Hello there,
A simple question:
What is the best piece of billet to use to make a rear wheel adaptor for sidecar use?
Sean

Will it have threaded holes in it for the wheel studs?

chris846 wrote:Will it have threaded holes in it for the wheel studs?

Yes it will need to be turned down and be threaded

With you mentioning billet, I thought you could be considering aluminium (I could be wrong). Aluminium will be no good for wheel stud threads - steel is needed. However, any old mild steel should do.

Thanks for those replies.
The question was in regards to the grade of material other people here with sidecars might have used, not about threads etc.
Cheers
 Sean

You can get aluminium that would do the job but the cost would make your eyes water. A higher grade than mild would be desirable.
I will see what I can scout up. there are a few places that would sell you a billet.

Atlas steels Ph 1800 818 599 the grade of steel is 1045 which is around 550 tensile which is higher than mild (350 or less) and easily machined. Billet size is 200mm (8in) diameter 100mm long. it would weigh about 25 kg but machined to the plans I did should come in around 8.5kg.
Atlas may or may not cut to size but if they don't then ask who has bought some of that bar recently and get onto them.

Thanks Rick,
Steve M and myself are looking at getting one each made.
Will talk to him about it and see where we go from here.
Cheers
 Sea.

Don't be daft, nobody makes wheel adapters out of steel. They all are made of aluminium alloy. Usually 2024 or 6061. You are not going to add 5 kilo's of steel in your rear wheel.
If you are afraid you will strip the threads you always can install Heli coils as a precaution. Or you can install studs. But you are a special breed if you are blunt enough to strip 12mm thread in 2024.
The bolts where your engine is connected to the frame is 10mm and fitted in the aluminium casting.

Yes, I've chatted with Charlie about it as well. This outfit is not going to be treated too harshly or thrashed. I have a Rocket III for that.
Cheers
 Sean