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Post by 3verse on Dec 17, 2008 14:54:31 GMT -5
I spent a lot of time thinking about the ideal engine for a 3-wheeler. Though there are the obvious choices, such as a Hayabusa motor or a 1300cc shaft driven motor, many of us can't afford the ideal choice.
I've chosen the GS750 because it was CHEAP -- I got a running bike for $300, and I will probably only have to do a clutch and carb cleaning.
But the motor has 63hp and redlines at 9000rpms
What motors have you guys used?
What motor are you thinking about using for your project?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2008 15:42:56 GMT -5
I know most people outside of the cruiser community don't look too favorably at v-twins, but I once had a Yamaha Roadstar Warrior that I built to 108 cubic inches. On the dyno at the rear wheel it had 113 Hp and 125 foot pounds of torque. It redlined at 5000 rpms, but it was geared to take advantage of the monster torque. That would make for one heck of a power plant on a reverse trike. Since it is air cooled, installation is also simplified (with proper ducting and some external fans). Lots of "wrecked" cruisers out there to choose from as well.
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Post by srx660 on Dec 17, 2008 15:59:10 GMT -5
The only thing i think could be a real problem is that using motorcycle engines could cause clutch problems if you are using a smaller engine to power a much heavier trike. I have thinking about this since i have acquired a honda CM-250 twin and was thinking about using it for a small enclosed trike. Personally i would like to see automatic transmission trikes that would appeal to women for everyday driving about town. Using a motorcycle based engine kinda excludes this from the trikes. So, Where can i find a 500 water cooled twin engine with a auto trans to use. In my web searching i did find these engines which are interesting( althouigh, i find china made products of lower quality than i like).   SRX660 |
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Post by 3verse on Dec 17, 2008 17:14:25 GMT -5
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Post by 1983JZR3W on Dec 17, 2008 18:16:17 GMT -5
The engine in my car is a Honda CX650 water cooled twin. The JZR that I have was originally designed to use the Honda CX500 and has been totally successful The 500 has 50 Hp and the 650 has approximately 65 HP. Some JZR's have been built using the Moto Guzzi 850 and a few use the Harley big twin. The nice thing about using either Honda is being able to use the Honda 5-speed from the original motorcycle. My car weighs a little less than 800 pounds and seems to have plenty of power. I would describe it to driving a late 60's, early 70's MGB. I have other cars that are much faster, but I am very happy with my little Honda 650.
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Post by danwyke on Dec 18, 2008 7:32:27 GMT -5
I went with a '84 Kawasaki GPz1100 as a donor. I was looking for a cheap 1000cc+ bike with fuel injection and this fit the bill. I believe it's stats are 120 Hp and 75 ftlbs. I would rather it was water cooled given it will be tucked in the back but I've planned some side ducts to get the air to it.
Another concern using motorcycle engines that I came across in the car forums is oil starvation during cornering. Due to bikes leaning in turns the oil does not normally get pushed away from the pickup. Many using Hayabusa engines in bike engined cars are converting to dry sump for this reason. Supposedly R1 engines hold up better to starvation, not sure why? I'm going to try and use an Accusump to maintain oil pressure in the event the pickup becomes uncovered.
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Post by jim99 on Dec 18, 2008 21:31:12 GMT -5
Hi, For what its worth I raced 750cc GSXR powered open wheel race cars for 15 years. Oil starvation was never an issue on those engines. After about four years of running motor to red line twice a lap and about 2,000 laps a year something in the valve train would fail and destroy the engine. The engines were completely stock, red line on a 2001 GSXR is 14,000.  Jim |
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Post by 3verse on Dec 18, 2008 22:18:05 GMT -5
Hi, For what its worth I raced 750cc GSXR powered open wheel race cars for 15 years. Oil starvation was never an issue on those engines. After about four years of running motor to red line twice a lap and about 2,000 laps a year something in the valve train would fail and destroy the engine. The engines were completely stock, red line on a 2001 GSXR is 14,000. Thanks! That's good to know. I was worried about that after reading the other post, and thought to myself -- well, here's one more thing to spend money on... |
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Post by davidallen on Dec 18, 2008 22:18:40 GMT -5
Hi SRX660. Have you looked into some of the new scooters? Suxuki's Burgman among others would fill the bill for over 500cc and automatic.
