Amphibious Kettenkrad

[Bw6]

Hi Larry, Thanks for the comments. Rode around for about 15 minutes today checking it out, and enjoyed every minute, even though it was a cold day. Best part was a friend who shot the video for me said he could hear the chains rattling. And my response was: (been waiting to say this for a long time) THERE ARE NO CHAINS! What he heard was the steel guides clinking.

[Stonewall]

I'm curious as to your reasoning for those "cruiser tires", what is the purpose of those? Why not run the tracks all the way to the front like the origional machines?

[Bw6]

I'm curious as to your reasoning for those "cruiser tires", what is the purpose of those? Why not run the tracks all the way to the front like the origional machines?

Stonewall, The cruiser tire I was referring to was the front motorcycle tire, which doesn't give much steering authority in the snow, it will be replaced with an aggressive knobby tire. The tires on the front axles are a smaller diameter and were meant to lift the front of the track to climb over obstacles and also lift the track off of the ground for easier steering. Probably when I'm done testing the "half tracks" I will install a new set of lightweight swimming tracks I've designed right up to the front like the original Kettenkrad. I always wanted to know how a set of half tracks would perform so this is my opportunity to do so. I like doing things in increamental steps and evaluating the results, it just my engineering background I guess. Thanks for your comments.

[Stonewall]

Oh, ok I understand now...doing things one step at a time is a good way to solve potential problems before they manifest themselves too.... I was under the impression that you were going to skid steer this rig(isn't that the way the origionals worked?).

What kind of engine are you using, and what kind of drive train have you put in it?

[Bw6]

Oh, ok I understand now...doing things one step at a time is a good way to solve potential problems before they manifest themselves too.... I was under the impression that you were going to skid steer this rig(isn't that the way the origionals worked?).

What kind of engine are you using, and what kind of drive train have you put in it?

Stonewall, Both the original and mine steer the same way. On the original you could get about 5 degrees of handlebar deflection (steering) before the skid (brake) steering engaged. On mine my goal is 30 degrees. To be able to do this I need an agressive front tire, the right amount of weight transfer to the front wheel and track engagement with the ground as far rearward as possible. As well as the overall goal to keep it as light as possible.

There were and still are a lot of "deal breakers" with this project. One was would I be able to drive the tracks wilth only the rear tire driving? Well to do this I needed an aggressive tire, large dia., wide, an aggressive track (inside), and proper track tension. Well so far I've proved that "half tracks" work, and I feel that I can do a full length set. If this design really works it means, no chains, no chain windup problems, no sprockets, no tensioners, no chain lube, no chain troughs, no chain guards etc... It also makes it is very quiet. Another bonus is if all this works, is you have a very simple, low cost design. With only the rear axle driving, the other axles are just simple idlers. What this really means is that there is no "water path" for leakage into the tub. Bearing lube is via "Bearing Buddies" easily accessable through the rim.

The engine is a 31 hp. Vanguard, coupled via a CVT to a F-N-R transaxle. When the project is completed (are they ever?), I will do a detailed video walk-around for all those interested.

[chris davison]

Hi Ray I too had my day of building a 3 wheeled vehicle. My family would go to Glamis sand dunes in Calif. My wife said she would like an ATC so being handy and inventive I made her one she coul be proud of. It was made from a Kawasaki 900 with a 1013 kit, pop up pistons, Yashamoro stage 2 cam, Bosani 4 in 1 exhaust and had regular dune buggy paddle tires on it. It was quick and scarry going sideways and airborn with 400 lbs of motorcycle. But it was stolen and more than likly went to the Oregon sand dunes.

[Bw6]

Hi Ray I too had my day of building a 3 wheeled vehicle. My family would go to Glamis sand dunes in Calif. My wife said she would like an ATC so being handy and inventive I made her one she coul be proud of. It was made from a Kawasaki 900 with a 1013 kit, pop up pistons, Yashamoro stage 2 cam, Bosani 4 in 1 exhaust and had regular dune buggy paddle tires on it. It was quick and scarry going sideways and airborn with 400 lbs of motorcycle. But it was stolen and more than likly went to the Oregon sand dunes.

