Hello from New Zealand #2

[stephen]

Hey Guys,

I've been a Diesel fan for quite a while now, I have a Toyota Starlet 1.5L Diesel (1N Engine) and have been trying to get that running on SVO for years but I think I'm gonna drop that project now and just run on Bio-diesel as there a place down the road that sells it anyway, I've been running predominantly on B100 for a few years now.

Lately I've been going through a mid life motorcycle crisis, realised I never really gave up on bikes after all, was just lying to myself!

Im going to pay a visit to the Royal Enfield shop over the next couple of weeks, the guy there has an enfield with a diesel motor thats not running, said he would kindly try and convince me out of pursuing such a fool hardy project.. might be for the best!

anyway I was wondering if any of you have looked at the Lombardini 25LD 424?

http://www.lombardinigroup.it/en_US/lom ... 5-ld-425-2

Its just that I've been reading thru the posts (when I should be studying..) Ive seen the 416cc - 435cc, they look good but I weigh 100kg and have some very steep hills around where I live.

then there's the V-Twin's, I'm sure they'd have enough HP but it seems like some modification has to be done the the frame to fit it.

The Enfield isnt the only donor frame of course and Im on a tight budget so even a japa frame converted to a Cafe Racer would do.

I guess my main question on this post is about the engine though, 20hp give or take would be good, is the Lombardini 25LD better with variable speeds? and perhaps wouldn't shudder and shake as much?

It looks relatively new, and expensive so perhaps no ones had a chance to use it yet.

good to be on the forum though, Im hooked on Diesel bikes, would love a Smart Tiger or an Altius Scimitar!


Cheers

Stephen

[Stuart]

Hi Stephen and welcome to the forum

[XLerate]

Hi Stephen & welcome to the forum!

My main suggestion is to study up on the build threads and see what kind of performance people have gotten on real world machines. Once you see the relationships between displacement & power/top speed potential you can better judge your build's future performance.

I couldn't live with putting all the work into a complicated conversion only to find out it's generally useless for intended purpose! I started out thinking I'd be good with maybe 25-30 hp diesel but now convinced I need over 1 liter and nearer 50 hp minimum, preferably even 75-100 hp & 1.5L to 2.0L ! That $ets me back but in the long run it's the only right way for me.

To each his own & most important: have fun!

[stephen]

Thanks guys, I was having a squiz on the Net for the Smart engine, Lupo, Daihatsu or any small diesel car engine, also contacted an engine importer who said it was "literally impossible" to get hold of these motors down under, or even find them overseas I'm guessing, but that would be the dream to have that horse power.

So I've been trying to figure out what kind of motor would fit into a Honda CB 750 (71 to 76 I think) frame, Im really hooked on these bikes now as they can be converted into really cool looking Cafe Racers, see attached for example. they have nice looking shiny motors too so it would be hard to find a Diesel to do it justice, I admit aesthetics are important to me too...

So maybe a V-Twin motor might fit into the frame, it might look ok with "bare metal" exposed as the CB could have a lot of Chrome and polished aluminium anyway. I like the look of the inline 2 Cylinders tho! (Lombardini, Ruggerini, Kohler, Hatz) but I'm thinking maybe they wont fit at around 200lbs in weight!

Wouldn't it make life easier if we could get CAD images of a donor bike and Diesel engine, could save some much time and money, and heartache!

Thanks for having the patience for a newbie

[XLerate]

You could stick a Rolls Royce Merlin in there if you have a MIG & some tubing laying around.

Check out build threads in this forum. Also check the info on the main page here: http://www.dieselbike.net/

Allow clearance behind engine for your trans after you decide what you'll use. The more gears the better with diesels! Some chassis lengthening might be necessary for your build.

[pietenpol2002]

Good choice on the 750 as a donor (assuming you have enough horse to pull it). It's easily adapted and easily stretched if needed. If it's the V-twin you like, I might think about importing the Winsun twin, turning it north/south, bolting it to a BMW/Ural/Dnepr/Guzzi trans, then couple it to a 750/900 shaftie final drive. And you'd end up with a very fine Guzzi effect.

Of course I'm ignoring the fact that you said you're on a tight budget. And probably hope to get it done in this lifetime. One can always dream. BTW, the Daihatsu is readily available in NZ.

[stephen]

Ooh! that's an awesome idea! Im sold, so glad I'm on this forum. will look into that.

[stephen]

I hate to veer away from the CB donor bike, but how about a Honda CX/GL400/500 would that simplify the transplant process I wonder. I couldn't find any photos of the gearbox ?clutch? ?bell housing? so I don't know if its all designed to line straight up with the motor, I think most are though..?

I think the bell housing is much larger on the CX/GL for mating to the V-twin but I guess it could be modified.. I'm starting to realize anythings possible with what you guys are achieving on this forum.

one slight down side is that the v-twin exhaust/inlets are facing the other way around, again... I wonder if that could be changed...

I could see myself on a Cafe'd GL/CX I think theyre easier to obtain and cheaper than a CB too.

Not sure how the Engine would be mounted to the frame though, I think on the GL/CX the frame bolts to the front of the engine and it "hangs". I don't know if there are any available attachments on the northern air cooled aspect of the vtwin punsun/winsun.

[coachgeo]

don't worry about the gear box.

