I know, I spend much time thinking. I just got off the phone with a fellow Diesel Motorcyclist looking for more than 10hp but lacking funds for a Diesel twin, even $1,500 for a China clone V-twin.
I've had this idea for awhile toying with a twin engine Diesel bike with my matching pair of Ducatis. Everyone is thinking they are stuck with a 10hp China clone but you want more HP and don't have the big bucks for a twin.
Might I sugest stacking multiple engines to build the HP requirment you need. Example: 2X6hp=12hp, 10hp+4hp=14hp and so on. Up side is if you don't need the extra HP, drop one engine off line if you set up a clutch, or just run one direct drive and with the other running a centrifical clutch.
Funny you should mention that. Chris (Balboa) and I were talking it over maybe a year ago. Seems like a good way to get some real useable hp on the cheap. I thought about "clutching" the two together so as to be able to run on one only... And also about bolting two sprockets as tight as possible to the cases, and running the clutch/convertor on the rear only...
If you chained them directly together, it would be fairlyeasy to time them 360 degrees apart. so as to get a power stroke one each revolution. Out to make things consdierably smoother that way.
And they wouldn't necessariy need to be two matched engines, either. You could run say a 10 and a 6 hp.
Out here in the desert, many times (always) the railroad lashes up 2 or more locomotives, always one extra. If one fails, they have enough power to get the train to the next depot. Many power plants have several generators and bring them online, or off as power is needed, no reason we can’t do the same.
I like the double sprocket on the rear engine idea, but I'd put a centrifugal clutch on the front engine, if not both, let the engines run independently.
“Face piles and piles of trials with smiles. It riles them to believe that you perceive the web they weave, and keep on thinking free. "Moody Blues"
Railroads have to do this, for obvious reasons, including slowing down. Problem with multi engine for everday use (for motorcycles and autos) is a loss of heat (wasted energy), and having both engines run at equal power levels under demand. Perhaps one could monitor exhaust temps and keep both at the same level, but I think some sort of computer control would be necessary for any kind of benefit. Diesel locomotives have become more efficent due to computer control which eliminates the Engineers manual control of wheel slipage which is needed to maintain maximum power to the rails (yes, locomotives can spin the wheels to the point where the track melts underneath). While controlling slippage, regenerative braking can also be controlled and excessive heat bled off into cooling systems.
Also, most bike frames do not offer the room needed for dual engines; just my $.02.
Cris
1980 GS850 converted to 10hp diesel clone power.
2006 Jetta TDI for road work.
2007 Bonneville
may have to mount some pickups to make it work, but you could get the engines in exact sync then use a dual carb type adjustable cable or a single cable with some kinda adjustable linkage between the engines throttles
I thought people where looking for a good practical alternative to a petrol bike, I know bike's like the one above may be for a bit of fun etc, but yuck!
There's nothing like strapping a tent and sleeping bag on the sissy bar, throwing a pair of panniers over the Harley and setting off across Europe. I'm hoping that the diesel bike when finished will be a good enough replacement for it.
It seems odd to me that I'm thinking Neander and others are thinking lawnmower. Ho hum.
However I do like the Mk12 atomizing ray gun under the table, I've been looking for one of those for the front of my Vauxhall Nova.
Hey Gump, a Synchronizer is not needed, any multiple engine lash up can be made. Big or small engine, gas, diesel, electric, or steam, or combination of any of above. Think of a tug-of-war, several people, animals, or vehicles of different sizes can all pull the same rope.
A B-36 has 4 turbine engines and 6 piston engines, and the only Synchronizers might have been the C.S.D.'s (constant speed drives) used on the generators on each engine for electical power. http://tinyurl.com/3acbp7
A Synchronizer helps if you are needing the engines to run exactly the same rpm as in a boat w/seperate propellers (steering) or generators keeping them In-sync (cycles-per-sec.)
“Face piles and piles of trials with smiles. It riles them to believe that you perceive the web they weave, and keep on thinking free. "Moody Blues"
I was simply pointing out that using multiple engines has been tried elsewhere and could be a viable answer. Nevermind the origination of the engine or the vehicle that they have been placed into.
