Good donor bike

[alexanderfoti]

Hi all

I am looking build a new diesel bike, around the Kubota Z482 (or Lomardini LDW442 if I can find anyone that selss it!)

Seing as I am a relative "young one" :p I dont really know what bike to use as a donor bike.

Ideally, I would use something that has the space for the engine but itsnt too big. Something like a varadero 125 frame I think would do really well ( I dont mind having to stretch the framea bit)

Something like the Tiger, but maybe smaller, preferably with a fuel gauge but thats around a lot so isnt too expensive.

Also, apart from the harley ultima box, is there any other gearboxes I can use? I suppose I could use the villiers box again as its only 14hp and should be able to handle that, but I would like something a bit more OIL tight :p

Any thoughts?

[blowindiesel]

being that it is a 2 cylinder engine.... then I would look at donar bikes that have 2cyl water cooled petrol engines or larger in the style you like (dual sport, tourer, crotch rocket, vintage-ish ....). One that is easy to get parts for beyond the engine (forks, wheels, brakes, assesories etc.

As to alternative gear boxes, look in this forum about those who have sliced off the tranny from a motocycle engine and then welded it closed with a plate and run it via chain or belt like you would an Ultima.

[Stuart]

It's just possible that Mouse, having used the Kubota engine, maybe able to offer some description of how he did his bike build as he's gonna do some work on it soon I think?

[alexanderfoti]

Ah that would be good.

I have settled on something like a Kawa ER500, there seems to be lots of them about and they seem pretty sturdy/easy to modify

[gilburton]

I'm not recommending any particular make/model as it all depends on cost and availability but if I was doing it again I would look for a cruiser type as the frame would accept pretty much anything due to the long wheelbase.
The only real consideration would be chain or shaft drive.
Having owned a rigid chop in the past I wouldn't rule out a hardtail chop either as the generally low speed combined with a fat rear tyre and sprung seat is actually a comfortable ride.
If you're going for the Kubota then the obvious answer is a complete Aixam engine/transmission(no gearbox leaks)lol
I would advise getting the engine first THEN get your bike taking into consideration the dimensions of the engine etc. That way you will save a lot of mods to the frame.

[alexanderfoti]

All good points. It depends on engine availability I suppose. I wouldn't like a CVT box though so the axiom box would be out. Bit sure of any other boxes lol.

Anything that contains its own oil would be nice

[gilburton]

I sometimes have a look for a gearbox but I have found that they are not cheap any more. Also they are generally sold without clutch and primary case so you have to source lots of smaller items making it quite an expensive exercise. I suppose this is due to the scarcity of old Brit stuff.
I would recommend the NORMOUS NEWARK AUTOJUMBLE held once a month at Newark just off the A1.
Only go if the weather is good as you can spend hours there.
Any large brit type gearbox would do. You will find BSA/Triumph clutches can be interchanged.
If space is a problem you might consider the early BSA rigid/plunger type gearboxes bolted up to the engine(similar to the villiers) otherwise anything you can get will work.

[alexanderfoti]

Thanks for the good info

So essentially any BSA/Triumph boxes of the pre-unit era should suffice. Will have a look at the autojumble, although not many good days of weather left. :p

[gilburton]

Yes any mainstream brit make will do as a lot of parts are available but get a complete box and make sure everything works.
When I say complete I mean all covers/levers/clutch mechanism etc. If you can get one with a clutch all the better. There are a few on ebay now but it depends on your budget.
If you do find a box or need other parts eg primary cases you will probably find them at Newark or on ebay.

[alexanderfoti]

Lots of good advice there many thanks.

There is no rush for me building the new bike. I still have to finish my Girlfriends Vespa project, so I will keep an eye out on ebay etc for a while

If i get stuck I might have a look at the autojumble you suggest

[pietenpol2002]

And don't rule out Tim's version of the belt drive primary - saves having to adapt an OEM primary drive and oily primary case (and we know how you feel about oily messes). Many of the Z482's were used in refrigeration applications with a pulley bolted directly to the flywheel which is what you'd be doing anyway. RE 4 speeds can be found at a reasonable price here in the states. I bought my last 2 for $50 each and they're both new. But you've got that big gap between 3rd and 4th. I paid a bit more for my 5 speeds and each had 5,000 miles on them.

https://www.dieselbikeforum.com/view ... ary#p13160

[alexanderfoti]

I was planning on doing Tim's belt drive primary on my current box, but not until its oil tight. I bought the original superdream from him so we have been discussing alternatives and he has been giving me lots of help


I dont really care about the big gap between 3rd and 4th, its annoying, but if the box is cheap I can accept that

Which boxes where those? 50$ is very good!

[pietenpol2002]

The RE boxes are both Indian built left hand shift new production as are the 5 speeds.

