Hello to all. I just bought two diesel engines and thought about using one for a motorcycle conversion. While looking on the web, I found this great site.
Now for my question(s). The first engine is a Lister-Petter AC1 rated at 6.5hp at 3600 rpm. It weighs just over 100 pounds. Would this be underpowered for a XR500 frame.
The second engine is a Kubota ZB600C. It's a 2 cyl. rated at 12 or 13hp. It is much bigger than the Lister. I don't think it would be a good donor for an enduro. Maybe some street bike.
I have read through many of the posts and it seems that it would end up being a slug. Any thoughts?
This is a pic of the Lister.
Last edited by crazycal on Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:35 am, edited 2 times in total.
HI Cal and welcome Personally I think both engines are not really suitable if you want the best you can get from a basic diesel. I know a guy who recently bought a Kubota single that apparently turns out 15hp (good). Most singles will give you nearer 10 which is just acceptable I think.
For a big twin you really want around 20hp to get a decent turn of speed (70mph approx). My latest bike uses the Ruggerini MD 191, an 850cc twin. Would do 70 if the gearing was right. It sounds good too
Stuart. M1030M1, Honda NC700S, Grom!, Toyota Corolla 1.4 Turbo Diesel. Favouring MPG over MPH.
yes, welcome to the forum. i must agree with stuart. your L/P would be well suited for backup power generation for your home. the kubota, although i don't know the size, sounds large for the smaller power output. also not so good for a bike IMHO. i did an enduro for a mate that used the 10hp yanclone. fairly quick and easy. not much room to work with in an enduro though.
dnepr lombardini 854cc convert
kwaker punsun vtwin convert (SVO as well)
harley sporty (cvt and SVO) done
harley softail (SVO) 6 spd in the works
I am sorry to have to tell you, but your AC1, pretty though it is, would only propel you in reverse!! It is a clockwise rotation version, so you would need to be ingenious to go forwards, I think, unless you can take the drive from the timing end, (which is possible, using a PTO extension shaft kit). As for the Kubota, do not give up on this one. This little engine is used in the Aixam microcar and some owners claim that there is a simple way of adjusting the governor to increase maximum speed of their little cars to a dizzy 60mph. (See Aixam owners forum.) Someone has already put one of these in a Enfield, I believe. (See this site) They are heavy, but apparently bomb proof.
I had a three cylinder Kubota, which I wanted to put in my Dnepr. When I ran it on the bench, It revved up smoothly and quietly, with no vibration whatsoever. I only decided against it because I could not be bothered with radiators and pipes and because I wanted something more picturesque. So I ended up putting in a Lister Petter!! Fortunately, it revolves in the right direction and has one more cylinder than yours, but it really is a very peculiar shape. I have had to make some drastic alterations to make it fit. More news about this later.
First, thank you for the input. I added pictures of the other side of the Lister. That is the side I had hoped to use. My problem is that beggars can't be choosers. Right now I don't want (or can't) go out and buy a more powerful motor. I hoped I could use one of the two that I picked up.
Back to the Lister. I thought the other side with the shaft was turning in the right direction. If the Lister is not powerful enough, maybe the Kubota would be an option but it is much larger in size. I saw a picture of the same motor somewhere else and it looked much smaller. I think they removed some of the things bolted to the block. Do you think I could get the Kubota up to 60 mph or am I dreaming?
My feeling is the best you could hope for with 6.5hp at 3600 rpm is maybe 50mph. I run a 1B30 in a royal Enfield. Hp is not much different but perhaps a tad more. It runs at 50mph (or 55 if you believe the RE speedo )
Stuart. M1030M1, Honda NC700S, Grom!, Toyota Corolla 1.4 Turbo Diesel. Favouring MPG over MPH.
i believe the comet cvt's can run either way. so even if your engine is cw rotation, flip it around and auto it. may even help the speed a tad? sell your 5 box and go auto. not seen an auto RE i dont think...
dnepr lombardini 854cc convert
kwaker punsun vtwin convert (SVO as well)
harley sporty (cvt and SVO) done
harley softail (SVO) 6 spd in the works
if the engine turns ccw, shaft would be on the left side. if the engine turns cw, the shaft will be on the right. start your engine, tell me which way the shaft turns, and we'll tell you which way it should face. the comet is transferable side to side, just fyi.
brett
dnepr lombardini 854cc convert
kwaker punsun vtwin convert (SVO as well)
harley sporty (cvt and SVO) done
harley softail (SVO) 6 spd in the works
You have two output shafts to choose from on your engine. The uppermost rotates at half engine speed, the lower, longer one is the shaft you want. You are fortunate to have the shaft present on your engine, as they can be very expensive to buy from Listers.
Why not use both engines? The little Petter engine in a very light bike (even a CZ would do, if you can fit a CVT) and the Kubota for a heavier frame, such as an Enfield or Ural/Dnepr. Just think of the MPG you could get from that little AC1!
If you look at the first picture, the arrow shows the direction of rotation, but that is the opposite side of the shaft. Shaft side would turn counterclockwise.
Personally I think both engines are not really suitable if you want the best you can get from a basic diesel. I know a guy who recently bought a Kubota single that apparently turns out 15hp (good). Most singles will give you nearer 10 which is just acceptable I think.
