crazy idea ?

[d0sitmatr]

I know this isnt a "new" idea, but I was thinking about this the past couple of days:
take a 1000cc bike (or around that size)
then take a small, light RWD car such as a Miata, from a junk yard or something, nothing with major damage and obviously doesnt need the engine, basically a shell.

then transplant the bike's engine into the Miata, run a chain/sprocket to the rear, while removing the rear drive axle, replacing it with just a straight axle and sprocket welded on. (unless its shaft driven, which might work better)

not sure if the trans of the bike is strong enough here, but if it were, what do you think ?
I got the idea from someone posting about the car that got insane mileage that was built the same way, but with (I think) a heavier car.

[larrybuck]

Doesn't sound crazy to me!
I'm waiting on $ to take the watered cooled 673cc V-twin out of my Honda Silverwing that is having alternator issues, and put it in a re-framed mini car that mimics the wheelbase of the '72 Honda AZ Coupe basketcase that I have.

[War_Wagon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdJ84...eature=related

There are quite a few Smart cars with bike engines on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVIWX...eature=related

[ecofreak]

You're better off welding together a frame and suspension and adding something small, like a 37cc Yanmar, for good mileage.

[d0sitmatr]

wow, that smart car is almost scary.
can you imagine pulling up next to that at a stop light, and being cocky trying to race him and he just leaves you sitting there with your mouth open ? lol
are smartcars RWD ? I always figured FWD, which is why I didnt consider it.

EF, I dont think a 37cc engine is going to get me up to hwy speeds
I was looking at it as a high mpg travel car. but mostly as a highly modified project

[camopaint0707]

Try a reliant robin!!

[Ryland]

Trouble with motorcycle engines is that they have cam shafts that are designed for high revs, 10,000 rpm or so, a geo metro's 1,000cc engine has plenty of power at 3,000rpm but a 1,000cc motorcycle engine isn't going to have the same kind of power output at that low speed.
if you wanted to do this any way, find a shaft drive engine from a motorcycle like a Honda Goldwing, depending on the year you can find a 1,000cc engine up to a 1,600cc engine and they are tuned to run at slower speeds, have a transmission that can handle the weight of a fully loaded motorcycle with trailer and would be easier to hook up to the drive shaft of the rear axle of the car.

[War_Wagon]

I imagine you would want to be able to go backwards too, I think a Goldwing would have a reverse gear, not sure how many other bike transmissions would.

[mnmarcus]

Like Ryland said the High RPMs of motorcycle engines will not be as efficient as a lower RPM auto engine. It may work if you had a motorcycle engine that made 100 HP but you forced yourself to drive at low RPMs (using less gas but having much less power).

[Ryland]

Originally Posted by War_Wagon

I imagine you would want to be able to go backwards too, I think a Goldwing would have a reverse gear, not sure how many other bike transmissions would.

Apparently some of the Goldwings have electric reverse, using the starter, because you don't want to back a motorcycle up fast.