[bobscogin]

I'm looking for suggestions for a rear wheel that could be adapted to the Harley 45. How about a Sportster drum brake rear? Any other suggestions. I can machine any parts necessary.

Bob

 

[VonWegener]

I would think a unit Triumph 18" rear wheel would be a good choice. They are inexpensive and can be found anywhere. The hubs are simple and cheap to rebuilt as are the brakes. Backing plates work in any direction and since they have long spokes any offset is easy to accomplish.

 

[magnum45pete]

I used a generic Harley rear wheel and used a disc brake set up, worked great.center line and sprocket alignment was spot on

 

[Okie Pete]

The drum type Sportser has a sprocket is larger in dia than the 45 sprocket.

 

[magnum45pete]

The drum type Sportser has a sprocket is larger in dia than the 45 sprocket.

thats why i went for the disc rear wheel, i had a sprocket made for it with 34 teeth for better highway speeds,...drums are too limiting on sprocket sizes..

 

[bobscogin]

...drums are too limiting on sprocket sizes..

That's a big issue. The 45 solo use a 41 tooth rear sprocket. The Triumph wheel uses a 46. Pretty close, especially considering I'd run a tall 19" rear. Also there are motor sprocket options that could probably be utilized. I'd like to keep a drum brake, but about the only way to do that would be to consider a Japanese rear wheel where the sprocket isnt on the brake plate side. Most are that way. That would, of course, necessitate a brake pedal crossover arrangement.

Bob

 

[Sporticus]

This is an XS650 rear wheel. The 20 mm axle has been turned down to 3/4" on both ends to fit the 45 frame. The crossover is made from a bastardized jockey shifter. Can't tell you how well it stops yet, but you have almost unlimited sprocket availability.

That's a big issue. The 45 solo use a 41 tooth rear sprocket. The Triumph wheel uses a 46. Pretty close, especially considering I'd run a tall 19" rear. Also there are motor sprocket options that could probably be utilized. I'd like to keep a drum brake, but about the only way to do that would be to consider a Japanese rear wheel where the sprocket isnt on the brake plate side. Most are that way. That would, of course, necessitate a brake pedal crossover arrangement.

Bob

 

[Apehanger Hank]

I ran a 18" sportster rear wheel on a 45. It was a city bike, never on the highway. I don't remember the teeth number of the trans sprocket, but it was larger than stock. I've also seen 45 with a variety of Japanese 250-750 rear wheels, most with bell cranks or crossover tubes. I remember one in particular which was a Honda CB77 (305) which was cable operated and was a very clean installation.

 

[bobscogin]

This is an XS650 rear wheel. The 20 mm axle has been turned down to 3/4" on both ends to fit the 45 frame. The crossover is made from a bastardized jockey shifter. Can't tell you how well it stops yet, but you have almost unlimited sprocket availability.

Nice. I can get my hands on an XS650 wheel. Any other details, or comments on what was required to get the sprocket to align with transmission sprocket, spacers, rim offset required?

Bob

 

[Itsnotatumor]

I used a generic Harley rear wheel and used a disc brake set up, worked great.center line and sprocket alignment was spot on

That looks like a very interesting rear sprocket. I’m assuming it’s 43 teeth? if so, where did you get it?

 

[magnum45pete]

it's a 32 tooth hard anodised aluminum sprocket i had made by a sprocket maker, think he made dirt bike ones mainly but made it in the correct chain pitch and with the correct bolt hole spacing and center hole, here in England it only cost £60, about $80 near enough,... i went for a 32 tooth for highway speeds and around town it was fine once moving as a 45 1st gear is real low, plus it was on a 45 Magnum i built so had a lot more power to pull it, but many years ago i built a


a 45 with a yam XS rear wheel with a 32 tooth sprocet and it pulled it without issues, maybe slipped the clutch on hill starts now and again until moving and then it was fine, the stock 45 sprocket makes for a real slow bike

 

[Itsnotatumor]

it's a 32 tooth hard anodised aluminum sprocket i had made by a sprocket maker, think he made dirt bike ones mainly but made it in the correct chain pitch and with the correct bolt hole spacing and center hole, here in England it only cost £60, about $80 near enough,... i went for a 32 tooth for highway speeds and around town it was fine once moving as a 45 1st gear is real low, plus it was on a 45 Magnum i built so had a lot more power to pull it, but many years ago i built a


a 45 with a yam XS rear wheel with a 32 tooth sprocet and it pulled it without issues, maybe slipped the clutch on hill starts now and again until moving and then it was fine, the stock 45 sprocket makes for a real slow bike View attachment 275058

Damn, it sounds like your final drive was pretty much a one to one ratio. That thing must fly