Diesel motorcycles. Me want, me shall have.
 

No, seriously. Just wait. I am ordering the engine tonight after I pay the electric bill.

So far, the plan (not even close to finalized) involves a 418cc thumper diesel, pull or electric start, and the gearbox from a 1992 Kawasaki ZX600D, modded to do what I need.

Chassis choices aren't final, yet.

I've already sold my 1997 EX250, because I just want as happy with it as I thought I would be. And I had a chance to make a profit, which is a big thing for me, as some of you know.

I hate making threads before I get started on something, but I'm pretty excited about this, and I've been able to keep things on track more lately.

Check back for progress.

Lol, I was just looking for a small diesel for the gs250 last night :) But you have me outmotivated by a wide margin.

Subscribed.

Normally, It'd sit around and wait for a good deal on a similar engine locally, but there was a recent surge of cash flow, so motivation and timing trumped my cheap nature.

For some reason, the idea of pull starting a diesel engine sounds ... difficult. But I am curious!

I'd love to see it, especially if you get gears and clutch sorted out. There's more examples online than you can shake a stick at. Is the ZX600D transmission just a transmission that you have handy? Or was there something about the configuration/gearing that you liked? 10hp sounds about perfect for cruising.

The motor has a compression release, so it shouldn't be so bad to pull start, but I got the electric start option because I'm just not that ambitious...

You can search for 'Launtop Diesel 10hp', that will show you what I'm working with. I can't post a link here because my phones browser doesn't think it's a text input situation.

Regarding the transmission, I actually have a few options... The ZX600D 'box came to mind, but then I realized I have several other options that may be better, and will dev check into them as well.

The easiest option would be a pre-built detached transmission such as those used on older V Twin bikes of which I won't mention the names... ;)

However, the chances of someone GIFTING me one of those is certainly slim. Thus, I'll have to cut up an integrated setup, and make something work.

gawd, love that torque "curve" :) It's like an electric motor that runs on chicken renderings.
http://i.ebayimg.com/18/!B4HhKZwBGk~...)02LYQ~~_3.JPG

If you can target your averages cruise load/speed for that 3000 rpm mark, that will be about as good as it gets efficiency wise.

You probably know about this site.

DieselBike.net • Index page :thumbup:

I have a Kubota D600 waiting to go into a 1981 KZ750 using a Yamaha 250 Blaster transmission.

>

I was thinking that I would gear it so that at 60 mph, it's running about 2500rpm... That will give me enough "overhead" to accelerate and overtake if necessary, while still keeping me in that really efficient area.

Torque 'curve'... Lol.

KLR650 marine, why recreate what's already done, other than the price.

http://www.angelfire.com/mo/motormar...s/mvc_001s.jpg

But worth looking into to copy.