The wheel pictured in my build I borrowed from another one of my giraffes. Then I built up a new wheel for it using a nimbus giraffe hub. You probably could find a way to to weld a coaster brake hub or single speed freewheel into a fixed gear. I’d avoid multi-speeds. Even better would be to either buy a giraffe hub, buy a cheap used giraffe, a disc brake hub or wheel since bolt on cogs exist, or buy a cheap fixed gear bike. Kent makes a cheap single speed/fixed gear bike. I imagine you could find one of those walmart kents for pretty cheap second hand. That would also give you drop outs, cranks/chainring, and a good seat tube. Dropouts really don’t have to be anything fancy. Drill a hole of the correct axle diameter for your build in a piece of steel of appropriate thickness, and cut the slot from the end to the hole. I’d use the seat tube from a bike. Make sure the bike uses a standard seat post diameter that you’ll be able to get a uni seat post for. Head/Down tubes likely wouldn’t be the right diameter and may have a seam running along the inside that would prohibit a seat post from sliding in. I’d just go with a premade unicycle seat post although you could make one if you are so inclined. Cutting the slots for saddle adjustment might be tricky but you could just only drill holes in the position you want your seat in.
And that’s a cute green bay in your profile picture. My dad has a white/green 76 project bus of the same color. It’s funny how many air-cooled vw enthusiasts unicycle. Every time a bring a uni to a vw show there is always at least one other person who takes a turn riding it. I think I talked to 5 or 6 other people who can ride at the last Arizona Bus Club Jamboree. The last few years I’ve gone to that I’ve had people ride my 24”, 29” and even a few on my 36”. For all of these people these were the biggest unicycles they had ever gotten to try.
Thanks! Bought new by my parents in 76, it’s been in my hands for a long time.
You’re right there are a few air-cooled over here. I think it might be @corbin who electrified his.
I remember going to Vanfest 15 years ago, I had just started unicycle, and there was a guy who had left his muni on the alley, clearly as in “try if you want”.
Love the bug and uni!
Please post vids of both if possible.
THX
Oww
My 15 tooth cog arrived today, I’m going to drill out holes for a 6bolt brake and I laced up my 12” wheel to my new giraffe hub but some of the spokes are long and due to a 16 hole rim and 36 hole hub I had to make a weird pattern so I don’t know how to measure the length
Are you actually planning on having different sized sprockets on both side of the hub or a brake rotor on one? If not you could get a 32h disc brake bike hub and have an even lacing pattern. Or you could probably get a disc brake scooter wheel in that size although you’d have to check how the width compares for chain line.
I’m interested to see how this goes as I’ve toyed with the idea of a 12” giraffe before. I’d definitely like to see how you’ll go about modifying that 15t cog to fit and how close the chain clears the hub. I have a clown bike with a 16t 6 bolt cog and I wouldn’t mind a little more speed from it
This thing is going to be 52 gear inches so yes I had planned on a brake on the other side. I might just suck it up and buy a spoke threader
Oh duh. I thought about how high that ratio was and then forgot when I asked you if we’re putting a brake on it.
You seem like someone who would benefit from owning such a tool. I’ve been meaning to buy one myself for some time now.
I know right? They’re so expensive but I guess you could definitely make your moneys worth from it
How does it all fit together. Do those splines clear the shoulder of the hub? Any issues with the chain hitting the hub or the bolts?
A 15 tooth cog is just slightly larger than a brake flange but a 14 is too small (I think) otherwise no issues with Chan collisions. As for the splines no they don’t clear the weird raised spot. Whether I grind down the hub or the splines is up for debate, I’d love to remove the splines but the temper on the cog makes it a nightmare to remove any material unless you change it by force
Perhaps a lathe, if you have one available, or know someone with one? Hardened steel can probably be cut down with carbide tools? If you have coolant spray, you can keep the temperature from getting too hot.
Nah I don’t mess with lathes
Have you thought of making it something like a 6" wheel? It would be the only way to make one
If a 6” pneumatic wheel exists I have another idea I might use it on, but for now a 12” giraffe is as small as I’m willing get
6” pneumatic scooter wheels do exist although I’m not sure you could find anything with means to bolt a sprocket on without modifying it. 8” pneumatic wheels can be had with a 6 bolt pattern on them. 8” is what’s on my clown bike pictured in a previous reply
Too bad; it’s a wonderful tool! You can look at it as the unicycle of tools 
I work at a machine shop but I’m a welder and there’s not enough downtime for me to learn. I’d love to, but it’s just not in the cards right now