built a diesel motorcycle
Guys,
I built my own diesel bike 3 years ago using one of the Yanmar clone 10hp electric start engines found on eBay. My engine was a "Kama" clone and designed for generator use. I had to modify the crankshaft end to accept a Comet 500 drive unit (no, this was not fun or easy). My donor bike was a '79 GS850 shaft drive Suzuki that had been parked outside for 10 years or so (yikes!). I also had a GS750 bike to use for parts. I took the GS750 swing arm and modified it to fit the GS850 frame (not easy either!), and went from there. I had to design and build a jackshaft, engine cradle, and fit up a huge 70 tooth #50 rear sprocket. When it was all said and done, I had a bike that would run 50mph and wake up everyone within 1 block where I was riding due to the engines knocking (air cooled aluminum engine case). I sold the bike to a friend 14 months ago cause I needed the cash, wish I'd kept it. From an engineering stand point, it was a 50% success: bike frame was way too heavy and my welding sucked because of the equipment I had at my disposal. Drive train was okay but I don't like Comet torque converters. Jackshaft's suck, but mine worked and still does. 10 hp engine will blow up someday; the design is for stationary use, not bikes.
Cris
PS: there are photos of my work on Yahoogroups
