Howdy all, Kubota ZB600

dirt_farmer · Post by **dirt_farmer** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 12:08 pm

New here, I've been catching up reading old posts for a few months now but finally joined. Yesterday I traded around some stuff and ended up with a Kubota ZB600, sorry no pics yet. Its a 570cc twin 12.5 hp with 3200rpm, water cooled with integral radiator and fan. I'd guess weight to be around 200 lbs

Has any one used this engine before? and is it a good canidate?

I'm riding a KZ 440 twin right now that I think it could fit in. So I'm kind of looking for a 650-750cc bike frame to put it in and give it a dirt tracker look. Any comments?

It would be used for general local crusing, and checking crops (riding on solid dry dirt) so I need it to go 65mph but also low enough speed to ride some rough offroad with out tearing it up.

Thanks for looking, Jeff

roverthetop · Post by **roverthetop** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 2:04 pm

welcome to the forum! not sure i know the engine, so no help there. this is the place, though. good luck and keep us posted.

dirt_farmer · Post by **dirt_farmer** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 5:35 pm

There is some info and a picture half way down the page

http://www.kcpp.com/kubota.htm

Thanks for the welcome

Post by **Fiddler** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:23 pm

Welcome to the forum mate.
Sorry no experience with your engine but heres some general thoughts.
I think you are going to have some transmission issues with a target top speed of 65mph and some off road capability.
65mph is right on the limit of what the hp will achieve anyway also with only 3200rpm to play with, it will have to be geared quite tall. Which is exactly what you dont want off road.
I'd be tempted to gear it for lower top speed and have a more useable machine getting there.
I love duel-purpose machines, looking forward to how this build progresses.

Cheers, Mark

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:40 pm

Checkout the page below and you'll see a bike using the ZB600 engine. I've seen it at the German Rally several times. I'll try and dig out some more detailed pictures and send them to your email.
This particular bike was built in a Laverda frame. Hope that helps

http://www.dieselbike.net/kubota.htm

Ok, I've sent a bunch of pictures. Should give you some idea of how to fit it in.

dirt_farmer · Post by **dirt_farmer** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 2:30 am

Thanks for the welcome and comments guys.

Mark, I hope to go with a harley transmission or somthing like it. If I go with a CVT drive i'll look into a hi low atv tranmission so I can get some slow speed power off road. Also I should say I want a comfortable 55mph with a little left for passing ect. I may be hoping for more than this little engine can do? But with the little $ I have in the engine I won't be to afraid to tighten the governor springs a little or mount up a small turbo.

Stuart, thanks for the link. Any more info or pictures of that bike you can get would be great. The bike looks very close to an early 80's Suzuki style.
in edit I should have checked my email first. Thank you very much for the pictures Stuart and any more you take at the rally.

Thanks again, Jeff

Post by **Stuart** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:20 am

Ok, Jeff, no problem. I headed for the trailor on which I saw the maker of that Kubota had brought his bikes. Unfortunately he didn't bring it this time and showed up with another so sorry, I couldn't get anymore pictures