will that work? If so, you just saved me more than $300 on rims! Kern Rokon has the nice shiny spoked ones with sprockets for $165 each!

10-23-2007, 11:12 PM	#6
Bighorn Junior Member Supporting Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: British Columbia Posts: 16	Well you're just flying right along! I'm still trying to figure out how you plan to mount the motor inside the geo wheel? Will the motor shaft become the axle on one side?

10-24-2007, 06:13 PM	#8
Jeff Senior Member Site Admin Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 646	The plan for the Geo wheel is machining a hub that fits the wheel motor 1 inch straight shaft to fit tightly into a brake rotor and then weld the hub to the rotor and weld wheel studs to the back side of the rotor. So basically I am making the rotor and hub one piece. The front and rear wheels will bolt on like car wheels and be atached to the bike on only one side. I should have time to get the new ATV tires for the Geo rims tomorrow. Jeff __________________ When you're riding a diesel/hydrostatic bike, you're living. Everything else is just waiting.

10-24-2007, 11:14 PM	#9
Bighorn Junior Member Supporting Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: British Columbia Posts: 16	Like this right? I've never seen that done on a front wheel before. So are you saying all the loads from the wheel will be placed on the motor bearings? Are they that strong? I ordered the video today so I'm gonna go set up my lawn chair at the mailbox and read some hydraulic theory books.

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