Diesel motorcycle for sale on Craigslist

[P-hack]

thanks, wasn't able to see it yesterday.

youtube vid, needs a more practical starter (kick, retractable puller, electric) but otherwise pretty cool, hope it finds a home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raufnMUvh1w

[jkv357]

Originally Posted by P-hack

thanks, wasn't able to see it yesterday.

youtube vid, needs a more practical starter (kick, retractable puller, electric) but otherwise pretty cool, hope it finds a home.

Really - no recoil starter?

What about lights? No headlight, and I didn't notice a brake light either.

Neat idea - if it had enough power/acceleration and everything worked.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by jkv357

Neat idea - if it had enough power/acceleration and everything worked.

Those single-cylinder engines, being targeted to stationary/industrial applications, have always had a precarious power-to-weight ratio and are far from ideal to vehicle applications, but seem to be unfortunately the only off-the-shelf option for a similar project. Maybe one between 350cc and 430cc generating at least some 10hp could provide a reasonable throttle response. BTW I have already seen some single-cylinder stationary engines similar to that one fitted with a magneto to charge a battery used to feed an electric starter. Even though most folks could live with a recoil-starter instead of electric, there is no real excuse for not having fully-functional lights.

[P-hack]

unfortunately you probably can't bump start a torque-a-verter (even run with it a few steps and hop on could be workable at that size, if a cord in your pocket is the only other option). Seems the biodiesel craze faded out half a decade ago (in the states anyway, where we are taught that diesel is bad).

I still jones for a M1030M1 though.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by P-hack

That's a nice one. Too bad it's not really likely to be released on the market, but its engine is a great piece of engineering compared to the stationary single-cylinder engines currently on the market.

[P-hack]

also too bad they couldn't justify a turbo for military service, a rare case where it would improve efficiency (and performance)

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by P-hack

also too bad they couldn't justify a turbo for military service, a rare case where it would improve efficiency (and performance)

I try to figure out an excuse for not having a turbocharger on it. Maybe lack of space to fit a turbocharger and accommodate its cooling requirements, and some exposed plumbing getting too vulnerable to damage from road debris? Anyway, maybe a gear-driven supercharger could be doable...

[oz42]

Do you know this Diesel bike project?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by oz42

Do you know this Diesel bike project?

What other 3-cyl turbodiesels could be used instead of the Smat's 800cc? Now the only ones that come across my mind are the VW 1.2 and 1.4 TDI, and that 1.5CRDi from Hyundai and Kia.

[oz42]

I thing other engines would be too big. The Smart engine is small, even with it's turbo charger attached.

I had one of those Smarts. It had a great mgp value.