Registering a diesel Enfield in NSW ?

[Sibbo]

Hello all ,a post from a relative newby but long time reader .

A while ago I bought an Enfield with the aim of doing the standard Yanmar clone installation but ran into some problems with the automotive engineer who would have to do the inspection .Prior to starting I rang him to find out how he felt about it all ,no worries really except for the noise and one this one he was really firm .The conversation put me off as I couldn't see me doing all the work to install only to be failed by this bloke . I sold the Enfield but I still want to do the diesel bike thing .I think I'll look for another one .

Anyway ,after browsing this site again I came up with a thread on LPG injection https://www.dieselbikeforum.com/view ... f=39&t=964 that looks as though it might be a solution .It sounds as though it quietens the knock right down and it is the diesel knock that seems to make the noise at idle .

If Andrewaust drops by I wonder if he could give an opinion on this ?

I'm in the far North of NSW and there aren't that many inspectors so I think I might be stuck with this one .

The other question for Andrew is , he mentioned somewhere that his engine was quieter after it was run in a bit .It made me wonder if running the engine in off the bike before approaching the inspection might be the go as well ?

[Stuart]

I'm sure Andrew will offer advice if he can but at the moment he's off sick and unable to look in as often as he'd like. We wish him well and hope for a swift return!

Stuart

[pietenpol2002]

Hi Sibbo,

It may be different down under, but here in the states the principal risk with propane fumigation is that the little camper bottles of propane that we're inclined to use on our bikes are not DOT approved for permanent mounting as a fuel supply. As such, they are illegal and risk a hefty fine. They can obviously be transported like other forms of propane, but must be shut off or disconnected to transport. That said, I've never known of someone being fined for having used non-DOT approved tanks - and plenty of it occurs with the diesel pickup boys. My brothers (who will remain nameless) ran their propane fired pickups for many years with non-approved tanks and had no trouble. They also used off-road propane that they contracted for grain drying at $.46/gallon). We have no form of inspection in my state and thus, just about anything goes. Best to simply keep them "out of sight". That is, mounted behind some protective cover away from prying eyes.

However...................... if yours must be inspected and approved by an engineer, I wonder about inquiring of him or her as to the legality of mobile propane before committing to a fumigation dependent project.

In any event, I wish you the best and hope your project becomes reality.

[coachgeo]

Fumigation is a good idea but I would do it AFTER you get it registered. It is another can of worms to get you red flagged durring inspection.

To make it more quiet for the inspection put vegitable oil blend in the tank. 50/50 or even more veg. Matters how warm it is there. Start it on temporary tank of diesel to warm the engine. Shut it off. quickly change hose back to the bike tank and restart while hot. Maybe do it just around the corner of the inspection station so you can roll in with it hot. Veg oil likes it hot engine and will be more effient. Be wise how you do it to get as little air in the lines as you can during the switch over.

Veg. oil makes engine much more quiet and reduces emisions.

[Sibbo]

Good advice all around gentlemen , I think you're right about fumigation and the rego inspection .I had made a pretty stupid assumption ! That I was going to be allowed to do it ! Dumb ! They are really strict here as you may well have learned from Andrew's posts .

I'm sorry Andrew isn't well and that he returns soon ,well beyond my little enquiry .

Thanks again .

[Sibbo]

A mate suggested something faintly cunning today , for the gas fumigation ,he suggested using the frame as gas storage vessel and a very fine tube as a feed into the airbox .Interesting of suicidal ? A small regulator under the seat .

[DieselFly]

Some carfully applied sound insulation could help. And it would be such a shame if it blew off on the first ride after inspection I have seen these generators at the local Chinese hardware they have a foil and fiberglass insulation on the inside of the cabinet. Being fan cooled one only needs the inlet and outlet open

Sean

[DieselFly]

Sorry forgot the link http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CHQQ8wIwAg#

[Sibbo]

Thank Sean... that's the full treatment isn't it ! I can't see it fitting in the frame though !

I do know of a very dense lead lined foam that boat builders use to sound deaden boat diesels ,it's about an inch thick and flexible.I reckon some of that might find a use .Even a special engine fairing from glass with built in sound insulation but air in from the front and out the back ?

[andrewaust]

Hi Sibbo



I replied to your post in the newbies thread, where about's are you in NSW, Engine noise isn't a problem if you see the right engineer, exhaust noise is measured from the rear of the motorcycle, rigging gas up would require a certificate for that, the only thing I needed to do was build the cradle, muffle up the exhaust a little as I have a sports exhaust.

You go to a muffler centre to have it noise tested which you then take with you to the engineer for assessment for certification. The fellow I seen was good, he loved the idea and only needed to view the bike the once.

Pollution laws for motorcycles came in after 1995, not sure what year, could be 1998 ????? but I purchased the 1995 model as I knew I'd be safe from that .

PM me if you require any assistance, I've been crook getting over the chickenpox virus "Shingles", so I've been off the forum for a while.


A

[Sibbo]

Ouch ! I've had that myself Andrew .It knocked me about something awful ! I glad you're up and around again !

The Enfield I sold was a '95 model , bugger ! The local authorised engineer sounded very dubious and I was quite worried about doing the whole thing then getting knocked back ,but with a bit of advice from someone who's done it in NSW .I'm in with a chance mate !

All I have to do is find another old Enfield .Are 350s OK ?There was one on Ebay in Queensland recently that was passed in at around $1900 .Would it be a possible conversion ? I don't know if the frame is the same as a 500.

''You go to a muffler centre to have it noise tested which you then take with you to the engineer for assessment for certification. The fellow I seen was good, he loved the idea and only needed to view the bike the once.''

Andrew , that bit of info is GOLD ,I thought the inspector did it !

Thanks !

[andrewaust]

Hi Sibbo



I might be leading you up the garden path saying the 350 is identical, I feel they might be. The reason for going the 500cc way is to avoid further hoops to jump over due to increase in capacity, I'm not saying it is the case though, but be cautious. Bugga mate! The bike you sold was really the ideal one. The engineer I seen was really good, if your in the Newcastle area I'd recommend him, I called others and they had no idea, the problem is ETA engineers can be totally different to what to do with a diesel powered bike. Some of the engineers are structural engineers and don't have much of an idea.

Keep me posted how you get on.


A

[Sibbo]

Andrew , I'm right up at the very top of the State ,the border is 1km from here , outside Murwillumbah .

A 500 it is ,even though a 350 has about 13bhp the capacity could be a trap .Good point .

It might be slow hunt , I don't know where the older Enfield go ,you never see them for sale .

[andrewaust]

Yes mate I know what you mean regarding finding an Enfield, I had to wait approx 4 months and grabbed one up at Bundaberg and had it freighted down.

Hang in there, whilst looking try and find a competent engineer who won't beat around the bush and make it hard, if any um and arr about it, mention my conversion and it should/might make it easier.

If you get an Enfield with the stock exhaust you should be right with noise, you only have to run the engine to a percentage of max rpm, I think when I worked it out it was just above idle , so hang in with the idea, it can be done.

A

[Sibbo]

Good advice Andrew .

BTW ,my '95 Enfield came from Bundaberg too, maybe they were related ?