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Old 12-25-2011, 03:14 AM   #18 (permalink)
Michael Moore
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: San Francisco, CA USA
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Most modern motorcycle engines have gear primary drive, not belt/chain and that has been the case for decades.

If you watch the races you'll see that it isn't uncommon for motorcycles to be downshifted multiple times coming into a corner with the clutch only let out once the final gear is selected. It isn't a problem to do that.

You can get in-line reverse gearboxes for use in bike-engined cars. You might even end up with 5 or 6 reverse gears as they go in the driveline after the m/c transmission.

Car engines and transmissions are often not terribly light. A complete 250 Ninja powerplant with 6 speed gearbox/clutch less carbs is 90lbf. A complete Yamaha 250 4T single MX engine is 55 lbf including carb, electrics and kick lever. An SV650 Suzuki twin without carbs but with starter motor is 120lbf and that puts out 68ish hp.

A friend has a Guzzi-powered TriKing

triking dot co dot uk (not enough posts to use a regular link)

and that is light enough that with a little planning he doesn't miss not having a reverse gear. But that can be dealt with as I think Honda did on the big 'wings, by driving the starter motor in reverse when the bike is in first gear. Instant "brief use" reverse.

cheers,
Michael
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