DIY bicycle, moped, go-kart, ATV from a chainsaw

The versatility of gasoline chainsaws is proven not only by their multitasking and functionality, but also by the abundance of useful homemade products that craftsmen have learned to make with their own hands. They save money on the purchase of expensive factory devices, for which most people simply do not have the money. But, as they say, the need for invention is acute. Therefore, when talking about chainsaws, many people imagine not only logging or pruning an orchard, but also winches, ice drills, boat motors, grinders, sawmills, which technically competent craftsmen have learned to adapt from everyone’s favorite gasoline-powered tool.

Moving equipment deserves no less attention - bicycles, mopeds, go-karts, ATVs and much more that can be assembled using a chain saw with a gasoline engine. We will talk about how and from what to recreate them and surprise others with an incredible motorized design in this article.

DIY motorbike from a chainsaw

Not every happy owner of a bicycle is delighted with the need to pedal and waste his energy. A motorized bicycle is more convenient and less expensive in terms of power.

Making a bicycle with a chainsaw motor with your own hands is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. For this you will need:

bike;
a saw with a gas engine power of at least 2000 W - this indicator will determine whether it can start moving. As practice shows, the engine power is 2 hp. It is enough for a motorbike to reach a speed of up to 40 km/h;
reservoir for the future fuel tank;
cable from an old bicycle;
a handle to allow you to adjust the throttle;
bolt ties, nuts and other small consumables for creating fasteners;
connecting elements for creating a connection between the wheels and the engine.

The process of installing a chainsaw engine on a bicycle is as follows:

we assemble the drive shaft - remove the rear wheel tire and install a tire with a diameter of up to 2.5 cm. This equipment will help to adjust the engine speed, and like a gearbox, reduce the number of revolutions;
We use electric welding to weld a stand from the corners - it will help install the engine from the chainsaw;
alteration of the clutch - you can use a centrifugal one from a factory saw, connecting it to the wheel;
we adapt the gas tank - it can be located next to the engine, or on the frame;
we attach the wire from the engine ignition system to one of the bicycle handles;
attach a cable from the carburetor to the gas handle so that throttle control is simple and quick;
We equip the motorbike with protective equipment: mirrors, a flashlight, and proceed to testing a homemade bicycle from a chainsaw.

As you can see, installing a chainsaw motor on a bicycle is not so difficult.

Front and rear suspension

Homemade ATVs are equipped with front or rear suspension. It is easier to mount a ready-made front suspension from an old motorcycle. You can use other options:

Rear axle from the car. It must be shortened to fit the parameters of the quadric. The advantage of this method is the presence of a differential. The disadvantage of the bridge is its large mass.
Cardan + gearbox on the rear axle. An independent suspension with high ground clearance is suitable for an all-terrain vehicle. In this case, the suspension arms are fixed to the frame using bolts.

To prevent the ATV from turning over while driving, it is recommended to tilt the front suspension strut. The shock absorbers are from Izha. If you have the financial opportunity, it is better to install gas-oil shock absorbers with pumping. They provide suspension adjustment based on the road surface.

The steering system of an ATV is similar to that of a car. A steering wheel or motorcycle handlebar is installed . Some experts advise combining 2 types:

motorcycle handlebars, shaft and lever at the top;
parts of the steering system from the car are below.

You can make the steering shaft with your own hands. For this, a pipe with a diameter of 20 mm and a wall thickness of 3 mm is used. You will need to install a travel stop at the bottom of the part.

How to make a moped from a chainsaw?

The youth dream of most of our fellow citizens was and remains a moped. It develops a higher speed and has a structure that is more advanced than the motorbike described above. Buying a ready-made moped is not a cheap pleasure. We will tell you how to make it from scrap materials.

For this you will need:

a motor from a working, powerful saw (in our version, this is the “Friendship” model);
2 wheels from an old bicycle;
pipe with a diameter of 2 cm (metal);
cable;
bicycle sprockets; as well as forks;
old spare parts from a motorcycle - a ready-made fuel tank, a headlight, and, if desired, a seat, although this can also be made with your own hands;
steering part;
gas lever.

The process of creating a moped looks like this:

we cook the frame to which we connect the wheels from the bicycle, forks, as well as a gas tank and a lantern;
we adapt the motor - the composition of the installation will depend on the configuration of the frame;

screw on the gas tank and battery;
we check that the newly installed elements do not dangle;
We make a chain drive - it will allow the wheels to receive the torque of the motor and move. You can use a belt instead of a chain pulley. But we must not forget that its wear will be noticeably higher;
we set up the ignition system - we connect the battery and brake lever to it;
adjust the exhaust pipe.

The assembly process is complete: you can start testing the moped.

Preparatory stage

When assembling the structure yourself, the power of the motor, the type of suspension, and the need to install a trunk are taken into account. To perform the upcoming work you will need: a welding machine, drill, grinder, keys, hammer, pliers, jack. As a basis you can take:

Motorcycle Ural.
Motorcycle Izh.
Scooter.
Oka or Niva car.

