Okay so here's the deal. I am going to build a winch for times when I can't get out on the lake with my boat. After looking at all the stuff I need it looks like 5 or 6 hundred to build which is just fine but then I had an idea. I was at tractor supply and they 3 or 4 mini dirt bikes with the same motor I had planned on using. Can I just buy one of those dirt bikes and remove the rear tire as the spool? It seems to be the same concept. Brakes, speed regulator and everything else needed already in one package. I would of course mount a hitch to the front for my truck but besides that it seems to look like it will work. Any comments would be great, thanks.

I don't know if you'd be able to make a spool big enough to get enough rope to make it worth it. Get the specs, build a spool, and try it out. If it doesn't, put the og tire back on and take it back.

ya you can. ive seen pics and videos of people doing it. the only thing is you would have to make a guide for the rope. otherwise while cutting it would cause the rope to come off the rim.

dir bikes are air cooled so be careful of that and you should be fine

dir bikes are air cooled so be careful of that and you should be fine <BR> <BR>---- <BR> <BR>not all of them <BR> <BR>i have 4 in my garage and all 4 have a radiator

Yeah majority are liquid cooled, but Ive also wanted to do this with our pit bike because I dont have the doe to build one or buy one

You could always go this route <BR><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ag0ybqYU0U" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ag0ybqYU0U</a>

The Reaper <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/676432.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/676433.jpg" alt="Upload">

I've got an old ATC350 four stroke. I had the same thought. <BR>Its got everything needed already in place except the spool that could be mounted on the axel and obviously the rims would need to be removed. Weld a trailed hitch on and pull it behind the truck on the front tire. <BR> <BR>Hmmm project!!!