Diesel engine in MC, have you heard?

Hi,

I am looking for motorcycles which are using diesel engine. My frien is
a real Peugeot -lover and Peugeot engines are used in MC's at least in UK.

But I remember reading a story about some club in USA (was it Florida)
that they are building those. Have you heard?

Thanks for all info and links,

Harri

If you email me remove spam stuff from address...

 

I don't have specifics on this, but I have read about them converting
the engines to diesel engines. Apparently they work quite well. The
biggest problem with them, like all diesels, is the excessive
hydrocarbons that they spew into the atmosphere. But I hear the gas
mileage is outrageous (60+ mph?).


--Fullstate

Me and Mah 'Priller!

 

Auto manufacturers are also starting to test HCH engines for regular
gasoline. It's an almost identical technology to diesel, but they
anticipate more efficiency and less heat loss.


--Fullstate

Me and Mah 'Priller!

 

There are many great developments in the diesel arena including computer
throttle control. The computer monitors emissions and controls the
actual throttle position. This eliminates the cloud of black smoke when
you cram the peddle to the floor. There are experiments going on with
natural gas/diesel hybrids. I have a friend who is driving a natural
gas/diesel VW of his own design. This is well proven technology and was
used in electric power generation prior to the development of the
turbine. Ceramics is another great innovation in diesel technology.
Diesels become more efficient the hotter they run. The problem with high
temperature operation has always been the toll it takes on standard
engine components. Look to see big strides in diesel engineering in the
near future as American car makers try to have their big cake and feed
it too!

Yes, RPM is limited on diesels but the pay back is in torque! I had a
gas VW Rabbit which is essentially the same car as my Scirocco diesel.
They use the same 5 speed transmission with the same gearing. A corner
that required a down shift to second or third in the gas car was easily
taken in fifth in the diesel. The diesels have bucket loads of torque.

As for diesel motorcycles, Royal Infield India makes several diesel
driven motorcycles for the India market. These are SLOW but usually
reserved for hacks that are used by street vendors and delivery drivers
where economy of operation is everything.

I once saw an article in the British magazine "Bike" that described an
AJS diesel conversion. The owner was a machinist and he shoehorned a
Robins single cylinder diesel into his AJS rolling chassis. It looked
really good, got about 70 mpg and had a top speed of about 55 miles per
hour. He said it was funny how many people would run over and try to
stop him from putting diesel fuel in his tank thinking that he had made
a mistake.

I always thought it would be cool to convert a stroked Harley to Diesel.
There are lots of places and ways to drive the pump but I don't think
the bottom end would stand the strain for long.

James
81 Diesel Scirocco

 

I've got a Golf TDI. Displacement 1900cc, can get 50 mpg driving right, 47
mpg driving wrong..will run over 100mph. When the diesel fuel improves to
meet upcoming regulations in the U.S. you will see even better performance
from diesel engines. I'm here to tell you that VW TDI is a sweet engine, and
day/night different from the old VW diesels. They do not smoke, and are
quieter on the road than a gas engine.

.....louie

 

Boss Hoss could probably do you a custom without too much trouble if you
go the pocket change.

Seriously. <g>

 

The VW TDI has a computer controlled throttle. It is one of the best
developments
in diesel technology in years. There are chip upgrades for more power or
for
better economy.

 

I have a 2 cylinder diesel Kubota tractor that is bullet proof. I always
thought a hybrid car, with a constant speed power plant like the Kubota
twin, would be the ticket. I want something that will run the AC as well
as charge the batteries! And yes, there is nothing more versatile as a
diesel electric. They have been used in locomotives and off road trucks
for years.
James

 

I did read about a company that was putting used military helicopter
turbine engines in a streetable motorcycles. The fuel was diesel but
this is a whole different category. They are not technically a "diesel"
but they are wicked fast and they sound like the Batmobile when they
spool up!

http://www.motorcyclecity.com/turbine.htm

James

 

I found these pages from UK
http://www.peace65.freeserve.co.uk/Pictures/oldconversions.htm , take a
look to end of the page, that is fun.

But what I am looking for is custom bikes w/Peugeot engines, not those
old historical bikes but bikes with engines from 80's or 90's.

Thanks anyhow, I have got couple good links and I have to check them =)

Harri