If necessary, transport is assembled from motorcycle and car parts. If the frame is made independently, special equipment will be required to deform the pipes. In this case, it is recommended to separately make drawings of the frame for the ATV with your own hands. This will simplify the process of assembling components:

Do-it-yourself motor scooter from a chainsaw

An equally famous homemade product that the domestic “Kulibins” learned to make. To recreate it we will need:

a scooter designed to support the weight of the person who will operate it. It is desirable that it initially have a manual braking system. The pneumatic wheelbase of the scooter must be durable;
a chainsaw from which the engine is removed - medium and high-power models are suitable.

The process of assembling a scooter looks simplified compared to previous homemade products:

First, remove the motor base and secure it to the back of the scooter frame. Make sure that the motor and wheel sprockets match;
we attach a manual accelerator with ignition of the chain saw - this way the operator can control the moving process;
If necessary, the scooter is equipped with a brake pedal, but in most cases, the lever for manual control of the scooter is enough for its full operation.
testing a scooter made from a chainsaw - if it is working properly, the new motorized device is ready and can be used.

Gearbox and brakes

If the quad is assembled on the basis of a car, the chain drive is replaced. This greatly simplifies vehicle maintenance. A manual transmission is installed, as it improves maneuverability. The input shafts are directed to the front and rear axles. Wheels can be removed from small cars: Oka, Niva.

The brake system is selected taking into account the mounted wheels. The steering knuckles are removed from the Niva or Oka. To assemble an all-wheel drive model, you will need: car steering, transmission drive and differentials. In this case, the frame is not used. It is better to weld the structure to suit the engine size.

The suspension is also removed from the car. A gearbox is installed on the front-wheel drive model. The next stage is the manufacture of the body. For this you will need fiberglass, fiberglass. Experts advise using the first material, as it is easier to work with.

A drawing is pre-prepared and body elements are cut out from polystyrene foam. To fix them together, glue or foam is used. Fiberglass is glued to the foam. The resulting structure is attached to the frame. The body is well dried, primed, sanded and painted.

Tires of the required size are selected. If the vehicle will be used off-road, it is necessary to create the appropriate ground clearance (distance from the bottom to the surface of the earth). For this, R17 wheels are installed.

The resulting ATV is equipped with turn signals, headlights, a dashboard, and a battery. Electrical equipment is connected according to a pre-designed diagram. For this, wiring and a multimeter are used to check the voltage in the network. The next step is to install the seats. The vehicle is checked for serviceability, and the data displayed on the drawings is compared. A quadric, correctly assembled, is not inferior in technical and operational characteristics to finished vehicles.

Homemade children's ATV from a chainsaw

The last homemade product that we will look at will be dedicated to ATVs. In fact, to assemble an ATV you need similar materials as for a go-kart or tricycle:

engine from an old powerful and working chainsaw;
gearbox – increases engine thrust and takes over its operating speed;
ATV frame – it should be stronger and more stable;
the driver's seat is good if you have an old moped seat: a teenager will be more comfortable in it than in a bulky car seat;
wheels with rough tread, diameter of at least 34-35 cm each. This will improve the cross-country ability of the ATV and make it similar to an SUV.

If desired, the prefabricated structure of the ATV can be improved to perfection with shock absorbers: the maneuverability of the ATV will increase, and the operating stroke will become smoother.

Homemade vehicles are cheap, but not always reliable. They can only be used in strict compliance with all safety regulations.

Power unit

The motor is removed from a sports or regular motorcycle, scooter, or car. Auto mechanics advise using a four-stroke engine with a power of more than 15 hp. With. The power units of scooters differ from other analogues in their low fuel consumption. An ATV based on a scooter weighs little, so it can be pulled out quickly if it gets stuck in sand or mud.

To transport cargo or drive off-road, a stronger motor is installed:

from Izh-1, Izh-2 or Izh Jupiter with a power of 24 hp. With.;
from the Urals 32 or 36 l. With.;
from Oka two-cylinder engine 35 liters. With.

To transport heavy loads, a three-cylinder engine is installed. To drive in hot weather, a motor with a cooling system is used. It is not available on older motorcycles. In such units, the cooling system will need to be modified.

Useful tips

For proper assembly of a moped with your own hands, reliable service, for remodeling and designing other equipment, listen to the advice:

Before assembling the motorbike, make sure that the main part - the bicycle - is in optimal technical condition. Modernization will increase the load on all its parts.
Check the condition of the gasoline tank carefully. Fuel should not spill out, as this may cause a fire.
In addition to engine power, don't forget about volume and weight. The volume should not exceed 50 cm³, weight - no more than 6 kg.
When installing the belt, make sure that the part is held firmly on the wheels, otherwise the accuracy of the impulse transmission from the motor to the wheel will decrease.
Using a chainsaw motor, you can independently design other equipment: a go-kart or a tricycle. You will have to make an effort: weld a strong metal frame, prepare a working gearbox.
With a strong frame, gearbox, driver's seat, wheels with a diameter of at least 35 cm and a saw engine, try to construct an ATV.

Don't throw away spare parts from old equipment. You can breathe a second life into them and create a convenient means of transportation.