How To: Spreading Your Frame for Clearance

[locell]

Your advice is timeless, bairdco.

Here's my problem.

Dropout width is 130mm, so I can get a multi-speed hub in there w/no probs.

I need more tire clearance for my motorcycle tire. I'm estimating less than -1/16" on one chainstay to +1/16" on the other side's seat stay.

Do I have to cut off the fender bracket/cross brace on the seat stay?

Do I have to cut off the bike stand bracket on the chain stay?

To my thinking, that's the only way the stays will spread where the tire will be. I can secure the stays with C-clamps. That way, the welds on the seat tube don't get stressed during the spreading process.

Thanks for help. I'll prolly use a Toyota jack or all-thread and washers.

I'd use the all-thread method. the Jack Might spread it out a little to fast, and that could be a problem. The all-thread allows for some more precision control as well.

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

Good point, locell.

 

[BigBlue]

This is a technique by Sheldon Brown - those pictures in post #1 look familiar. Just check for symmetry with a piece of string, as shown by Sheldon Brown:
http://sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

Good Luck,

Chris
AKA: BigBlue

 

[LabRat]

This is the axle I'm using, and by time you mount it you do have to spread your frame quite a bit.
http://www.bicycle-engines.com/Freewheel-Sprocket-and-HD-Axle-Kit-w-Brake.html
when I bought it I didn't think I would have to spread the frame that much but there you go, oh and I'm mounting a 79cc and ezm to it

That hub. Myself and everyone I know who has ever used that hub has had it fail. Good luck to you and your choice. I know of three failed HD hubs like the one you posted from the same place.

 

[Rocket123]

Here is the simple tool I made. Jamb nuts in the middle to hold from spinning then just turned the outer nuts. It worked for me.