Help needed with an Enfield conversion in Raleigh NC!

[michigandon]

My 2007 Classic just lost compression and left me stranded...AGAIN ...and the Mrs sez I shoud just go ahead and convert it like I originally intended to do one day anyways. What would be the easiest/quickest way to do so? It appears as though most of the Yanmar/Yanmar clone singles are four speed bikes. Is it possible to do a 5 speed?

What I would really like to do is a Beckedorf/Punsun conversion, however I've been able to find very little info on it in English.

Any advice and assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Don

[Sphere]

I think there is a V2 dealer in the US that sells them for reasonable prices. He's on the forum here. Otherwise buy an L100 here: https://www.dieselbikeforum.com/view ... f=5&t=1396

To be honest I think the V2 might be a bit heavy/vibrate a bit heavily for a single-tube frame like an Enfield. But don't take my word for it. I looked at a V2 conversion at first, but these engines just aren't available in my part of Europe.

[sbrumby]

I am not the expert with enfields, but i dont think there is a problem converting 4 or 5 speed as the boxes take up the same space. One question, yours is pre unit construction? (separate box). Because the latest bikes are no beter than any other bike for conversion. On the question about the punsen, there is an issue about reliability, breaking cranks etc. There is also the weight question and brakes for it. The enfield is a 1950`s bike with a single downtube, reliability will certainly be there with a yan or clone. Hope this helps.

[coachgeo]

Lets be honest, in general an Enfield might as well be "made in china" Everything about them is marginal. BRAKES, bearings etc. There for do NOT put an engine in that bike, diesel or otherwise that will raise it to higher speeds, put more forces on it etc. with out upgrading components to compensate. Most put a similar size diesel in there or smaller than the petrol one that was in it. IMHO a heavy twin is too much but Im just guessing based on marginal information

[michigandon]

OK, so you guys just talked me into going with a 10HP single. Cheaper and easier to come by, and the wife also said I could buy another bike for when I wanted to travel at freeway speeds anyways (she has an Electra and a VN750 herself ). I was told that the Price Part conversion only works with a 4-speed RH shift bike. Is this true? Would like to make this as "bolt in" as possible as my access to machining facilities are somewhat limited at the present time.

@sbrumby: my bike is indeed a "pre-unit" machine, athough I do like the looks of the new UCE C5s.

[Sphere]

Just make sure you can be happy with 50mph before converting it. So if you cruise down secondary roads, it should be fine.

[Dan J]

Hi Don. Welcome to the forum.

I have a PricePart conversion Enfield. Given the large gap between third and fourth gear I did investigate having a 5-speed gearbox. The problem is the 5-speed is just slightly wider than the 4 and it would foul the engine casing which doesn't look easily modifiable - so basically standard PricePart (or Altmann as it's essentially the same thing) conversion the 5-speed will not fit.

So... you have a couple of options.

1. Use a Greaves/Lombardini engine instead, no problems fitting the 5-speed with this - though get a 400cc as anything smaller will be abysmally slow
2. Use the 4-speed unit but use the closer ratio gear set from Hitchcock's to even things up a bit
3. Use the standard 4-speed unit and as soon as Hitchcock's release their 5-speed conversion (it's due out later in 2010 and apparently slots into the original gearbox) put that in - although it's likely to be eye-wateringly expensive
4. Use the original 4-speed unit as it is and just get on with life

I chose number 4 The gap 3rd to 4th can be a nuisance sometimes but with an 18-tooth sprocket the bike will cruise at 55mph with no problems, will hit 60 eventually and suits me just fine. So why not try that and see how you get on? You can start doing the expensive stuff later if it doesn't suit...

[Sphere]

Dan, for option 4) he has to buy a new gearbox. Which, depending on your contacts, can be expensive.

[michigandon]

Yes, I currently have a 5 speed bike as a basis, and downgrading to a 4 speed just doesn't make any sense to me.

I have no objections to using a Lobardini engine either. And to think that I had a generator fitted with one that I sold right before I moved. Auugh!

