Sprocket Adapter for Schwinn Meridian

[Seanik]

I am in the process of motorizing a Schwinn Meridian trike, absolutely don't want to use the pineapple/rag joint on the free wheel. The Meridian's free wheel hub accurately measures .75", I was informed that the smallest available diameter adapters are 1" because smaller hubs can't absorb or would slip from the applied torque. Is it possible to buy and install some type of free wheel sprocket on the meridians rear axle? I am a somewhat unskilled backyard mechanic, could I install a free wheel sprocket?
Appreciate any advice,
Seanik (Jerry in Erie Pa)

 

[GreenMantis]

I was just wondering the same thing, and I think you sure can. You will need to put one together yourself, SBP has everything you need. Start with this:
http://sickbikeparts.com/freewheel-adapter-1/
And one of these, they have 4 different ones, this is the cheapest, but they have heavy duty ones that cost more, and are otherwise interchangeable:
http://sickbikeparts.com/shift-kit-and-all-drive-products/
http://sickbikeparts.com/shift-kit-and-all-drive-products/
And then the sprocket of your choice:
http://sickbikeparts.com/shift-kit-and-all-drive-products/
They have a bunch in different sizes, you'll have to pick which one is best for you.
It looks like my links don't work right, what you want is the freewheel adapter, with the 5/8 keyed hole, a freewheel and a sprocket. They are all on that page.
They make freewheels for tricycle axles too, my trike has one. They have small sprockets, but they are made for bicycle chains, and are kind of thin for a motor drive sprocket.

 

[Larry Horton]

I am in the process of motorizing a Schwinn Meridian trike, absolutely don't want to use the pineapple/rag joint on the free wheel. The Meridian's free wheel hub accurately measures .75", I was informed that the smallest available diameter adapters are 1" because smaller hubs can't absorb or would slip from the applied torque. Is it possible to buy and install some type of free wheel sprocket on the meridians rear axle? I am a somewhat unskilled backyard mechanic, could I install a free wheel sprocket?
Appreciate any advice,
Seanik (Jerry in Erie Pa)

Jerry, I have a Schwinn Meridian tricycle that I have motorized and ridden about 8 months now (Tampa Fl to New Orleans). I mounted the big sprocket on to the brake drum. I found how to do it in a Utube video. It has worked great. in

 

[CentralCoastCruiser1]

Staton, inc. sells a freewheel sprocket that fits the Schwinn Meridians rear axle.

 

[Gastrike 9]

Manicmechanic makes any size hub adapter you need... As far as sprockets go, he offers 36 to 48 tooth only...

 

[wolvmarine]

I have the Meridian as well and that .75 inch rear hub is a PITA. everything I've found is either 1.5 or 1inch. No adapters for the damn meridian I guess its not that popular. Guess what I fabricated my own with two hole saws and a bit of wood and some old bicycle tubes for traction she aint pretty but it works.

 

[wolvmarine]

Either way I would like an better adapter. I've already broken two rim laces. and that tensioner isn't the greatest and the booger loves to eat chains. I've fixed 3 times and topped off around 30 with a 42t sprocket.

I've used a piece of the wheel cover frame to "tension" the nylon wheel using a bit of heavy duty black zip tie.

She honestly shouldn't even work but she's far from dependable and I'd like her to that level now. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[wolvmarine]

Jerry, I have a Schwinn Meridian tricycle that I have motorized and ridden about 8 months now (Tampa Fl to New Orleans). I mounted the big sprocket on to the brake drum. I found how to do it in a Utube video. It has worked great. in

Hey Larry, I was hoping you still have a link to that video. I have a Meridian with Pred 212 but my chain doesn't have enough tension and was hoping for some ideas. Thanks

 

[Wrench]

Hi wolvmarine,
I was looking at your pic's and don't ya think a heavy duty spring would be better than a zip tie?
As inventive as it is, The sprocket hub adapter clamped to the wheel hub with wood spacers and a inner tube wrapped around it. Kinda looks like a disaster waiting to happen. Ya might want to figure out something better before ya ruin the wheel.
As far as having too much slack in your chain, If the motor is shimmed up a little it will take up the dif?

 

[wolvmarine]

Hi wolvmarine,
I was looking at your pic's and don't ya think a heavy duty spring would be better than a zip tie?
As inventive as it is, The sprocket hub adapter clamped to the wheel hub with wood spacers and a inner tube wrapped around it. Kinda looks like a disaster waiting to happen. Ya might want to figure out something better before ya ruin the wheel.
As far as having too much slack in your chain, If the motor is shimmed up a little it will take up the dif?

Oh yes I've been hoping to find an adapter that would fit between either 1.5" or 1" to 0.75" but it seems there's nothing out there that I could find. I'm thinking of using a hole saw as I did for the wooden reducers and cut a hockey puck down to what is needed. I know that's more jerry riggin but I seem to be out of options to get this puppy to become reliable. I do like the idea of shiming the motor up but I think your right about using the zip tie. It's stronger that the bit of metal its being held up by but that was mostly for gauging purposes and didn't really expect to run with that mock up. I'll be draggin out the welder to get a more robust tension system setup for her next. Any ideas for the reducer would be much appreciated!