Free Plans: Make a Wood Toy Motorcycle

Follow this step-by-step guide to build a practical and durable wooden toy motorcycle that will last generations.

Key Project Details

What’s better than a handmade wood toy that will last for years to come? This motorcycle from Forest Street Designs features large wheels to stand on its own, two tones of wood– cherry and maple, solid construction for rough play, and provides endless play value with rolling wheels. It’s a classic to build and treasure.

Time to Build	2 Days
Difficulty	2 of 5
Dimensions	7″ x 4″ x 1.5″ (LxWxH)
Materials Needed	3/4 inch Cherry (wheels and body) 3/4 inch Maple (forks and saddle) 3/8 inch Dowels 3/8 inch forstner bit Wood Glue (Tite Bond II) 3M Super 77 (spray adhesive) Masking tape Mineral Spirits (Optional)
Tools Needed:	Scroll Saw Drill (Cordless or Drill Press) Hole Dozer (to cut wheels) Clamps Hand Saw Belt Sander (or equivalent) Sand paper Chisel (optional)
Lessons Learned:	Thoroughly sand the wheels so they can spin freely Belt sander does a mediocre job smoothing round edges Mineral spirits work wonders to remove excess adhesive

Download Free Plans from Forest Street Designs:

Step-by-Step Build Instructions

Step1 attaching plans to wood with spray adhesive — STEP 1: Print the plans and cut out as shown above. Use spray adhesive (3M Super 77) to attach the paper plans to the wood. I chose cheery for the body and wheels contrasting with maple for the forks and saddle bags.

Close up of a hole dozer to make wheels — STEP 2: Use a cordless drill or a drill press (shown above) with a Hole Dozer to cut out the wheels.

Close up of a scroll saw cutting out wooden pieces

STEP 3: Use a scroll saw to cut the remaining pieces.

Overhead shot of motorcycle pieces — Motorcycle pieces cut to rough size

Photo of a belt sander with a piece about to be sanded

STEP 4: A belt sander (or equivalent sander) can be used to smooth the edges and refine to the correct dimensions. IMPORTANT: Be sure to sand the wheels really well on each side so the wheels will spin freely once the axle is glued in place. (As you’ll see below, I did not sand enough)

Close up of a drill press about to cut saddle hole — STEP 5: Drill all holes labeled on each piece with a 3/8 inch Forstner bit.

Dry fit for all pieces to fit together — STEP 6: Dry fit pieces to make sure all the sizes are correct and fit well.

A chisel removes excess paper — STEP 7: Remove paper from the wood (using a chisel shown above). PRO TIP: Spray some mineral spirits and let sit for 10 minutes and it will peel right off.

Glue added to the front fork — STEP 8: Add wood glue and clamp front and rear forks

Motorcycle on its side clamped — The front fork is glued and clamped while the wheel and dowel are used to position the wheel equidistant from the body. **NOTE: Do not glue the wheel yet.**

Rear motorcycle with two clamps — Rear fork is glued and clamped while positioned with the wheel and dowel in place. **NOTE: Do not glue the wheel yet.**

Wait 24 Hours for Glue to Dry…

moto pieces laid out after finished drying — After the glue dries, you can see your motorcycle is coming along! Only the dowels are left to complete.

Tape added to bottom of forks — STEP 9: Add tape to one side of front and rear fork to hold the glue and prevent spillage.

Adding glue to the forks — STEP 10: Turn over and add two pea sized glue drops to ONE fork

Tape on wheels with dowel inserted — STEP 11: Add masking tape around the wheel holes to prevent glue from spilling and locking wheels to the forks. Insert the dowel and glue the top half inch just before the dowel is fully inserted. This means that glue will only be inside the forks and not in the wheel so it can spin freely. Repeat for the rear wheel.

Motorcycle with dowels protruding out the side. — Let the glue dry for about 1 hour.

STEP 12: Remove excess dowel with hand saw and cut flush with the fork.

Adding dowels — STEP 13: Glue Dowels to foot rest and handle bars. Wait about 1 hour and cut excess with a hand saw.

chisel is used to remove excess tape — STEP 14: Clean up excess masking tape and sand edges smooth with 220 sand paper. This is where I should have sanded the wheels better. It took me forever to get all the little pieces of masking tape out of the wheels.

Osmo wax oil is used to finish the motorcycle

STEP 15: Remove all dust and apply Osmo Polyx-Oil which is safe for children’s toys. Use gloves and non-abrasive pads to work the oil into the surface of the wood. Let sit for about 15 minutes and wipe the excess with a paper towels. IMPORTANT: Safely dispose of wet rags, gloves, and pads which can be flammable.