[coachgeo]

Option #6. go with a Ultima Tranny if the size is better fit? (shameless plug.... I got one for sale) or with a CVT and a jackshaft.

[Crazymanneil]

michigandon, check your email address settings on the board. It is bouncing some stuff saying it is undeliverable.

Cheers,

N

[Diesel Dave]

I had a 5 speeder in my Enfield for 4 years - it's a great gearbox in RH shift mode.

Dan's right though as the casing extends forwards so neither the Yanmar or the Hatz IB40 will fit.

A Lombardini 6LD400 will be the best option, then you can mail order all the parts you need including engine mountings from India.

It will vibrate more than the Hatz/Yanmar as there is no balancer shaft but it's ok so long as you have a solid head steady.

There is a 435cc unit but it's a bit vibey and harder to start.

You need:

Lombardini 6LD400 with 1" keyway shaft
Front and rear engine mountings
Inner primary casing (diesel specific)
Extended gearbox mainshaft

[coachgeo]

...

Dan's right though as the casing extends forwards so neither the Yanmar or the Hatz IB40 will fit.

A Lombardini 6LD400 will be the best option,...

if Im not mistaken this engine, as is any Lombardini, is very hard to impossible to get in the USA at a price even close to reasonable, if you can even find one. some of the Lombardini line is sold under the name of Kohler in the USA. numbers are similar... just with a "K" in front. If????? Kohler has this model available in USA that would make it something like 6KLD400 or K6LD400 etc.

[Diesel Dave]

I'll recognise one from a picture if you have a link?

[oldbmw]

It might be possible to get extra room using a five speed box.

check this out carefully but I think this is possible.

remove the front bit of the rh outer and inner case which is what fouls bigger engines, and weld up enough material to close the box.
Inside the box at the bottom on the rear side of the vertical lift connector is a nut on a bolt. Rework this to be a pivot point and drive the vertical connector from the rear not the front. you will need to machine a hole from the reworked nut/stud to carry a hollow gearshift rod through the outer case.

[Diesel Dave]

Hi Larry,

Anythings possible...

You could also mount the engine further forwards and extend the primary chain.

The primary case should have enough room as you don't need the alternator.

DD

[coachgeo]

or get rid of a gear box and go with CVT to jackshaft w/sprocket that drives primary chain. Whala... problem solved.

[michigandon]

or get rid of a gear box and go with CVT to jackshaft w/sprocket that drives primary chain. Whala... problem solved.

Sorry, but I want a motorcycle, NOT a minibike. Thank you very much.

[michigandon]

Could this engine be used?

http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/grd/1884157207.html

[DieselDan]

Hey Don

Looks like the right motor you've found

similar to this one


5 Speeder

[Diesel Dave]

It's the right motor but there appears to be a load of extra crap attached to it........

For ease of fitting and to lighten it up - bin the electric starter, and the heater plug unless you live in Alaska. (there is a port for WD40 assist starting anyways)

You have a wierd sump attached too, normally this is a little steel box no wider than the cases, if you can't get one locally drop me a line and I'll post one over. The only other type I've seen is the deep alloy finned version for extended service running on the B1 varient (BTW if it is the B1 then it has extra silencing in the engine shrouds and more importantly and injection system that incorporates a retard for less than half throttle running so it has a quiet idle and a little more torque low down)

There are 2 sizes of alternator but even the 4 amp is enough if your carefull and use LED's

A close up of the engine plate would help

[coachgeo]

are not their new China Clone versions of that engine all over Ebay and craigslist

[michigandon]

are not their new China Clone versions of that engine all over Ebay and craigslist

Those are copies of Yanmars, not Lombardinis.

[michigandon]

Hey Don

5 Speeder

Here's another question...am I correct in assuming that I will have to convert to RH shift? I'm not dead-set against that mind you, but it would have been my personal preference to retain the LH shift.

[Diesel Dave]

There's nothing in the way of using the LH shift, you will need to drill and oil seal the primary case (the Bullet 65 version is different and you cannot get a diesel type inner casing).

Also the rear engine mounting will need to be drilled and bushed.

Nothing too difficult.