Are hubless motorcycle wheels the next big look for true custom choppers?
Hubless or centreless wheels technically speaking are not without hub.
Instead of this, the hub is as large as the wheel itself and the axle is hollow.
Since there are pieces that bolt to hold the inner race,THAT is the hub,albeit a large one.A wheel cannot be hubless or it would roll away on its own.it APPEARS hubless.I’m not saying it doesn’t look cool as hell,I’m just saying the inner race,and the system that clamps it is in effect,a hub,it is just so large you don’t notice it..You don’t need sopkes to make it an axle hub.One piece spun aluminum wheels have no spokes,but still have a central hub.In this case the inner race is used as a hub.
Hubless motorcycle wheels
hubless motorcycle wheel
This hubless motorcycle wheel makes me think of the real early 20th century drives,I applaude the engineering, but other than flash its seems impractical and understanbly its big bucks!
Comparing this kind of wheel and the standard type with spokes and hub, looks like the standard is more revolutionary than hubless. Simple, less maintenance, cheaper bearing, movable parts fully covered from dust, water, etc. Is more efficient.
Does this have an advantage or purpose beyond the cool factor…or is this like spinners was to wheels just a few years ago. What is the practicality of this beyond bling?
More specifically, the hub is actually almost as big as the wheel itself. The axle is hollow, following the wheel at very close tolerances. The hubless wheel was invented by Franco Sbarro (who has built a variety of working hubless wheel vehicles, including at least two motorcycles and a car, the 1989 Sbarro Osmos), and patented by Globeholding of Geneva.
Although hubless wheels are striking in appearance, their numerous practical disadvantages have precluded their widespread use as an alternative to conventional wheels. They are difficult and expensive to manufacture, requiring a great deal of precision machining, and the design leaves the bearings and other mechanical parts largely exposed to the elements. The drive system is especially problematic since a conventional axle and CV joint cannot be used; options include using chain or belt drive. Another solution, developed by Sbarro, is to house the entire propulsion system inside the wheel itself.