Hi Chris, Wow that sounds like a real shaker and mover those Kawi 3 cyl. 900's were powerhouses. I never rode on real dunes, but always wanted too. I remember quite a few years back having never been to a desert before but seeing pictures of it I thought all deserts were mounds of sand. But I laughted when I first visited AZ, looking for the sand dunes but only found gravel. I built a few trikes of my own, from different Honda goldwings, but they weren't off road vehicles.

How is your machine coming?

[chris davison]

Hi Ray Yes it was one of the most fun machines ive ever had, people would look and gawk at it and gestulate wildly to thier friends as I went by at 50 mph on sand hiway it would keep 50 lbs of sand in the air. It was hard to mistake that 4 cylinder 4 stroke street bike sound and hear it off road. I would park it at the Glamis pizza parlor and put a pad lock thru a hole in the disc brake and it would always have several people gathered around it checking it out. I had to put my sand rail in 3 gear to keep up with my wife when she rode it.

[Bw6]

Hi Ray Yes it was one of the most fun machines ive ever had, people would look and gawk at it and gestulate wildly to thier friends as I went by at 50 mph on sand hiway it would keep 50 lbs of sand in the air. It was hard to mistake that 4 cylinder 4 stroke street bike sound and hear it off road. I would park it at the Glamis pizza parlor and put a pad lock thru a hole in the disc brake and it would always have several people gathered around it checking it out. I had to put my sand rail in 3 gear to keep up with my wife when she rode it.

Yes it sure stokes your ego, to have people admire your work. Let me tell you a story, have you ever had anyone ask you for your autograph? Well I was at this ride last year and brought BWII. Well even before it was off the trailer their were a bunch of people gathered around asking questions, and a couple of them even heard about the Bushwacker, (makes you feel good). A little while later this woman comes up to me and asks me if I wouldn't mind signing her brand new ball cap. Well that kinda took me back, so I asked her why she wanted me to sign my autograph, she said well anyone can buy one of these (6x6's) but you built yours! Kinda makes you feel special, only hope she didn't see BWII being towed back after the ride!

[chris davison]

I know that dissappointed feeling, after telling dune buggy friends about the 3 wheeler as it was being built I foolishly put a 1 3/8 taper lock in the axle hub to lock the hub to axle. It lasted about 3 minutes with a 45 tooth sprocket and over 100 ponies to my great embarrasment. Now days if someone asks for your autograph you wonder if identy theft is going on.

[Bw6]

I know that dissappointed feeling, after telling dune buggy friends about the 3 wheeler as it was being built I foolishly put a 1 3/8 taper lock in the axle hub to lock the hub to axle. It lasted about 3 minutes with a 45 tooth sprocket and over 100 ponies to my great embarrasment. Now days if someone asks for your autograph you wonder if identy theft is going on.

Ain't that the truth!

[Stonewall]

How did you make those half tracks? I think I'm going to build a tag axle for my 4 wheeler and make it a half track to see if it improves the flotation.

[Bw6]

How did you make those half tracks? I think I'm going to build a tag axle for my 4 wheeler and make it a half track to see if it improves the flotation.

Stonewall, I posted a bunch of stuff, as well as others on how to make "homemade tracks", you will have to search for it. But basically you take a used snowmobile track (15"x121"), add some bent up steel guides, add a heavy duty piano hinge, and that's it. Used tracks are not very expensive. Or if you want a "tag axle" for your 4 wheeler that has already been designed for just that purpose check out this link:Welcome to Hitch-A-Track

I talked to the guy a while back he is not too far from me. Was considering becoming a dealer back in my Hoot days.

[Stonewall]

That just looks like it hooks up to the 4 wheeler's ball hitch. My plan is a little heavier, with 2 independent swingarms.

[Bw6]

That just looks like it hooks up to the 4 wheeler's ball hitch. My plan is a little heavier, with 2 independent swingarms.

Stonewall, They do articulate quite a bit, but I agree 2 independent swingarms are the way to go. Don't forget to post your progress.