Hi

I am thinking of starting a BEC project, but I am using the Ron Champion second edition book. Therefore I need to know whether I will be required to make any changes when it comes to building the chassis.

Also, I am not too sure as the total list of parts that I need when resourcing the bike engine (going for a blade or R1), so if someone could provide me with an extensive list of parts, so that I know what to ask for.

How do people deal with the reverse gearbox (as there is no reverse on a bike). Does this mean that you need two gearboxes.

Are there any other things that I need to know. I was thinking of going with Live instead if IRS, mainly as its easier, and IRS isn't covered in RC's book

Let me know any thoughts, much appreciated

Darrell

Darrell,

IRS is certainly considered more time consuming when building a car and most people on here have said they'd rather have gone live axle to cut build time.
That said, MK do a reverser thingy that bolts to a Sierra IRS diff. A couple of other boxes are available that fit inline with the prop, I think quaife amongst others do one of this type.

Someone will give you a fuller list I'm sure but basically get everything you can with the bike engine. loom, ancillaries, gearbox, even dash and ignition key as some have a resistor built into the circuit, also if you use the bike dash it makes wiring up easier (so I've been told) and saves money.

I'll wait to be corrected & ammended by BEC builders....

Ned

Thanks for the info. Just to let you know though that I am a complete newby a this type of thing, so if I ask stupid questions, its basically because I am stupid :-)

I have heard this MK bounded about, but never really understood what it stands for, maybe you could shed some light for me

Thanks

D

MK: Martin Keernan Engineering, they produce an IRS locost/7 type car, the INDY and a mid engined motorbike car, the GT1.
Take a look at:
http://www.mkengineering.co.uk
if you look under accessories or parts or price list I think there's an image of their reverser box for a sierra dif.

Ned.

ps, sorry forgot to say welcome to the forum etc etc

[Edited on 8/7/03 by ned]

Darren

You're where I was a little over a year ago, ask as many questions as you like, that's what we're here for. I went the live axle route with a home built chassis and a ZX9 engine and kept it all really simple.

If you don't want the hassle of building a chassis (I enjoyed the process and glad I did, but next time I would buy one), then buy something like an MK Indy chassis and cradle for the bike engine.

If you wanna build your chassis then do it as per the book, but download Jim McSorleys PDF chassis plans (search on here for the link to his site). You can then print them out and cut the steel to lenghth on the plans.

I just built the chassis without the engine bay rails, then got my engine, suspendid it in the chassis, then made up the mounts to fit. Get the exhaust manifold soon after getting the engine so you can place it correctly.

Join the Yahoo Groups BEC forum as well for more BEC technical help.

As for engine, for a budget built go for blade, ZX9 or R1.

Don't worry about reverse, most people don't both, it's very easy to push back.

Check on the Yahoo list today, there is an exhaustive list of what you need for the engine (maybe posted from a question by you already?).

Choose your engine carefully as the most guarantees are worth sh*t. Try to get one from a recommended breakers.

Treat the book as a rough guide only, you'll find you use it less and less as you go on.

Get to as many kit car shows and meetings as you can, meet as many other builders as possible, read everything on this and the Yahoo forum, and ask lots of questions!

You won't regret it, had mine on the road just a few weeks now and loving it.

[Edited on 8/7/03 by Jasper]

My BEC Locost (blade) is an original MK chassis that was originally going to have a X Flow in it, so the same as the book chassis with live axle etc. When building it though, I modified it to take the Bike Engine.

The only thing you need to consider differently is engine mounting and how the exhaust is going to route out the side of the chassis (the diagonal gets in the way sometimes), and also how you are going to mount the centre bearing for the prop, or the mechanical reverse box if you decide to go that route.
You can also leave in the tube that goes across the thransmission tunnel at the front of the footwells, as a BEC doesnt need this removed in order to fit the gearbox, unlike a X-Flow.

Chris

Another question is if I am fitting a bike engine, do I need an engine cradle, as I have seen in some other messages. If so, where do I get the plans for such a thing

What about gearboxes, which ones do you use, and where do you get them from ?

Thanks

Darrell

Darrell,

You need an engine cradle or some other means of mounting the engine into the chassis. Most people (AFAIK) support the engine in the bay and then build a cradle/mounting system/bars around it. MK do a cradle for their chassis which I guess you could buy and then adapt, but best off doing it yourself IMO.

Gearboxes: use the bikes gearbox that'll be on the engine then get a prop flange/adapter to fit it to a propshaft. I'm sure someone can advise of the best place to get them.

Ned.

Firstly, sorry for the 'Darren'.

You really need to have a close look at a BEC, it will just explain so much we are trying to describe, and have a good trawl thro the photo archives.

Final drive out the the bike engine is easy to sort, most of the BEC building companies like MK and Stuart Taylor (more expensive) sell a sprocket adapter. You just take off the bike sprocket, bolt on the adapter and bolt the propshaft straight to it (via a UJ and slide adapater). You will need to get a 2 piece prop cut to size by a prop cutter.

Cradles are just a fancy term for a few bits of box steel to for a frame around the engine, then u use the engine mounting point to bolt it to the frame. No different from a car engine really, but you don't need (though some do) to use bushes, I just hard bolted mine like in a bike.

The you gotta think about a gear linkage system, again fairly simple, but best seen in the flesh to explain.

Nothing is as complex as you may think.

I think Wadders' picture sums the engine "cradle" up very nicely...

http://forum.locostbuilders.co.uk/upload/engine_from_above.jpg