Hitchcocks Forum

Chaps



I've searched for, and found, a number of threads concerning rear wheel offset for a (for the sake of argument) 1952 half width hub, but am not sure that any came to a firm conclusion.



The nearest that I got as was that the rim should be central to the hub (not including the drum and cush housing) but, when I called Hitchcocks, they were not at all certain and, eventually, said that they thought it should be laced 'straight, to the brake drum).



Just eyeing up the components, dry built into the frame, that doesn't seem right - and I'm favouring the central to the hub solution - but if anyone has actually done this and actually knows the answer as a consequence, it would be really helpful to hear from you.



Thanks in advance.



Iain

I took apart a 1955 half width hub for rebuilding recently and took the measurements. I will check for you. We are talking 350 I take it? The 500 is very different. (But I have that too somewhere!)
REgards, Mark

I assume this is going into the Hitchcocks hardtail rear end so Marks details may not work out. Only thing I could suggest is to bolt the hub into position with it lined up with the gearbox sprocket, do this with a string line, you may have to modify the spacers to get the sprocket exactly right, then you need a stringline through from the front of the steering to center of the rear frame and then you will be able to work out the offset by measuring from the stringline to each side of the hub,and that will give you the offset only way you can properly do it. These measurements you can then give to whoever is going to lace the wheel

Hi Mark



Yes it's a 350. I'd appreciate your help.



Hi Norm



It's a custom frame, with a custom hard tail, that has - hitherto - used the QD hub.

Same thing applies then unless you want to work it out from the QD hub, but you will have to check that the bolted up position of the QD sprocket and the half width hubs are the same and true with the gearbox sprocket, that is your starting point, everything works from that

Bolt the gearbox onto the frame and take all your measurements from the gearbox sprocket

Hi Norm



Yes. Having read your post, it did occur to me that I could refit the QD wheel; mark a reference point for the centre of the QD wheel; refit the engine; fit and space the rear hub; make sure that the sprockets are properly aligned; and then measure the offset myself.



Being on a bit of a tight timeline, I'd kinda hoped to avoid getting the rear wheel built in two stages, but it's surely the right way to do it.

Thanks for turning on the lights.



Iain

Lian, I can't see why you need to build the wheel in 2 stages, once you work out the off set using the single sided hub it is just measurements to lace the wheel up

Hi Norm



The hub is going off to be media blasted, painted, put together, skimmed, 2 sets of softer brake shoes made etc.



As a part of the brake setting up process, brake/hub/wheel bloke will need to space the brake cover from the drum to make up the void that is left by using sealed bearings in place of the old fangled ones (along with the no longer required dust cover and felt washer) so, until that's done, I won't have an accurate location for the rear wheel sprocket.



Not important, but it's iain, by the way.

Sorry Iain I usually fit the seals and dust covers back in after fitting sealed bearings, can't hurt and it keeps everything with the correct spacing