In the fashion of old school chopper building, I can't afford to buy the bike I want, so I'm building it! I'm a poor degenerate with a 77' Ironhead swingarm chopper build. I want a 21" front wheel to give me a little more lift and that proper chopper feel. Can't afford a proper 21" HD wheel.
I had a mechanic recommend that if I'm not too picky a cheap way to go would be a dirt bike front tire. I looked em up and the price difference is staggering!
I've since been searching for more information about this swap. Like, how does the axle size effect my decision? Do brakes factor in? Can I run a street tire on it?... etc. There's nearly no talk about this process at all, ANYWHERE.
It seems like this practice would be handed down from the grandpappys of choppers, yet no information on forums.
I don't want to abandon the front brake all together so I'm thinking a drum brake would be cool (cleaner bars, less mess, still have some front stopping influence.) I want a skinny front tire, too. This seems perfect, and cheap.
How can I run an old dirtbike wheel and make it work on my 77', 4+, 35mm, 3/4 axle?
I had a mechanic recommend that if I'm not too picky a cheap way to go would be a dirt bike front tire. I looked em up and the price difference is staggering!
I've since been searching for more information about this swap. Like, how does the axle size effect my decision? Do brakes factor in? Can I run a street tire on it?... etc. There's nearly no talk about this process at all, ANYWHERE.
It seems like this practice would be handed down from the grandpappys of choppers, yet no information on forums.
I don't want to abandon the front brake all together so I'm thinking a drum brake would be cool (cleaner bars, less mess, still have some front stopping influence.) I want a skinny front tire, too. This seems perfect, and cheap.
How can I run an old dirtbike wheel and make it work on my 77', 4+, 35mm, 3/4 axle?
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