Want to build a diesel motorcycle.

volvopunk

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Location
Ames
TDI
1998 New Beetle TDI
I've been contemplating designing a diesel engined motorcycle that could run off of biodiesel. (mainly just to have a weird project)

Anyway, being from the USA, small diesel engines are spendy to purchase, and none are really designed to power a motorcycle.

I'm trying to get ideas in here of engines that would be good for this project. Hatz makes a vertical twin cylindered engine, but it only puts out about 9.5 hp.

Lister-Petter makes a twin cylinder that would power a bike, but it's pretty big.

18x20x20" area needed to fit it in a bike.

So i'm trying to locate a cheap, small diesel engine in the US.. or a good one to keep an eye out for.

My design goal is something pretty goofy looking. Kinda like a mixture of an old Cushman scooter and a Vespa.





Except it would use 17" wheels, and be much larger in stance. But would have a steel legshield, and the engine would reside under the seating area, with a stepthrough design...

Anyone got any leads for me about something like this??

[ February 28, 2003, 08:55: Message edited by: volvopunk ]
 

volvopunk

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Location
Ames
TDI
1998 New Beetle TDI
I have seen all of the bikes online that I could find.

The Enfield Robin, Enfield Hatz (of the UK)

The Hatz Enfield looks like the best looking bike I have seen of the lot.

The Robin diesel bike is ok too.

Can I get one of these engines in the USA though?

Robin and Hatz sell engines, but they are for generators or whatnot. They don't have very tolerant operation angles.
 

dieseldorf

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 11, 2000
Location
MA
TDI
ex- 1996 wagon, ex-2000 Jetta
the Robin has a very progressive appearance compared to the other stuff.

Would things like this ever turn up on eBay?
 

volvopunk

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Location
Ames
TDI
1998 New Beetle TDI
My ideal diesel bike would be a vertical twin.

Like a Triumph Bonneville in stature


But man, the KLR is about what I'm looking for.

That would be THE bike to have, if you ask me.

I wonder if it could run after an EMP attack???

Being compression driven, and possibly sans computer...
 

volvopunk

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Location
Ames
TDI
1998 New Beetle TDI
Originally posted by dieseldorf:
the Robin has a very progressive appearance compared to the other stuff.

Would things like this ever turn up on eBay?
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I will keep an eye open on ebay, but don't expect to see much, as none of these bikes exist in the USA.

And the only ones in the US are made by hand by dedicated people wanting a diesel bike.
 

dieseldorf

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 11, 2000
Location
MA
TDI
ex- 1996 wagon, ex-2000 Jetta
Originally posted by volvopunk:
And the only ones in the US are made by hand by dedicated people wanting a diesel bike.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Understood and that is probably a very small % of the population. I still think it would be an interesting conversation piece but I also covet Kubota diesel tractors/over-grown lawnmowers.


 
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