Finally :)

[IgorVigor]

I have finally got an engine for a diesel bike/trike build

Its a bit bigger that what I originally was thinking about though :S
I was hoping for something in the 10~25hp range with 1 or 2 cylinders...

Instead (through an unfortunate turn of events) I have got an engine..

Its a Ford 1.8 Endura Diesel with van 5 speed fwd gearbox, producing 60hp...

I'm not sure what I am going to build with it yet though...

I am thinking a trike with 2 front wheels might be a good idea...
As much as I would like to build a bike with it, I'm not sure the best way to get the power to the back wheel...
Welding the diff is an option, but I would need a shafty bike as a donor...

So has anyone got any thoughts/ideas/comments?

[IgorVigor]

I must admit, I do like the old morgan style reverse trikes...


http://cycle-car.com/

If you want something of that style, there is the Lomax kit car...

Based on the little old Citroen 2CV...

Not sure if many (any?) got to the states :S

EDIT:
Still want a diesel bike tbh...

my current idea, as to making it fit, is to chop a bike transmission off a donor bike, and then mount the ford diesel transversely into the frame.
Then use a primary drive chain to the gearbox... All I would have to do, is to remember I need a roughly 2:1 ratio from the engine to the gearbox (so 4500rpm at the engine is 9000rpm at the gearbox)
Or else the bike will struggle to do 60mph

Just need to get the engine out of the van now...
Then I can have a proper look at the crank/clutch assembly...

[coachgeo]

IMHO with that big of an engine you might want to go CVT to reduce overall space compared to your present plan.

[IgorVigor]

Thing is, is I wanted a chain final drive (reason being, I have a bike that would be modifiable for this purpose, and I haven't got the money to buy a different bike)

I do see what you mean though...

The logical answer is to use the engine (and possibly gearbox) for another project of mine, and wait until I can get a smaller diesel for a bike
the problem though, is I like mad projects Still toying with the idea of a custom built turboshaft engine running on diesel for the bike
Would that still qualify as a diesel bike on this forum?