new diesel guy

[ecodzl]

I have been reading the threads and am convinced there is a whole lot of stuff I never thought of for economy. I ride a motorcycle a lot and that is pretty good now Im after more. Im really wanting to build a one off with a small diesel in it.

[Daox]

Welcome to the site. A diesel motorcycle build sounds very cool.

What bike are you riding now, and what kind of mileage do you get with it?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

What are the reasons towards your intention to build a Diesel motorcycle? Are you also considering the possibility to use alternative fuels such as biodiesel or waste frying oil?

[Kronos]

I think that would be an interesting ride. +1 on the bio diesel, think it would be perfect in a cruiser bike.

[coachgeo]

Originally Posted by ecodzl

.... I ride a motorcycle a lot and that is pretty good now Im after more. Im really wanting to build a one off with a small diesel in it.

There are ton of Diesel bikes. Few OEM products (Royal Enfield,) former OEM (Track 800) and a lot of home brews. Plenty are Moped slouches yet most resent builds in last several years are highway burners that won't get you run over cause they do more than Moped speeds.

Best place to discuss things specific to diesel bikes is where other diesel bike nuts gather and that is the discussion forum at suckindiesel.com/thingy Several members here are also members there.

*1997 Triumph Tiger Dual sport. 3cyl OEM swapped for a Kubota and CVT drive.

[ecodzl]

Thanks for the replies and the info. My motorcycle is a BMW R1100R, partially faired, mostly stock, I average 48 to 50 mgp consistently over 50,000 miles of use. I already cruise the diesel bike forum. I'm not into building a diesel MC yet.

My ecomodder project started with a 73 super beetle (round windshield and mcpherson strut front end). I'm working on a conversion to front wheel drive (mcpherson struts) using diesel vw parts and a yanmar 900 cc engine (22hp the original beetle had 25hp). I'm going the WVO route. I test ran the engine last week on VO and it tolerates it really well.

I have been studying the beetle shape from all angles. Looking from above without fenders and running boards the body is pretty clean. The pan underneath is also pretty clean. With the fenders, running boards, and body mods the drag will drop below .41. The beetle roofline and rear end will be changed with a kammback tail.

The rear suspension and drive gear is out already and I am in the middle of converting it to a single rear wheel (tadpole configuration). I considered the three wheel car forums but they don't get close to what I trying to do.

Thanks again for the replies.

[elhigh]

Look up Changzuki, who also calls himself Crazy Jerry. I found him as Crazy Jerry long before I ever discovered Ecomodder, and I was reading up on diesel-converted bikes. He's done exactly what you're talking about with a modest little Suzuki and a cheap Chinese single-pot pull-start diesel. If you're not in a hurry but have a long way to go, the mileage on Jerry's bike can crack past 115 mpg, even if the engine doesn't have enough twist to pull the bike much beyond 60mph.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I like BMW R-series motorcycles, mostly for the flat-twin engine and the shaft-drive layout. Would be nice to get a flat-twin Diesel that could fit into one...