bike recommendation for engine swap project

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jcm55 · #1 Unread post by **jcm55** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 3:27 pm

Hi all,

I'm scheming to swap a diesel engine into a motorcycle, primarily to run on alternate fuels (biodiesel and/or veggie oil). I realize that many here will think I'm a nutcase and that this is a crazy idea -- I'm used to that

I have a motorcycle license and a '79 Vespa P200E scooter which I've ridden rather infrequently over the last 5 years. Other than that, I'm a little clueless when it comes to makes/models of motorcycles.

So I'm looking for recommendations on standard/naked bikes that would be suitable. Something inexpensive from the 80's (or even late 70's), relatively plentiful so I can find parts for it, lightweight, and with plenty of room in the frame to make mounting the diesel engine a little easier. The engine I have in mind is a Deutz F1L-208 single-cylinder diesel, about 23" tall.

This has actually been done before -- my favorite example is the "Changzuki":

http://psychicworldusa.com/Diesel_Bike/Suzuki.html

If mine is slow and spews black smoke like that one, I will be very pleased

Anyway, recommendations on bikes that would be suitable conversion candidates are greatly appreciated.

#2 Unread post by **Kal** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 4:14 pm

CX500 maybe?

Cheap enough and the engine Honda fitted it with certainly needs a lot of room.

All the other suitable candidates I can think of at the moment are collectors items.

As it happens I don't think you are a loon, its on my list of things to do - if only so that as and when petrol is unavailable I can keep riding!

#3 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 4:16 pm

Kal wrote:when petrol is unavailable I can keep riding!

Know something we don't know, Kal? Or do you pick up NPR in the UK?

jcm55 · #4 Unread post by **jcm55** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 5:40 pm

Kal wrote:CX500 maybe?

Hmm, I think a shaft drive would be somewhat harder to convert. Lots of issues to work out with interfacing the clutch/transmission. I'd been planning to use a belt-driven automatic torque converter system like this one:

http://www.hoffcocomet.com/comet/afterm ... ers.asp#44

Kind of takes care of the clutch and transmission in one step. But it would be a lot easier to use that setup on a chain-driven bike.

MASHBY · #5 Unread post by **MASHBY** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 8:50 am

Why not just import an diesel Enfield.However they were very very very slow

jcm55 · #6 Unread post by **jcm55** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:54 am

I've thought about that, but seems to be out of my price range. Besides, I'm in it for the project more than the end result

dieziege · #7 Unread post by **dieziege** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:01 am

I think it is a cool idea. Of course, I've been really fond of my VW TDI so I'm slightly biased.

KLR 650 is known to be convertable, but I don't know how much of redesign that was. The commercial diesel KLRs are supposedly going to be VERY VERY expensive initially (as in collector's editions at $16K a pop).

My advice: Start with the engine, not the bike. Find a decent engine you can afford and weighs less than 400lbs, then find a bike that will fit it.

E.g. Get a Robin air cooled diesel engine (they are about 4.5HP) and put it into a minibike-type frame or your vespa.

jcm55 · #8 Unread post by **jcm55** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:34 am

I've actually got an engine in mind already. A Deutz F1L-208 single-cylinder, air-cooled engine. Produces about 10 HP and weights approx 150 lbs. My primary concern is that it's 23" tall, so I need to find a bike that has enough room between the tank and the bottom frame rails. I guess I can just go out to a motorcycle junkyard with a tape measure and start measuring things. But I was hoping for some recommendations here on specific models with lots of room in the frame so I have some models to keep an eye out for when I'm trolling the classifieds.

dieziege · #9 Unread post by **dieziege** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:48 am

Ahh.. yeah, I missed that part. 23"?

Yeah, I think a tape measure is your friend....

Personally, I'd start by looking at some of the larger enduro type bikes, especially those without a frame below the engine. That way you could build your own engine cage frame without having to hack up the structure. That suzuki you posted somewhat scares me because it looks like the guy cut out parts of the structural frame and replaced them with painted water pipe with thread-on elbows.

I did have a good laugh at his solar van (in the background of some of the pictures)...

#10 Unread post by **Kal** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:51 pm

ZooTech wrote:Know something we don't know, Kal? Or do you pick up NPR in the UK?

One of the first things I learned when I moved out of my folks place to follow the money. Oil is a non-renewable resource and we are running short of the supplies that are inexpensive to get to.

Even if oil production dosnt stop in the near future I have every reason to believe most of us will be priced off the roads in our lifetimes.

What's NPR?