New to this but not to diesel

[Ellekay]

Hi from LK in Ireland, I've been into bikes for over 30 years and have currently got a Triumph Tiger XC, fab bike and engine. I have had a Shetland 535 boat with a Yanmar D27 diesel outboard for the last 5 years and have become well aware of the advantages of diesel. I've been toying with the idea of putting a diesel motorbike together for the last couple of years and have been in and out of this site and have found it very useful but at times overwhelming. However I've now picked a doner bike up, it's a Cagiva Super City 125. There seeems to be no activity and little interest in Ireland relating to diesel bikes so I am relying on information I can pick up on the internet, this site is the best by far. If there is a beginners guide that would help me I'd be grateful if someone would post a link. Any basic info on type of engine and drive transfer gratefully received.

[Stuart]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Probably best to work out what kind of use you have in mind for the bike over what terrain. If it's just for riding locally on flat roads them maybe a single cylinder of large capacity would fit the bill (and the donor bike you have). If you're going to be doing any kind of distance over hills etc then I'd be looking for a twin for the shear pulling power. As I've written elsewhere here, I favour a 180 crank twin over the 360 as they give less vibration and are less likely to crack frames etc..

Stuart

[Ellekay]

it would only be for commuting on roads, however there are reasonable gradients so it would need to have some go. I drove an 80cc 2 stroke for 4 years with a max speed of 70mph so from what I've read I might be able to ger a similar performing larger capacity diesel. Obviously if I could get an engine & transmission package to use it would be ideal.

[Stuart]

Yes, in theory anything revving to 3800rpm will get you to just under 70mph but in reality a diesel single maybe hard pushed to achieve that. Perhaps you could fit one of those little turbos that were recently linked to from this forum? Although turbos & singles is another topic altogether