Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: Ken Chambers
http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/art ... ------Mark - working on wingsRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:59:21 -0500Subject: Pietenpol-List: opinions on ebay motorcycle wheels?

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Ken,You will likely get the usual discussion on the pros & cons of usingmotorcycle wheels, so you will have to make your own decision on that. Ibought 21=94 Harley Sportster wheels with the bearings replaced to receive 1=94axles. I then used Dick Navatril=92s idea of an 1 =BC=94 axle (tube) withstep-down tubes installed. My step-down tubes run in about 18=94 on each end,with the 1=94 OD axle being the last. I had to actually mil this one as it was.004=94 over 1=94!=93Wheels 1=94 shows that the Harley hub has 5 pre-drilled and threaded holesfor the disc brake set up on motorcycles. I match-drilled this layout on mydrub brake shoe and attached the shoe with a cover disc (=931187=94). The wheels you are showing have a very interesting spoke attach method, andyou may be challenged to find a way to attach brakes, either disc or drum. I am certainly no expert, and mine is not flight-proven. Good luck!!Gary BootheCool, Ca.PietenpolWW Corvair ConversionTail done, Fuselage on gear(13 ribs down=85) _____

Original Posted By: Jim Markle

Original Posted By: Ken Chambers
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: opinions on ebay motorcycle wheels?

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Ken,I have no machining skills, or tools, either. Attached is a picture of how Imade it happen: Just figured out a way to chuck the axle to one of my =BD=94drills and used wet-or-dry paper to remove the steel; took about 45 minutes' 1 hour per axle.A solid axle is being used by many, but you did not say how big of an axleyour bearings might take.Gary BootheCool, Ca.PietenpolWW Corvair ConversionTail done, Fuselage on gear(13 ribs down=85) _____

Original Posted By: Ken Chambers
Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: sketch might help-- fuselage strips to hold fabricoff of bolts, hardwareRight Steve-- I used 1" stringers on the belly and tapered them at the firewall and tail. I did not (as you can see by this photo) taper the front of the fuselage side stringers--thesefit flush up against my 1/8" birch plywood firewall. This photo shows a bit more. Remember those landing gear fittings need to be made LONGER to penetrate that standoff of fabricas the original Piets had no fabric stand off or in some cases no fabric on the bottom--just plywood. ________________________________________________________________________________Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:10:47 -0500Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: opinions on ebay motorcycle wheels?

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Ken,So there is!! You may be on to something! Gary BootheCool, Ca.PietenpolWW Corvair ConversionTail done, Fuselage on gear(13 ribs down=85) _____

Original Posted By: Ken Chambers
They look like the Chineese made wheels I'am using, I knocked out the bearings and installed bronze bushes with a 1" bore as that was the largest size I could fit through the hub. Not flight proven at this stage.Regards Mike T. ----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: Ken Chambers
To: Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: opinions on ebay motorcycle wheels? They look like the Chineese made wheels = I'am using, I knocked out the bearings and installed bronze bushes with a 1" bore as = that was the largest size I could fit through the hub. Not flight proven at = this stage. Regards Mike T. ----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: "Mike Tunnicliffe"
Guys, we were planing to use wheels like the ones yall are discussing. One thing I noticed during researching them is that the Chinese tires had a very low weight rating. There are tires out there that have adequate weight ratings that will fit those wheels. Just be sure to figure that cost into your decision. We only went away from them because I decided to down size my racing efforts and donated two CR500 18 inch wheels with 5 inch wide hubs to the cause. I had the extra master cylinders and the only thing we need to buy are tires and one rotor.Jeremy in DallasSent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: outofthebox50(at)yahoo.com
Hi, the tyres I,m using are good ones and the tubes are heavy duty, its only the wheels that may not handle much abuse.Regards Mike T. ----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: Dan Yocum

Original Posted By: Ken Chambers
I first used narrow motorcycle wheels with a 5/8 inch axle. Under normal abuse the axle (a six inch bolt) did not bend even though it was supported only on one end; nor did the wheels give in due to side loads. However, when I intentionally ground looped it to avoid a tree during an off airport landing, the wheel collapsed, there was almost no other damage (the bolt was also bent a few degrees). Unable to find an exact match, I made a new pair with a six inch width and a 1-1/4 axle. Again, normal abuse was fine, as would be expected, but a few years later when I went into a two foot deep ditch the wheels proved their strength by holding up fine but they transmitted the forces up the landing gear leg and the fuselage side was torn open. That repair took a lot longer.Jim Malley ----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: Ken Chambers
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: opinions on ebay motorcycle wheels?

Original Posted By: Mark Roberts
You just keep posting those shaky videos and I will just keep watching them. Suredo wish I was there. I will just keep building Pietenpol ribs. I am up to #8! How is the weather holding?Jerry Dotson59 Daniel Johnson RdBaker, FL 32531850-537-5380Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2009 10:45:00 -0700Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: shaky video from first day of Broadhead

Original Posted By: Ken Chambers
Drum brakes on both iterations, the first was straight motorcycle (pictured), the replacements have a drum with an inch larger diameter. Both are adequate for turning, neither could hold a full power run up (but with the Ford that's unnecessary).Jim ----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: "Ameet Savant"
Clear dope, but the final coat has about one ounce of tan added to a gallon of clear. It held up to the elements for 20 years, but the wing now needs recovering.Jim----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: helspersew(at)aol.com

Original Posted By: Ken Chambers
Wayne, Do you know when that picture was taken? Which day? JeffRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2009 06:33:29 -0500Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: opinions on ebay motorcycle wheels?

Original Posted By: "Jim Malley"
> > > > Drum brakes on both> iterations, the first was > straight motorcycle (pictured), the replacements have a> drum with an inch larger > diameter.Both are adequate for turning, neither could> hold a full power > run up (but with the Ford that's> unnecessary).> Jim ________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Oscar Zuniga
>>>>>>>> Drum brakes on both>> iterations, the first was>> straight motorcycle (pictured), the replacements have a>> drum with an inch larger>> diameter. Both are adequate for turning, neither could>> hold a full power>> run up (but with the Ford that's>> unnecessary).>> Jim>>> ________________________________________________________________________________