The idea of using a bike engine is attractive. They're definitely lighter than a ford 2-litre, and light cars are fun cars, right? But how is it done? Can you just hook it (the engine+gearbox) up to the standard sierra diff or do you need to consider modifications? Does anyone have pics and descriptions of how to make it all work?

That's a very general question you've asked there. I think you'll find all the answers to your questions if you look back through previous posts.

Kingr

If I was you - I'd recommend you sit down and have a long look at our website. That should take up a few hours...

well, unfortunately I don't have internet at home and don't have the time to sit down and find the information at work... could you guys please help me find the correct topics?

to summarise:

EDIT: just written all this like you are modifying a finished car, so just ignore the bits that dont apply!

you need a cage for the engine, failing that some way to mount it. Many UK manufacturers supply cages for different engines, though it depends where your chassis mounts are as to whether these are any use.

the gear selector needs swapping for a push pull device, as bikes are sequential. Simple affair this, really, best to use rose joints in the joints so that it is adjustable.

engine wiring needs swapping for the new engine. Some people use the entire bike loom and add on the extra bits that cars need, since your car is completed you may as well just add the engine wires.

the speedo will be different. Probably easier to use the speedo from the bike.

New exhaust. Maybe butcher the bikes exhaust? headers ok but the rest wont fit.

sprocket adapter to fit the propshaft to the bike output. Also new propshaft.

Maybe a new diff, as your current one might not be a suitable ratio for comfortable driving/ crusing. this can wait till you're finished though.

fueling. You might need a new fuel pump, if your old engine had a mechanical pump. Just depends on what you are replacing.



[Edited on 22/8/04 by JoelP]

For a general answer, the bike engine / box in a Locost is mounted longitudunally in the engine with the exhaust ports pointing towards the left hand side of the car (passenger side in UK) and the gearbox output shaft pointing down the tunnel. The gearbox sprocket is removed and a prop adapter is bolted onto the output shaft, which is in turn bolted to a 2 piece prop that has a centre joint about half way down the tunnel before connecting to a conventional car sourced diff (usually Sierra for IRS, Escort Mk2 for live axle). If you need reverse, you can put a mechanical reverse box in place of the centre bearing, or run an electric reverse which either drives a gear on the prop adapter, or on the diff.

So in essence, no mods need to be made to the bike engine apart from bolting on the prop adapter, maybe putting in a baffle plate to help oil surge (depending on engine and what you are going to do with the car), and usually junking the airbox in favour of a sausage type air filter to help with bonnet clearance.
The gearbox is linked up using either a shift (pull/push) cable, or a linkage of some kind to give the driver the same push/pull sequential change as on the bike.

[Edited on 22/8/04 by ChrisGamlin]