[alexanderfoti]

I wish we could get 30 pound RE gearboxes over here in the uk

[coachgeo]

.... RE 4 speeds can be found at a reasonable price here in the states...

Assume RE is Royal Enfield.... buttttt... one should not assume..... cause well.... just as it's spelled... Ass (of) u (and) me if one assumes wrong

[alexanderfoti]

I was assuming Royal Enfield. Maybe he means Rotary engine :p

[pietenpol2002]

RE = Royal Enfield

[Rhynri]

.... RE 4 speeds can be found at a reasonable price here in the states...

Assume RE is Royal Enfield.... buttttt... one should not assume..... cause well.... just as it's spelled... Ass (of) u (and) me if one assumes wrong

I've always felt you are making an Ass of Ume, and she already lost her parents to the Tsunami so that's just insult to injury.

[Mouse]

It's just possible that Mouse, having used the Kubota engine, maybe able to offer some description of how he did his bike build as he's gonna do some work on it soon I think?

Urm, have a good look at the photos in the build thread....
https://www.dieselbikeforum.com/view ... =31&t=2101

The z482 is a brilliant engine. Apart from that its still in production so you can get all the spares should you ever need them. Its also the smallest, most compact and lightest engine in its class making it an excellent choice for a bike conversion. The spec sheets from Kubota have the main dimensions listed so you can referr to these to see how much extra space you'll need .

[gilburton]

I see "tim" is using a superdream with kubota so might be worth following what he is doing Alex??

[alexanderfoti]

It is possible, but I don't have an affinity to the superdream as much as Tim

I have picked up a 1991 XJ600 for 400 quid.

Im going to drive it about for a bit, then swap my 400cc yan into it, then when i get some money (or find a kubota on ebay) swap that into it. Nice bike to ride around on in the meanwhile though





Should be good

[Mouse]

Sell the engine to buy a diesel one!
If it's a good runner you should be able to get top dollah on ebay as you can advertise it as having all ancillaries, coils / cdi / exhaust / airbox etc. You are also in a position to give the opportunity of seeing it running in the bike with a video and the chance to view and test etc before it is removed which will remove the doubt of someone buying a bare engine that has been sat around for years.

[alexanderfoti]

True that is a good idea.

Its a good runner at the moment. Im going to give an oil and filter change and ride it until about march time. Then I will sell my xl125 varadero and pickup a fazer 600, once I have the fazer I will chuck the engine + gearbox + airbox etc on ebay.

I will put the engine with its ancillaries etc on ebay, and maybe put the exhast + everything else on a parting auction.

Whats the best place to get the the kubota z482 apart from ebay?

I noticed I will have to put the output shaft as the same way as my 400 rather than like yours (As I will be using a chain driven villiers box.) Thinking about it now, Im going to need to find another box with a dual row chain clutch as mine is single row and probably cant take 12 odd bhp!

[alexanderfoti]

Also the Z482 doesnt have an output shaft does it, just a flywheel, I will have to make up an adapter for that as well, hmm that will be difficult I suspect.

[Mouse]

If you cant get one made then buy one, these are industrial engines so should have many accessories available. Not sure what you've got planned but there's the easier option to have the flywheel drilled so a pully can be bolted directly to it.

I find having access to equipment is the real problem and am indebted to a friend with a massive lathe. You're in london? Have you checked out the London Hack Space? They have two lathes and a mill. I've not visited but if they are like the other hack spaces I use then they will be friendly and keen to invite you in which will give you access to their equipment + skill and advice. I recommend going to a Thursday social evening there.

http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/London_Hackspace

[alexanderfoti]

Ah now that hackerspace thing is immense! That should really be helpful to help me pick up new skills! Thanks for bringing that up!.

[Rhynri]

Wonder if they have that sort of thing in my area on this side of the pond.

[Mouse]

From what I can tell it originated over there. But I could be wrong.

Checkout if one is local to you.
http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/List_of_Hacker_Spaces

[coachgeo]

Also the Z482 doesnt have an output shaft does it, just a flywheel, I will have to make up an adapter for that as well, hmm that will be difficult I suspect.

There is a thread in here on making Stubshafts. Had the same thoughts as you on it might being difficult..... till I reviewed that thread..... now.... not worried about it at all. Try search for Stubshaft....

oops I was wrong..... key word(s) was "stub shaft" with a space. Here it is

https://www.dieselbikeforum.com/view ... haft#p7023

[alexanderfoti]

Sorry, I have only just noticed your reply!

In that stubshaft thread, is the sprocket he is using going to put on the keyed shaft? Not using the sprocket he is bolting to the flywheel to drive the chain directly? Great idea though, all you need is keyed shaft, and 2 sprockets!