How wide can I go ????

[Gadget Man]

Today the UPS Man dropped off my Master Parts Kit from BRS.
I'm so excited, and so glad I wasn't tempted to start on the frame before all these parts came.
Here's the question....
I have a 32 inch axle, how wide can I go on my frame (I'm building the Classic Cruiser) and still have room for the nice groved tires like in the plans? I have not bought the tires and rims yet, I will have to wait at least a month before I can squeeze another $400. out of my Piggy Bank.
(My wife was so kind to point out to me, that I already have $700. into this little toy.)
But I want to get going on everything else in the time being.
If I go wider than say 16 inches witht the frame, will I then need a more offset rim?

Gadget Man

[chris insull]

I too purchased the master parts kit and plans from BSR Supply, and am very pleased with them! For me, a couple of considerations had to be made before determining the frame width; engine choice and use of a TAV-2 were the major issues. Using a Briggs Intek 6.5 and TAV combo resulted in an 18" frame width for clearance. I have had to remove the lower ring from the barstool with this combo, but will replace it with a suitable substitute before completion. Using the Classic Cruiser plans as a template has worked very well for me as a baseline due to this being the first BSR I've built. I will admit to some "personalization" in my build process. Rim offset is not driven by your frame width... but by your preference. If your going "strictly" by the Classic Cruiser plans, read them thoroughly before you begin fab, as Mike Bean has definetely done his homework! HTH!!!:cheers:

[moto1fast]

Why do you want to make the frame wider than the 15" the plans call for? If you do make it wider your barstool will not fit on the frame unless you put more brackets on the frame to mount the stool! Your master kit will have to be modified as far as the front tie rods are concerned also. You will have to alter all the dimensions of frame plans. The rear wheels/Tires should still fit at 17" but I do not know for sure after that! Keep us posted on your progress!:cheers:

[chris insull]

Altering of the dimensions for the Classic Cruiser is addressd in the plans. Fit and clearance(s) seem to be the primary consideration for the frame... based on building around a true barstool.

[Gadget Man]

Chris
I am going to use the TAV2, mounted on the Sterling 6.5 HP engine, just got both on E-Bay.
It sounds like we will similar set-ups. So you had to go to 18" wide to make it work. ? How long is your axle?
If I'm limited to a 32" axle, and push my frame out 3" wider than the plans call for, wont I have to make that up by offsetting the rims? or simply buy a longer axle? It doesn't matter to me.
If I go 18" wide I will also have to turn the stool 180 degrees to put one leg on each side and one in front/back. I'm not sure I like that look....

Gadget Man

[Gadget Man]

Moto1fast:
The whole idea here is because I don't want to remove parts or modify the engine in any way. I want it to look "bone stock".
I just like the untouched look.
I did not think about the tie rods that were actualy backordered in my kit, so maybe it's not too late to get longer ones.
I did manage to bend the legs out on my barstool, to be able to go 15.5 wide on the frame, I'm sure the tie rods from the kit will reach out to 15.5

What is the offset that I want to order?
One of the web-sites had the Douglas rims in differant offsets, which one do I want?

Gadget

[chris insull]

My axle is the 32" unit included in the master parts kit from Barstool Racer Supply. Eventually I will cut it down based on the final product. I built my frame directly off the Classic Cruiser Plans, but widened it to 18" for engine/ TAV-2 clearance. I tried turning the stool 180 degrees to fit the engine, but the Briggs did not fit as I wanted; the Sterling may be a different situation. PM me your E-mail, and tomorrow I'll send the pics I've got from mock-up...

