geokite - 17-12-2009 at 10:10 AM
I'm currently running a very standard front wheel on my PL Monster. 15mm bearings, plastic rim.
I'm interested in getting a front wheel that is more balanced, for high speed runs. Sometimes my front end, at speed, is a tad bouncy, unstable.
What type of business would I look for to either create (machine) one, or to buy one? I live in a major metropolitan area, San Diego, so there should
(hopefully) be no shortage of businesses that would be able to create this.
Thanks
flexiblade - 17-12-2009 at 10:23 AM
Sounds like either a tire or bearing issue rather than a full retooling. vxb carries a good selection of bearings with decent prices. Could also be
the rim - start with the simple stuff and then work into the complicated only if its necessary - or if your a masochist.
jellis - 17-12-2009 at 10:32 AM
Hey Steve I carry a line of aluminum rims that are quite affordable. 2.5", 4" and 8" wide.
DAKITEZ - 17-12-2009 at 10:51 AM
Like flexi said check your bearings. And if its still an issue how about getting it balanced? I doubt a tire shop could put the buggy wheel on their
spinning balancer but a good tire shop should have the old school balancing machine that doesn't spin. They can use the sticky weights and get you
fixed up.
I tend to think there is more of a problem with your bearings or wheel like Flexi said. If memory serves me correct the buggy that has the speed
record was using standard plastic wheels and i didn't see a balancing machine around either.
awindofchange - 17-12-2009 at 01:51 PM
Steve,
We also carry the same wheels that Jellis is referring to. The rims are aluminum and ride tons better than the stock ABS plastic ones. The bearings
are much larger as well. All bearings are 20mm but we have machined spacers to allow you to mount the wheels on 12mm and 15mm axles.
I have been using these wheels for over a year now and they are awesome.
Here's the link:
Custom Aluminum Buggy Wheels
Before getting these wheels, we also did some searches for custom wheels and ran into a lot of difficulty. The main problem is that the wheel needs
to be finished on both sides for the front - and has to be solid axle mountable (not bolted like on a car). The only options we were able to come up
with was custom design and build. When checking into a qualified machine shop to build some of these wheels, the best prices we could get was around
$200+ per wheel - but they would pretty much make anything or any design we desired. Then we looked into just purchasing the raw material (billit
aluminum) and the cost of just the block of aluminum (8.5" x 8.5" x 5") was around $180+ per piece, then you would need to have that machined.
Anyways, we were never able to come up with something that was close to being affordable.
Hope this information helps you out. If you come up with something please let us all know! 