Caterpillar on a motorcycle with your own hands

Which motorcycles are better suited for re-making under an all-terrain vehicle (snowmobile)? In the winter snowy period, many motovadeltsam comes up with the idea to create from his motorcycle all-terrain vehicle. To do this, you must install the caterpillar on the wheels. You can do this in principle with any "iron horse", but most users agree that the best of the domestic units for such a change is a motorcycle "Dnepr", "Izh" or "Ural".

Even during the Second World War, a German motorcycle on caterpillars was designed by the inventor Heinrich Ernst Knipkapp. At first it was used only by German paratroopers, but later it became more widespread as traction force. He continued his existence after the war, the remaining models were actively used in agriculture.

Two main types of ATVs

In our vast country there is a large number of craftsmen who can create a winter mode of transport from a motorcycle or motoblock. All of them have at least initial knowledge of auto mechanics, a certain number of spare parts from motorcycles and a sea of imagination. Each such vehicle turns out to be unique, but they have something in common. Some authors put their technique on the caterpillar, others I replace the wheels of the construction with skis. Leading can be both front and rear skis.

Before conjuring over your favorite motorcycle, you need to stock up some knowledge or the help of knowledgeable designers. After all, your equipment can break down. But often in our conditions it is impossible to just ride on the snow. Such driving is similar to movement on sand or dirt, and on deep snow the motorcycle and at all can stall, and not on each rut he can pass. Therefore, of the two evils choose the lesser and yet decide on the changes.

Features of the manufacture of caterpillars for motorcycles

Of course, you can always buy snowmobile skis or wheels on the caterpillar of factory production. 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 spare parts. Sometimes it's not the price or the fact that it's hard to find the details. For some people it's a hobby - to create your "transformer" and ride it on your town. So we decided to put together some tricks that different craftsmen use to create their snowmobiles to facilitate your creative process.

The best materials

Most masters use for the manufacture of spare parts such material as aluminum. It is easy to deform, it is easy to drill, grind, and also it is not heavy, which will help to give your transport extra maneuverability.

Caterpillars are made of spiked rubber, tires, chains. For their production, sheet steel is most often used. Now we'll 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 knowledge of which your work will be reduced to zero. For a good patency on the snow surface, you need to make the area of contact with the coating as much as possible. This will help the snowmobile not to fail. In order for the load on the snow cover to be less, it is necessary to make the weight of your transport as small as possible. In order for your snowmobile to be stable, you need to apply one more law of physics - you need to make at least three points of support. That is, a snowmobile with three skis will be more stable when driving than with two. The design can consist not only of skis, but, for example, from one caterpillar and two skis or, conversely, from a ski and a pair of caterpillars. The support points can be four, then you will get something that looks like a quad bike.

Most often, such an alteration is taken by such units as "Dnepr", "Izh", you can find a motorcycle "Ural" on caterpillars. The steering part is left original, all the necessary systems - clutch, gas lever - are withdrawn to it. For the frame use steel pipes or corners. For the manufacture of ski is used sheet steel and again corners.

Caterpillar manufacturing technology

A caterpillar on a motorcycle with its own hands is made easy for knowledgeable people. Consider the most common method.

We make a caterpillar for a motorcycle from a conveyor belt, which we divide into 4 parts. Obtained a strip width of 5.5 cm. We assemble them in a single construction using the U-shaped profiles. For caterpillar tracks, it is necessary to make balancing. Balancers are made of steel sheets. Cut out half the discs with stamps. Take the hubs from bronze or grind yourself.

Then connect the half-discs with six bolts. The workpieces for balancing are ready. It is necessary to make shafts for supporting drums in front and behind. Make them from a steel rod. Bearings are made on them, they are inserted there. Support drums are made of aluminum or duralumin spare parts. Then connect the structure with bolts. When installing between the support drums, insert the rubber sprockets.

And now the caterpillar on the bike is already spinning from the chain. To fix all this construction on the back of the vehicle is a special knot that is attached to the ear of the sleeve in front. You need two such lugs, they should be welded to the longitudinal pipes and attach the balancers previously manufactured. Here is the main part of the work, which makes it possible to make a snowmobile on caterpillars from a motorcycle.

The second life of old tires

There is another known method. Let's look at how a self-made caterpillar for a motorcycle is made using old tires. For this kind of work, it is best to pick up tires from large-sized trucks. It is better that the tread pattern is kept in a satisfactory condition. For work we need a very sharp shoe knife and some cutting skills, however strange it may sound. In the manufacture of such a caterpillar, a method is used to cut the sides from the tires. To ease the effort when cutting thick tires, you need to periodically dip the knife into a soapy solution. You can also use an electric jig saw with small teeth.

So, with old tires, we remove the sides, choose the parts with a well-preserved tread pattern, or we'll have to cut it ourselves to improve grip on the road surface. The undoubted advantage of such a chain from the tire is that it consists of a closed solid material, and therefore more resistant to tears. The disadvantage of this design is the limited size of the tire.

Using Belts

Caterpillars for snowmobiles are also made from belts. The principle of production is similar to the previous one. For him, belts with a wedge-shaped profile are used. They are connected with each other by rivets or hooks for the soil. Thus, it turns out a caterpillar on a motorcycle with holes for the driving sprocket.

All in your hands!

We see that you can remake any motorcycle or motoblock, put it on caterpillars, ski or combine. Fantasy is not limited to anything, except its own capabilities. First, look at your garage - maybe already a caterpillar for a motorcycle is available. If so, you can proceed with the assembly. Even if you use a caterpillar for a cross-country motorcycle, do not forget the safety precautions, which should be in the first place. You need to think not only about yourself, but also about others who you can harm. Take a test drive in a deserted place. Test drive is a success? Now we leave to the track!

There is a huge number of options, they are all unique in their own way. They can be safely attributed to the category of manual work, because almost every detail is carried out individually. The choice of materials and methods of production is also huge. In addition to the standard set of metalwork tools, you will definitely need a welding machine, possibly a pipe bender, a Bulgarian, etc. But one thing is certain: making a caterpillar for a motorcycle and turning it into a snowmobile is much more interesting and, most importantly, cheaper than just purchasing ready-made components.