Go with a CVT to an intermediat shaft that you mount the shaft drive too. Might save you some in overall space needed from front to rear. Same way done on the TRACK bike. If you want sprockets to give you flexibility to change fixed ratio's; have two intermediat shafts with sprockets and a chain between. CVT runs to one of them and chain to the other that spins the shaft drive. You can then install different sprockets to give you some adjustablity in final ratio.

[stephen]

Ah I get yu, great thanks for that I as lost a bit of inspiration when I realized the CX500 gearbox and clutch is all part of the engine... for a moment there I was thinking "plug and play" if that's the case then I guess I could go back to using a CB Frame or maybe still the CX depending on whats available (nothing really atm)

I'm a bit of a novice with bike mechanics, I can maintain and service it, change rolling chassis parts, swap engines in and out, some basic wiring, that's about it. So I think the easier the conversion the better for me but I've got to have at least 20HP give or take! (or was it kilowatts..) those bikes aren't light and neither am I and the hilly terrain. I'm flexible on the donor bike TBH,but a Cafe look or an Enfield would be ideal. oh and a seriously tight budget... It would be great to get it up and going and commuting as the last WVO Car project dragged on and on for years and never worked.

I will have a look at the TRACK 800 CVT setup

Thanks Guys!

[XLerate]

Quoting from a rather famous Book, "Does any man go to war without first counting the cost?"

My project is sitting parked, virtually untouched, without my turning a wrench yet. Nothing's going to happen at all until the parts are all purchased and all materials are ready to go. I have no intention of spending a few months to build a large paperweight that ends up as a heartbreak or insult to my grand plans. If it happens, GOOD! If not, then nothing lost...

[stephen]

Nice one

Well I think I'm over my initial 5 weeks of excitement about a Diesel Bike now.. (i'm only moderately excited) I'll just save some searches for rolling chassis etc on the local buy and sell website and continue reading thru your knowledgeable threads

THANK YOU

[XLerate]

That may have read as a discouragement but actually it wasn't. Quoting from another famous source, a good man, 'Never, never, NEVER GIVE UP!'

It's almost ridiculous for me to even consider building a diesel bike, especially the extremely complicated project mine will be. Still, if I can manipulate or change those things that are obstacles it's all green lights! So the business at hand for me right now is to do everything I can in many different ways to make it possible. With dogged determination & steadfast perserverance?????

I would suppose the same applies to your project and several others here. So once you do get it built, hey, enjoy the ride!

[pietenpol2002]

I successfully resisted the temptation for some days now, but I can't take it anymore. You asked the question, and no one has answered thus far. So here goes.

"Does any man go to war without first counting the cost?"

If the actions of a certain US president of recent history is any indication, the obvious answer is - yes.

[XLerate]

Ahh, well said good sir! Easy to be a conscienceless big spender when it's other people's money & lives....

[Sphere]

I successfully resisted the temptation for some days now, but I can't take it anymore. You asked the question, and no one has answered thus far. So here goes.

"Does any man go to war without first counting the cost?"

If the actions of a certain US president of recent history is any indication, the obvious answer is - yes.

What's worse, it runs in his family...

[BHNZ]

Hi Steven - nice to see another diesel bike nutter! Where abouts are you in the land of the long white cloud? I am in Matamata, there is another builder in Cambridge. I for one would be happy to share my experiences and observations on the gentle art of diesel motorcycle building and riding. I recently acquired a 22 hp Punsun V2 diesel from a chap in Tauranga, he may have a couple left. They are a popular motor for diesel bikes - see the website "dieselbike.net". If you want more information or a contact number, call me on 07 888 6054. Cheers, Brian H.

[Anorak_ian]

Hi welcome to the forum etc, reading what you have said here I just have to put my two pennies worth in.
I don't think it's a good idea to use a Chinese vee twin engine.
There have been a few people that have had bad problems with them, crank cases cracking up etc. Having said that some bikes seem to live longer than others.
However, I remember using Chinese bearings on a washing machine; they only lasted a few months at best.
My advice, go for an alloy diesel outboard engine if you can, one was mentioned on this forum lately (can't remember where though).
If you decide to use the Chinese engine, then may I surgest a Norton Commando or Harley Davidson Sportster (2003 on I think), as they both have rubber mounted engines in those frames, and room for proper gearbox. Both of these bikes look damn good in cafe racer fettle.
Good looks that would be ruined by a cvt. There’s no kick start on cvt's, and ya can't bump start them ether.
I know your on a budget, aren’t we all, but here in the UK we can pick up a sportster frame without logbook for £100. Lob jap bike parts on it and hey presto.
But really, choose an engine with some balls; I've seen people go from singles, to twins, and then big engines with a turbo. May as well start where ya want to end up.

All the best
Ian

[stephen]

Thanks again guys!

Brian I'm in Auckland, was in Tauranga up until a year ago tho. things have changed again and I'm student now so my budget is 10 fold tighter.. but all the same I need a project to keep me sane!

so onto the next pipe dream project.. these bikes already do 80 to 100MPG so very fuel efficient, but why do something that's already been done..
motopeds.com apparently they're good little motors with automatic transmissions.

my question is, would there be a diesel motor small enough to fit in one of these!? problem is aren't diesel motors usually bigger and heavier..?

I think ive answered me own question here actually, I cant think of any diesel motor that would compare to these..

anyway I'll put it out there

[coachgeo]

...

That thing is sweet