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Post by 3verse on Dec 18, 2008 22:25:25 GMT -5
Hi SRX660. Have you looked into some of the new scooters? Suxuki's Burgman among others would fill the bill for over 500cc and automatic. That's a really good point -- there are a lot of automatic scooters with large engines providing possible cores for people who want an automatic powerplant for their build. |
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Post by davidallen on Dec 18, 2008 22:26:13 GMT -5
Hello all. My build started out to be all VW, then morphed several times to where I find myself looking into the rebeginning. Right now I have a Honda Goldwing 1100, a Yamaha Virago 1100, and two 920 Viragos to use for engines. The Honda is a flat 4 of course and the Yamahas are all Vtwins. All will be good candidates, with problems of their own to be solved.
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Post by danwyke on Dec 19, 2008 7:18:11 GMT -5
That was my exact reaction when I first came across the information. I know it is a concern for people racing using the Hayabusa engine in cars. For street driving it may not be an issue? Apparently other engines do not have issues even in racing applications. It's just something to be aware of.
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Post by hawkwind on Jan 3, 2009 0:10:35 GMT -5
I'm fortunate enough to have two well developed racing engines to choose from , 1000cc Kawasaki and a 1350cc hayabusa , both are extensively modified and would not be usable for anything except limited forms of racing ,which is what I'm aiming for
cheers
Gary
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Post by curvecutter on Jan 3, 2009 23:25:35 GMT -5
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Post by kyles974 on Mar 23, 2009 20:19:56 GMT -5
good point on the clutch problems!
I used to race 250cc two stoke dirt bikes where clutching is your throttle for a 2-3hr harescamble race, and i used straight 30w and it kept me from burning my plates vs using a 80 90w oil.
I;m not sure if this could help or be an option for road bike clutches? (of course the oil was changed prior to and after each race)
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Post by mtntech on May 30, 2012 9:03:31 GMT -5
Using a Yamaha 4 stroke snowmobile engine/clutching will give you abundant power, a dry sump oil system, choice of carbs or fuel injection, automatic transmission, and more. How's that for resurrecting an old thread?!!
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Post by joeld0803 on May 30, 2012 19:15:48 GMT -5
LOL!
Yea...........I'll just go down and get me one..........Oh wait........I live in Houston, TX.
It NEVER SNOWS here .....................Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!
Seems to be available in a few sizes at least including a 1000 cc
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Post by jim99 on May 30, 2012 20:29:06 GMT -5
When using a snowmobile engine and clutches remember the snowmobile Mg's tend to locate the engines and clutches in a clean enclosed containment area.
Snowmobile clutches do not function well in dust and dirt. I used that combination in a race car for a few years. Became very proficient at disassembling the secondary clutch to clean it every week.
Nothing worse than driving into a corner and hitting the gas to come out of the corner and the secondary has stuck open and does not back shift to give you the lower gear ratio to pull you out of the corner and everybody else drives by.
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Post by mtntech on May 30, 2012 22:33:07 GMT -5
All clutches like to be clean, as they function better that way. Snowmobile clutches are not enclosed, they just operate in a relatively dustfree environment. The dirtiest place under the hood of a snowmobile is usually the clutch area because of the belt debris. They can be used in an enclosure but then you have to be able to make sure they stay cool. An ATV is a good example of that. Power wise sled clutches can handle up to 300 HP with good reliability.
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Post by hangonrider on Jul 3, 2012 1:41:29 GMT -5
Iam starting to put together parts for crossbow that I bought plans for from dons diy.I chose a yamaha 660 because it has a reverce hefty cluch. I have the complete atv and plan to use more parts from it.
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