[moto1fast]

OK, But you do not have to make your frame wider! I used the plans at 15" and using a tav w/ sterling 6.5 electric start and it fit fine. I did change the rear part of the frame. I took and put a rail down the middle of frame from the back of motor mount cross brace to the back of frame. I made floor boards and put a brace between main frame and outer floor board to set my stool legs on! I will try to post some pics of this for you!:thumb:

[moto1fast]

Here is a pic of the way the back end was done on the 15" frame and the floor boards! Hope this helps!!:cheers:

[Snakester]

Hey Gadget, Great idea to leave the Sterling Stock! Yea it looks cool to fab a wild pipe , all it does is makes it louder. You can always change the air filter later , it does make a difference. I build my frames 20" wide and use 32" axle and put the hubs at the end to get the widest stance possible. I sold Chris the tires and wheels for his Racer ...6" wide on front and 8" wide on rear. He should have a great stance on his! I build mine 20" wide because I like for the frame to be close to the wheel and not have alot of space between them. I do put diamond plate flooring and that helps because I can put the stool anywhere. I do turn the stool 90* to help for clearance. If you leave the stool like in Mike's pic you can raise the ring up a little to help clear the exhaust. The options are endless. Keep us posted.:cheers: :lush: :cheers: Snakester

[Gadget Man]

Snakester & Moto
Thanks for the imput and the pic of the rear of the frame that helps.
Chris says he has a 32' axle and an 18' frame and is thinking of cutting down the axle. Maybe, this will work out afterall, I to like the tires close to the frame. Do you have any more wheels & tires for sale?

Moto, you talk about leaving the frame at 15' wide, and still turning your stool, Wow, now I'm more confussed, Cuz' if I turn my stool 90 degrees, I'm at allmost 20' wide. I guess I need to look at the pic better.

Maybe this will all fall into place once my TAV gets here sometime next week.

Gadget

[Gadget Man]

Moto,
Ah-Ha, now I see it.
You have the legs out on the floor boards. I was trying to ge them to sit on the frame. I knew I could figure out how to do the front and back, but was puzzeled on how to set up the sides. But now I think I see the Light.

Gadget :cheers:

[moto1fast]

Yes thats the ticket! I am not real good with wording things anymore after 6 heart attacks and takes me awhile to explain things correctly thats why a picture is worth a thousand of my words! LOL:rofl: Just extend your frame out with floor boards and brace them to mount the legs on! Then put down diamond plate. Comes out looking nice!! The floor boards are stout enough to hold my whole body wieght 195 pounds with out giving any! Makes the build a lot easier without changing the whole plans!!:thumb:

[Snakester]

Hey Gadget, Yes I do have lots of tires for sale! Just let me know what you want. Today I found 4 Treaded Bridgestone Rain Tires 11x6x5" NEW with wrappers still on them. I will take $125.00+ $20 shipping. I think that I still have a set of Bridgestone Treaded Rain Tires 2-6x5"...2-4x5" NEW These are on ebay and you can bid or if I don't sell them we can work something out. I have all kinds of slicks , let me know if you are interested!!! I still have that set of VEGA slicks w/ Polished wheels that are almost new. They are on ebay too! Snakester:cool_dude:

[Gadget Man]

Snakester
I get even more confused when I start looking at all the different combinations of these little Kart Tires, So I'm going to have to go with the exact one in the plans. They call for...
11.5 x 5.5 - 6 fronts
12 x 8.0 -6 rears. and I realy want the groved tires.
I' looking for somewhere to buy them allready mounted Too.
Let me know if you havesomething like that.

Gadget

[Snakester]

Hey Gadget, It is easy to get confused about wheels and tires.It"s alot to choose from. Right now the only wheel/tire combo that I have is the VEGA slicks/ Van K wheels on eBay for $275. As for treaded I have a Bridgestone set 2-6x5"...2-4x5" on eBay for $130. Then I still have 4 Bridgestone 11x6x5" for 125. I sold 27 wheels yesterday to a local kart racer, now I am short on wheels. It is going to be hard to find wheels and tires already mounted. They are really easy to mount yourself. Let me know if i can help! Snakester:thumb:

[Gadget Man]

Snakester
I was out in the garage Sunday afternoon looking at all my parts and doing some dry fitting. I removed the muffler guard and the air box cover, Wow I gained a lot of room. When I removed the muffler guard on the Sterling Engine it still looks like a muffler, no-big-deal.
Then I removed the air box cover I gained anothe 1/2 inch of clearance. I'll just run the foam covered paper filter exposed just like it is.

Still waiting for my TAV
I'll keep you informed.:cheers:

Gadget Man