New guy needs help!

[MNBill]

Hello to all!

I would like to start with a thank you to all who run and contribute to this forum. I am a long time viewer and first time poster. I find all of the information (both forum and website) very interesting. I have been on motorcycles (off and on) since I was a kid building mini-bikes with junk from the local trash day. I am now on a tight budget and have a great desire for a Diesel powered motorcycle. I need your help!

I am looking into building a Diesel powered bike for my next project. I have posted on the Bike Builders Forum and had the opportunity to meet LocomotiveBreath (Dave) from California during that thread. He offered some interesting information on the CVT type of transmission and his project. I am still somewhat undecided on my direction and am looking for some input from those who know other types of bikes as well. Prior to posting on the thread Dave had going on the “BBF” I was thinking of a BMW conversion. Dave now has me thinking in many directions.

I would like to know more about the BMW conversions. Specifically, units that have used a 3 cylinder liquid cooled industrial diesel for a power plant. I’m looking for the following information.

• What year and model of BMW’s make the best donor bikes for the project and why?
• If I choose the BMW conversion, does any one have the contact information for the guy in Germany with the overdrive gear sets? If so, can you please provide it to me?

• I am looking for any and all info on this type of conversion. If you have details and/or photos, would you be willing to share them with me?

Thank you for your time!

Best regards,

Bill

(In frozen Minnesota – USA)

[LocomotiveBreath]

Hey Bill, Dave here in CA, just got home from a 75 mile ride, had to burn up a couple (3) of quarts of Diesel/cornoil blend. I also had to have a pitcher of beer at a watering hole out in the desert.

We are here to help.

Dave

[andrewaust]

Hi Bill


Thanks for the post mate, I could see Dave being a big help if you live some what close to each other. Sometimes the bike you build might have to conform to road regulations etc, so do your homework, and don't be ashamed to ask a lot of questions; it'll all pay off in the end.

BMW's seem a good mount Bill; I've only got a one lunger Enfield, but would like to convert a BMW myself one day.

Hopefully someone will have the details to point you in the right direction regarding the overdrive gears.


Cheers


Andrew

[Stuart]

Hi Bill,
and welcome to the forum
I think Avery might be your man here but I seem to remember talk of an old guy in Germany who was into this (BMW gear thing) but not sure if he's still doing it. It may have been mentioned in relation to a question regarding VW based motorcycles. Does anyone else remember that from the old yahoo forum?
Found this link to VW bikes which might possibly be a lead.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/vwmotorcycles/

[MNBill]

Hi guys!

Thank you for the replies! I will look forward to reading this thread as it grows (I hope).

I'm looking for as many details about building a diesel motorcycle as I can get. BMW is the main quest. I would also be interested in any other conversions that can be done in a garage at home while still using the 3 cylinder liquid cooled industrial diesel. I think I can locate this type of engine fairly easy, that's why I'm trying to stick to it.

Here in Minnesota I think all I have to worry about is a clear title on the donar bike. They do not need to know what I'm up to with regards to the modifications. The only issues I'm aware about are when you start a custom bike from scratch (build it from new parts). These "Custom" bikes have to be titled by the state and have higher insurance rates. That is why I want to start with a donar bike that was made by a motorcycle company. It will have a clear title and they will not know of my little gem in the making.

Thank you for your time!

Best regards,

Bill

[Anorak_ian]

Hi Bill, my next project will be a bmw 6 speed with overdrive etc rigged out for touring and dirt work using a vw or smart engine. I'd like to see / hear how you progress, and I hope you stay on this forum and chat through your build.
I know nothing at all about bmw's or the vw or smart engines, so I will be very interested as to how you progress.


Cheers
Ian

[oilburner]

Hi Bill, Avery here. My PC suffered a catastrophic failure several days ago - I lost my disk drives. I think (hope) it's the disk controller. I just got back up without any disk drives (using only the CD-ROM and a USB key) until I get a chance to pick up another PC. You can't do this with Windows, I'm using a version of Linux called Mandrake Move.

I'll post info about preferable makes/models/years of BMWs suitable for conversion, etc. tomorrow.

Avery

[balboa_71]

Avery,
Sorry to hear about your HD failure. Using live Linux, you maybe able to pull
files from your HD and store them on your pen drive. Were you using XP? Maybe your MBR is corruped? One problem with XP is when you change motherboards, your system will reqire new authorization from Microsoft

good luck,
Cris

[oilburner]

The HD failure is not a big deal, as long as the data is still intact. Since I run Linux, all I have to do is install the drives on the new PC and update the operating system with the new hardware. No licences or application reinstalls.

Anyway, Bill, I hope the BMW info is of some use to you.

I forgot to mention airhead swingarms. There are two lengths. The 1970 - 1973 is the short one, the rest are 2 1/2 inches longer. I recommend using the short one, I managed to keep my wheelbase to a bit over 61 inches, the same as a GL1000 Goldwing or an Indian Four. BTW the dry weight of my bike will be under 500 lbs.

Also forgot to mention that the overall ratio of the K series gearboxes is 1.45:1 similar to all others..

I hope to pick up the new PC on Monday and will post a bunch of pictures of the frame, bellhousing, modified BMW gearbox etc.

Avery