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What diesel engine....
Simon - 17/9/10 at 08:15 PM

... for a motorbike.

OK, I was quite keen to get an electric golf cart o the road, then I heard about charging an electric vehicle up (can't remember which) was like having the kettle on for 27 hours. Yeah right.

So it's back to the possible diesel bike project.

Three possible, but slight variations to the same end.

First is buy an old 125, remove engine and stick in a cheap chinese 4 stroke diesel of 7 or so hp. Quick easy and cheap.

Second, get something like and Enfield India, stiffen frame and chuck in something like a Peugeot 106 1.5 n/a diesel. Again fairly straightforward, but slightly more expensive.

Final option would be, buy something like a K100 bmw, bin the engine and chuck in something along the lines of the 1.4 Ford/Mazda tdci//peueot/citroen 1.4 hdi, which could be tweaked to produce 70+ bhp, and a stack of torque. Fairly straightforward, though may have to pay someone for some engineering. Will have to modify frame.

So, what other engine options can you think of for the last two suggestions.

Cheers

ATB

Simon

Benzine - 17/9/10 at 08:22 PM

I love diesel bikes I'd go with the clone generator option

dinosaurjuice - 17/9/10 at 08:22 PM

vw 1.4 tdi only has 3 cylinders and has fairly sinple wiring. my choice would be 1.4 hdi from a C3 - 90hp.

l0rd - 17/9/10 at 08:28 PM

go for a v8 diesel engine

You know you want it

Simon - 17/9/10 at 09:03 PM

I like the idea of the V8 diesel, but, and they are fairly big buts - either a modern Jag/RR costs a packet of an old GM V8, weighs, well, it'd put a Pinto to shame

I thought about the 3 cyl VW lump, but have yet to find one anywhere.

Another option from the diesel bike forum is the 800cdi from a smart car, but again, I'm thinking price. All have budgets, I'm afraid, and the last on the list would need tightest control

Suppose I could scratcbuild - anyone passed a motorcycle/iva ?

ATB

Simon

[Edited on 17/9/10 by Simon]

whitestu - 17/9/10 at 09:07 PM

Why?? A small bike needs a small 4 stroke petrol engine that revs its balls off, or a nice smelly 2 stroke.

Stu

MikeRJ - 17/9/10 at 09:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by whitestu
Why?? A small bike needs a small 4 stroke petrol engine that revs its balls off, or a nice smelly 2 stroke.


Agreed, as daft as a diesel '7'.

If you want economy (and I can see no other reason for a diesel) then traditional bikes are not the ideal starting point since they have terrible aerodynamics.

Simon - 17/9/10 at 09:13 PM

quote:
Originally posted by whitestu
Why?? Stu


For the same reason that we are all on this very forum.

Because I can

ATB

Simon

franky - 17/9/10 at 09:20 PM

None at all the sudden torque curve, weight of the engine, lack of revs...... why on earth!? I think there is a derv bike and some French company made one to try the Paris-dakar and decided it wasn't worth it as petrol bikes can do mega MPG without all the above problems.

snapper - 17/9/10 at 09:33 PM

TheMOD are using diesel bikes, reliable, powerful, one fuel in the combat arena.
Diesel in a 7? Audi won LeMans with a Diesel, Seat won BTCC in a Diesel.
I like this forum for it's "Because I can" attitude.
Go for it mate, there are novae ideas, just bad executions of said ideas

dlatch - 17/9/10 at 09:45 PM

would not enjoy the power delivery of a diesel on a bike myself

but good luck with the project

dilley - 17/9/10 at 09:46 PM

what about the gearbox?

l0rd - 17/9/10 at 10:04 PM

quote:
Originally posted by dilley
what about the gearbox?


straight from the crankshaft

BenB - 17/9/10 at 11:02 PM

quote:
Originally posted by snapper
TheMOD are using diesel bikes, reliable, powerful, one fuel in the combat arena.
Diesel in a 7? Audi won LeMans with a Diesel, Seat won BTCC in a Diesel.
I like this forum for it's "Because I can" attitude.
Go for it mate, there are novae ideas, just bad executions of said ideas


It's true Seat won with a diesel but it was far from a level playing field!!! They were in a different class!

Simon - 17/9/10 at 11:32 PM

quote:
Originally posted by franky
None at all the sudden torque curve, weight of the engine, lack of revs...... why on earth!? I think there is a derv bike and some French company made one to try the Paris-dakar and decided it wasn't worth it as petrol bikes can do mega MPG without all the above problems.


So an electric bike with 100% torque at no revs wouldn't work then!

There are dozens of diesel bikes - look on the net, so it can't be that pointless.

My 'busa did 72mpg at 40 mph. One of the bike mags thrashed an R1 from a standing start - it managed 18mpg for 18 minutes (and did 54 miles, at 180 mph). Big deal, been there, done that and now I'm not aiming to break records. I had a 'busa for 5 years and don't feel the need to go down that route again (despite the fun).

Torque can moderated through a) the throttle, b) taller gearing.

Taller gearing means that instead of doing 10000rpm and changing up, you do it at 4500 etc etc. This also deals with your lack of revs issue (remember, my toy car uses a V8, so I'm rather fond of a lack of revs, they just irritate people).

Weight of engine, well, if I go for plan c) and dismantle a K series bmw, what'll the weight penalty over it's engine with say a 1.4 hdi lump be. 20 - 30 kgs. Cool, I could lose that on a diet!

For a gearbox, if I go bubget route you can modify a 2 stroke's gearbox, mid range, similar idea, but use an old british box or something like an Ultima box (used to modernise Harley's), and for the bmw, well, it has a car like box so an adaptor etc is all that's required. bm route most difficullt to change gearing as it's shaft drive

Anyway, like the original post was about, any more engine suggestions?

Cheers

ATB

Simon

[Edited on 17/9/10 by Simon]

Benzine - 18/9/10 at 08:00 AM

2 cylinder diesel from an Aixam?

Surrey Dave - 18/9/10 at 09:54 AM

quote:

Agreed, as daft as a diesel '7'.


I think a modern little turbo diesel would be fab in a 7, I often think about the Citroen 1.4 hdi.

NS Dev - 18/9/10 at 09:56 AM

haven't read all the posts, but Ruggerini make some nice small diesels, not powerful but dead reliable and air cooled. Look for them in generator welder sets

[Edited on 18/9/10 by NS Dev]

NS Dev - 18/9/10 at 09:58 AM

here ya go, £150 on ebay ruggerini engine

19hp twin pot