Diesel Motorcycle build

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

That's a nice project. I've been lurking to get a similar setup into a smaller motorcycle, such as a Yamaha Teneré 250.

[renault_megane_dci]

As much as I like the diesel conversions on motorbikes, you make me come to the conclusion that it is a lot of involvement / hassle for basically regular 125 cc performance, be it acceleration, FE or top speed and even purchase price.

I have checked on the dieselbike.net forum because I thought there was more potential in dieselizing a bike engine.
The answer is basically no from the narrow minded engineers from automotive and yes for the dreamers.

[alexander.foti]

Originally Posted by renault_megane_dci

As much as I like the diesel conversions on motorbikes, you make me come to the conclusion that it is a lot of involvement / hassle for basically regular 125 cc performance, be it acceleration, FE or top speed and even purchase price.

I have checked on the dieselbike.net forum because I thought there was more potential in dieselizing a bike engine.
The answer is basically no from the narrow minded engineers from automotive and yes for the dreamers.

When the bike is purely being used around town, and is running on fuel that doesnt even touch 50p a liter then im happy with the hasttle.

To be honest, the fuel effeciency should be around 170-180 one its bedded in which is higher than a 125 petrol scooter would get.

The HDT modified KLR 650 is what you want if you want an off the shelf diesel bike.

[alexander.foti]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

That's a nice project. I've been lurking to get a similar setup into a smaller motorcycle, such as a Yamaha Teneré 250.

Thanks! We all use big motorbikes becuase the engine and gearbox combinations are huge, or much larger than the same cc petrol versions.

The smallest bike I would think would work is a CB400/250, as they were big anyway.

[renault_megane_dci]

Originally Posted by alexander.foti

When the bike is purely being used around town, and is running on fuel that doesnt even touch 50p a liter then im happy with the hasttle.

To be honest, the fuel effeciency should be around 170-180 one its bedded in which is higher than a 125 petrol scooter would get.

The HDT modified KLR 650 is what you want if you want an off the shelf diesel bike.

Ho, I don't want anything off the shelf, I'm amongst the dreamers !

As for the hassle, keep it up on your excellent project I wish I could handle.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by alexander.foti

Thanks! We all use big motorbikes becuase the engine and gearbox combinations are huge, or much larger than the same cc petrol versions.

I've already considered to attempt a centrifugal clutch cimilar to the one used in the original Mobylette, since it provides a similar effect to a CVT in a lighter and more compact package, with no gearbox at all.

The smallest bike I would think would work is a CB400/250, as they were big anyway.

I like the current Yamaha XTZ250 Teneré available here in Brazil, since it has a comparatively big fuel tank for a compact motorcycle and has some cross-country abilities which I would enjoy.

[California98Civic]

A search for "diesel motorcycle" on EM yielded this old thread, and I thought I would add this link I just found. A day-dreamer idea is to convert the old Bajaj Chetak scooter I have in the garage. Too many projects and too much to learn! But I can dream. Diesel Motorcycles at DieselBike.net | Listing all Diesel Motorcycle projects

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

A day-dreamer idea is to convert the old Bajaj Chetak scooter I have in the garage. Too many projects and too much to learn! But I can dream. Diesel Motorcycles at DieselBike.net | Listing all Diesel Motorcycle projects

There are some interesting projects on that site, and even a picture of a Vespa with a single-cylinder Diesel mounted on its floor. Anyway, about 7 years ago I've already considered to work around a 2-stroke gasser to run on Diesel, but since it would probably still require a supercharger for the scavenging I considered it too much more complicated than what II would want to do. At that time I still thought hot-bulb engines were real Diesels

Anyway, in a Vespa or a Bajaj Chetak, apart from the transmission setup, another critical issue to consider while converting to any other engine is the weight balance due to engine position.

[renault_megane_dci]

Had I time and money, I would try to convert a Suzuki DR 800 (for the long stroke and tough internals) to a smaller bore barrel (like a GN 400), machine a head out of a lump of alloy, stick a Fiat Tdid piston and injector on it.

Main concern was the oppportunity to close up the valve angle and still use a standard bike cam.
Maybe two ?