Hi there! New guy from SoCal.

[Philipv]

Hi everyone, just wanted to introduce myself. Name's Phil. I've been lurking for a while, and finally decided to say Hi, plus I wanted to talk about my possible project.
So I want to build a mini bike from the ground up, but I'm not really sure where to start, so I am starting from the back and going to work my way forward. I have a pair of golf cart wheels that I want to use, I don't think I will use them front and back, but I'm pretty sure I want to use one in the rear. So I've been thinking about how to actually drive this wheel, and was hoping I could get some help from the community. The bolt holes are 4" diagonally from each other, is there a drive hub that would bolt up to that? If not, I think I could make a drive hub for it. I guess, before I get too far ahead of myself, should I even bother with the golf cart wheel/tire? it is rather squared.
as for the rest of the frame, I was thinking of a sort of Frijole look with a single top tube and down tube, but using square tubing just to make it easier to weld up.
that's about all I have for now. Oh, also, I was planning on going to Joe's mini bike reunion on 9/26! I'm sure i'll get plenty of inspiration there, hope to meet a few members too.

 

[CarPlayLB]

Hi Phil, welcome aboard!
Starting with a big tire like that presents a bunch of challenges. You may want to think about using a go kart axle and seeing if there is a hub that can be modified for your wheel. I don't know that I would be up for that challenge. You may spend more time and money to make something that is not what you envisioned
I will be at Joe's...just look for the very handsome fat kid and you will find me! ...or I will PM you my info and you can call me when you are there!

 

[Philipv]

Got your PM. Thanks. I'll give you a call when I get to Joes.
Thanks for the tip on the go cart wheel. Maybe i'll go another route, and start with something smaller, perhaps from a pocket bike. Those are always for sale on craigslist.

 

[Brooklyn Bob]

Welcome to the minibike madness!

 

[Philipv]

So for anyone that happens to read this, perhaps you can educate me on some rear wheel info. I picked up a rear wheel and tire with a band brake off of either a pocket bike, or a go ped. It was only $20, so not a big investment. But as I'm cleaning it up I realize that the drive gear is on a one way bearing. I tore it down, and it's very much like the rear cassette from a bicycle with pawls and teeth. It seems sturdy, but I'm hesitant to build off this simply because I don't know how robust it will be down the road. So from some website browsing, on a mini bike rear wheel, it looks like the drive gear is directly connected to the hub, no teeth or pawls. In your opinions, should I ditch this wheel and start fresh with a real mini bike rear wheel? Seems like I already know my own answer, but I just want to see if I could possibly build off this wheel.