Engine Suppliers in US/Quality

[bearhawk]

I'm looking at suppliers in the US for the air cooled V-twin and single cylinder diesel engines. At this time, November of 2010, I only find a few suppliers. They are:
a1biofuel.net both single and vtwin Punsen/Winsun (and they are on this forum) in TN

Carroll Stream in Oxford, MI both singles and a 20hp v-twin all of unknown brands

A guy in GA selling Launtop single cyl 10hp air cooled on ebay.

Surplus Center has Torq, Hatz, Lombardini singles, and Yanmar, and Kubota multi-cylinder water cooled models.

Are these the only ones? It seems there should be more but they are all I find.

Any longevity difference between Launtop, Punsen/Winsun, Torq and Carroll Stream? It really sounds like quality, even in the same brand, varies immensely from one to the next.

Are there any others? I emailed the a1biofuel guys and they seemed knowledgeable. I hope to stop in at Carroll Stream in the next couple of weeks. I have to be near there for work so I thought I'd stop in and see if I can chat with someone.

Did I miss any other good sources?

[pietenpol2002]

Welcome Jeff. You've come to the right place for all things diesel bike. Another supplier I'm aware of is in Kentucky and has an unbeatable price on the 10 HP DEK (if he indeed stocks them). I've not had any contact with him, but his address is below.

http://www.concreteliftingusa.com/DEK.HTML

Or if you want to travel a bit (Iowa) and don't mind converting the Yanmar V-twin from vertical to horizontal, there's this one for a very good price, given that it's only a fraction of the original Yanmar price. It's water cooled but a very robust engine. Others on here report that tipping these engines up to horizontal is not that difficult.

http://waterloo.craigslist.org/grd/2021152640.html

Stuart posted a reference to this engine here.

https://www.dieselbikeforum.com/view ... f=21&t=207

And BTW, since we're in fairly close proximity, we might want to think about hosting the "First Ever US Diesel Bike Rally"

[bearhawk]

Hi Ron,
Thanks for the welcome. I was in Goshen a few weeks back and my wife and I enjoyed lunch at the South Side Soda Shop/Diner. We then had dessert in the way of chocolate at the Olympia Candy store. Nice town there, we enjoyed walking around downtown and going into the many shops.

I appreciate the info too. I did contact the concreteliftingusa folks via email a couple of weeks ago and they said they are sold out and they aren't going to get anymore to sell. Not sure if the quality wasn't there or the headache of importing was too great, or something else? Probably a combination of reasons.

I was thinking last night to check a few commercial lawnmower shops to find a take-off engine that needs major repair/rebuild. If I could get it cheap enough to make it worth it. I'm thinking of the Briggs 3LC Turbo Diesel. It's not a sleeved engine but it is cast iron and able to bore over.

That Yanmar twin sounds OK but it's a bit light in horsepower even compared with the Punsun/Winsuns. I would think it would be more durable than the Pun/Wins though (case cracking/crank breakages mentioned in the forums, however those may be fixed with design changes by now). Would 18hp be enough to go 70-75mph on the flat? I know I probably need my head examined, BUT my diesel bike creation is meant to replace my BMW K100LT. What am I thinking? Must be diesel bike disease.

Where do you want to do the diesel bike rally? It sounds like fun, especially for the first US diesel rally. You're not too far from the I80-90 turnpike, and with all the beautiful Amish farms in your area that could be nice for some day rides. I'd be willing to help get something together. It sounds like fun. The Shipshewana campground probably wouldn't be too keen on a rally but I'd think there are some in the area that would be open to that. I'm located between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids and could look for something around here.

Jeff

[pietenpol2002]

There's little doubt most of us on here need our heads examined, for any number of reasons. And indeed, Goshen is a nice little town. I live west of town but my shop is actually fairly close to the Southside Soda Shop.

The 3 cyl Briggs would certainly be a great engine and would supply the kind of power you'd need to achieve the speeds you desire. A Kubota or Yanmar of similar power and size are more readily available and can often be found for much less money. But, even if a bit pricey, the Briggs/Daihatsu is great engine.

And perhaps I'll shift this rally talk over to the Events and Rideouts category for a more thorough discussion of a US meet.

[Sphere]

You should start a sekrit movement that tricks 15-yo into joyriding new Subaru boxer diesels so we can obtain the engines from the salvage yard...

Also, another mention of converting the vertical Yanmar, but I don't know of anyone that has actually done it. Although Byrdman says it can be done, and is apparently knowledgable about Yanmars because of his (former) profession.

[TedV]

You should start a sekrit movement that tricks 15-yo into joyriding new Subaru boxer diesels so we can obtain the engines from the salvage yard...

for those of us on the "not so friendly towards diesel" side of the pond, we first need to get Subaru to bring the diesel boxer to the US... Our best option for a Smart diesel engine is find one in Canada and sneak it across the border. VW 1.6, Briggs/diahatsu or Lombordini/Kohler are our best bet at a quality motor. I can't bring myself to buy a yanclone chinese twin.

My 07 F650GS Dakar sounds like a diesel... does that count? I'm getting up to 60mpg while a friend is getting 70+ mpg (US) on hers.

[Sphere]

I guess you and her need to compare wrists

But I wouldn't sniff at a VW1.6 if I could turn it into a powerplant for a dieselross. Very nice motorcycle, maybe the sequel is even better.

[zarquon]

Also, another mention of converting the vertical Yanmar, but I don't know of anyone that has actually done it. Although Byrdman says it can be done, and is apparently knowledgable about Yanmars because of his (former) profession.

It has been done.
http://classic.dieselkrad.info/dieselmo ... field.html

[Sphere]

Would be nice to contact him and inquire what requires altering. I come across more vertical Yanmars than decently priced Kipors.