Kubota Engine transmission question...

[roodesign]

Hi there all...Just found this forum...so am still exploring...I am building a "microcar" that I am going to use a kubota z482 diesel engine in and I was trying to find info about how people have set up a trasmission and all...my car has 3 wheels...one in back and will have a motorcycle-like drive set up...I also am wondering about putting a turbocharger on the the kubota...please look at my website www.roopod.com to see details of my design...sorry if it is not exactly a motorcycle...it will be registered as one, though!

thanks in advance for any info...or ideas!

Roo Trimble
rt@roopod.com
www.roopod.com

[Diesel Dave]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I'm a big fan of the early 3 wheeled Morgans and a general liking for 3 wheelers.

Best of luck
Dave

[smokyjoe]

Hey Roo!

It looks like a bike to me, just much little drier than most.

You are almost right in my backyard! I often drive through Shutesbury on RT-202. I'm in Chicopee and have one Hatz E79 433cc/ Suzuki GS550 (the "Hatzuki") diesel bike in the works (now on hold for the winter) and parts for another 3 cyl. Kubota D950 powered (Honda CB1000c) bike after I make all the mistakes on the first one . They both will be capable of running on WVO, but will be much more primitive than that Roo machine!

I wish my shop looked like yours. I've got about the same lineup but most of my machines are in storage for lack of space.

I'll send you my e-mail and info off-forum.

Nice website, your machine looks like it will be a really good commuter for zipping around and much lower drag and better efficiency than a "standard" 2 wheeler. I like it so far.

But, I'd save all your receipts and get bills of sale for all the major parts (engine, trans, wheels, drive parts, etc.) and register it as a "self-manufactured?" vehicle. The registry has a form to fill out, and you bring all your paperwork and bills of sale over to Westfield, they give it their blessing and your Roopod is a Roopod "car" and you won't be subject to having to wear eye protection, helmet, etc. (unless you want to) I'll be honest, I haven't done it yet for the Hatzuki myself but had it all explained at the registry and it doesn't seem all that bad, especially for Massachusetts. If this is true they've really done something right (and simple) for once.

Good luck and I hope you have good heat in your shop!

Brad

[smokyjoe]

By the way, I have fallen in love with the Comet CVT transmissions. Seems like the best thing for a narrow RPM range and varying loads.

What convinced me are all the very successful Diesel bikes out there with them, and riding a Honda scooter with a belt drive CVT all over western Massachusetts. I don't think that anything can compare with a belt drive CVT for simplicity, performance, ease of mounting, etc. Plus they are available new on eBay pretty cheap if you are patient and keep looking. You could always rig some kind of a simple roller and gear arrangement for a reverse so you wouldn't have to get out and push.

Of course I'll say that you will find many blokes on this forum that will bet their paycheck and a beer on the "standard" 5 or 6 speed manual transmission and clutch and they probably have just a good of an argument but they haven't convinced me yet!

-Brad

[pietenpol2002]

Welcome Roo,

I trust you've seen the example of the Kubota 482cc powered RE that attended the 2008 Big Knock in the UK. I suspect it's the same engine of which you speak.

http://www.dieselbike.net/BritishRally0 ... 00twin.jpg

Sadly, Stuart and others have not been successful in contacting the owner/builder. I've emailed various clubs in the owner's part of the UK in an effort to contact him but with no luck. I'd love to know more about it beyond just the pic. It obviously utilizes the RE trans in contrast to your planned CVT.

And then just for the novelty of it, check out the classic 3 wheeler in the link below. Clearly from the Fred Flintstone School on Engineering, but creative nonetheless. I especially like the brief case strapped to the deck.

http://tinyurl.com/bczhmk

Or the translated version. Takes a bit to load.

http://tinyurl.com/dccgye

Good luck with your build and I think you'll find this board a great rescource.

Ron

[roodesign]

Thanks for all the info guys...that russion "boat car thing" will be hard to beat...

Roo

[roodesign]

Hi folks, does anybody have experiance with the 94c and a 3600rpm diesel...I am wondering what my weight/spring combo should be in the "driver" clutch...this determines when the clutch engauges...any thoughts? I am thinking with the diesel tourque the lower the better...
thanks
Roo

[Diesel Dave]

You need Fiddlers help on this one.

From memory he said the heaviest weight setup possible.

Dave

[roodesign]

Thanks, Dave...I looked at Fiddler's posts and found my answer! He is using 9 of the heavy pucks and the pink spring...I have ordered the three extra pucks that did'nt come with the stock setup. I sure appreciate this help...my build has enough problems to solve without reinventing stuff!

Roo

[roodesign]

Just thought I would let you guys know...I have added a buch of info/pics to my "construction progress blog" on http://www.roopod.com and thought that it might be worth a gander...here are some pics of the frame "off" the jig for the first time! and one of my Kubota z482 + comet 94c + comet FNR gearbox...

Roo

[Sphere]

That looks really nice!

[dieselbikin]

I run a 94C setup on my dieselbike. I'm very pleased with it. My best all around performance has also been with nine 59.6g/1" Steel Insert pucks/pink spring/4.60 final drive. I've tried all 4 springs, numerous puck combos and final drives. My gross wieght is 600lbs and aerodynamics good for a bike "stinks".

[balboa_71]

Roo,
How did you attach the 94 drive pulley to the Kubota's flywheel? That setup is super cool and a great way to get power out of these engines. One thing most people do is gear their bikes to high (for high top end) and this really stresses out the Comet. Last, what kind of tranny are you feeding power into???

thanks,
Cris

[roodesign]

Hi there, Balboa...

I got a stock Kubota stub shaft adaptor from a Kubota engine dealer....
I had to cut it off a bit to be right for the Comet...

I have set my Final drive ratio to 4:1 with a 21.2" tire
with the Kubota's 3600 RPM and the CVT ratio, it should go 65mph...or so...I hope it's not too high gearing...

I am using Comet's Reverse Gearbox in place of a jackshaft...

there are tons of pictures of everything at my website http://www.roopod.com if you want to see pictures...
I am just about to weld my swingarm together and set this baby on the ground maybe today or tomorow....

Thanks, Roo

[smokyjoe]

Nice work, Roo! I hope to see that machine running around the streets of Amherst (and beyond) soon! I didn't know a stub shaft was available "off the shelf"- saves a bit of work. My Kubota engine has a splined shaft that ran a hydraulic pump, not very useful for my use but I think the flywheel is drilled.

Have fun,
Brad

[balboa_71]

Roo,
Let us know how the gear box works out....I'll look for pic's on your website...maybe I missed a few. I didn't know Comet had a gear box.

thanks,
Cris

[roodesign]

hey guys, thought I would post some new pics...see much more at my blog www.roopod.com not long now till we fire this baby up!

Roo