New Member from Aberdeen,Scotland

cossackmannie · Post by **cossackmannie** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 1:06 pm

Hi all,
I'm Ian from Aberdeen, Scotland. Been riding all sorts of bikes since the 80's but have spent the last few years messing about with Dneprs and 1980's air-cooled Japanese bikes. After spending the last 20 years trying to reach 180mph, I'm now 44 and want to reach 180mpg.
I have a 1954 BSA C10L sidevalve which I'd like to convert to diesel.
I have been reading up on the subject and think that a Kipor 10hp single would be fine for the job (unless you folks know of a better one

)
I'll be running a 3 speed Bsa gearbox (possibly a 4 speed Bsa C11G box as I have one spare)
Hopefully, some of you folks on here could give me a few pointers and advise me on what NOT to do when going down this road.
The bike was bought as a basket case so I'll be getting the rolling chassis up first then see where I'm at after that.
The front down tube looks like it will need modified to squeeze in the motor but the rear engine plates/gearbox mounts look like they will provide a sturdy starting point. The C10 clutch and gearboxes are very strong so I'll use them as a starting point.
As the Kipor puts out 13.6v, I'll be converting the electrics to 12v as well.

All/any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Ian McBride

Post by **Dan J** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 1:17 pm

Ian - welcome on board.

If you've yet to stumble across it, the following website should make for good reading around conversion of an Enfield. I appreciate it's a different bike but I guess some of the principles are the same...

http://www.altmann.haan.de/riding_on_salad_oil/

In the meantime I'm sure some of the more knowledgeable here will have some good advice

Dan

Post by **Stuart** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:02 pm

Welcome Ian. If you want a good, balanced ride I'd try for something in the region of 20hp. Still good mpg but a good turn of speed too. I'm running a Ruggerini 850 twin and it's awesome. Tons of torque.

cossackmannie · Post by **cossackmannie** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:27 pm

I'd like to go for a bigger motor but, as my mate has a 350 Enfield, we've compared the measurements of the enfield and the Bsa C10. The enfield is very similar in construction but has around 1.5 to 2 inches more room fore and aft. Height-wise, seems to be plenty room. The old motor is a LOT heavier than expected so it might not add too much to the overall weight by fitting the diesel.

This is what a C10L looks like-

This is the starting point-

As you can see, space is at a premium. The front down tube will be modified by cutting and sleeving the tube while still using the 2 x bolt holes in the downtube to hang the front plates from.
As this motor has mounting points underneath, I'm planning on running two 2"x1" box sections bolted to under the motor. Then raising this up to get the alignment correct. From there, I'll fabricate mounting plates to fix to the front downtube and the gearbox/engine mounting plates so, in total, there'll be 4 bolts underneath with 2 front and 2 rear.
I'll then trailer the bike to a local engineer shop to have the output shaft modified to take a sprocket (I had considered going belt drive for the primary but would have increased the width). I'll be uprating the sprockets on the rear wheel,gearbox and motor to allow for the greater torque as well. I have been told the C10 gearbox will be tough enough to handle the extra torque too.
From this point, it seems to be fabricating exhaust, various brackets, wiring and electrical upgrade to 12v. I know there'll be loads more to do

Stuart-
What bike are you running the Ruggerine in? Also, Taking into account the slightly smaller dimensions of the BSA, does anyone have alternatives for the Kipor 10hp that would be similar in physical size?

Dan J- Thanks for the link

I'll be starting this project around mid June-early July as I've just come out of hospital today after an op on my foot and I've still to finish my 1981 Z750 project and then sell my 93 ZZR1100 ('Cos 180mph is booooring now!!

)

Still, plenty time to more research and pick you guys' brains!

Ian

Post by **Diesel Dave** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 9:47 pm

I'd recommend looking at a Lombardini single.

Older 6LD series units (like I have in the Enfield are much smaller in the crankcases that the later 15LD series (no balancer shaft in the earlier unit's).

6LD engines are easier to kick start too because they have 18:1 compression. It should fit easier too as in the Enfield there's enough space to run the exhaust between the engine and gearbox.

You can keep the primary narrower with the single row chain, than the Enfield too.

Make sure you fit a good head steady otherwise the vibes will get to you.

If you get one then give me a buzz about tuning tips.

Cheers
Dave

Post by **Stuart** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 11:33 am

Stuart-
What bike are you running the Ruggerine in? Also, Taking into account the slightly smaller dimensions of the BSA, does anyone have alternatives for the Kipor 10hp that would be similar in physical size

It's in a 1992 Bullet frame. See here:
http://www.dieselbike.net/ruggerfield/ruggerfield.html
Hell of a build by Colin but worth the effort.