Would ths work at all?

[akumabito]

Just an idea I've had recently.. I have no idea if this is even remotely feasible, so I'm hoping to get some input from you guys.. How about starting with an automotive diesel engine, forget about a transmission altogether and just use a torque converter off an automatic transmission, coupled to either a right-angle gearbox, or a car's differential, with chain drive to the rear wheel. I don't know if this would get you off the line without stalling the engine, achieve a reasonable acceleration, and provide a top speed suitable for highway cruising without revving the engine too high..

if it would work, it seems Mercedes would make for a perfect donor - reasonably powerful inline 4, 5 even 6 cylinder diesel engines, and all came with auto-trans as standard or factory option.

Thoughts? (It's ok to say I'm nuts - I'm used to it.. )

[LocomotiveBreath]

Your not nuts at all, I put a centrifugal clutch in my Honda, one speed. I think there are a couple of car engines with torque converters, there's that Deutz Diesel bike somewhere in the Dieselbike.net archives with that configuration.

Your not nuts, your thinking, good at you!

Dave

[akumabito]

Hmm.. no Neutral though..

*back to the drawing board*

[XLerate]

Yes, like Dave says. I've got a centrifugal clutch & auto trans in my little Honda ATC110. For all intents & purposes it seems it wouldn't absolutely need a neutral, that whenever rpm's drop enough it's free wheeling anyway.

I was riding it yesterday and went to a friend's house. When I started it to leave it stalled as I pulled away, so a restart. Thought it was in neutral, pushed it around some, started it. Wanted to give some gas to rev up the engine & clean it out, then found that it was in 1st gear! I don't really know why the things even have a neutral??? Not needed far as I can see.

[akumabito]

Centrifugal clutch is different though..no forward creep when you release the brakes. Not unless you apply more throttle, anyway. And I don't think they make centrifugal clutches strong enough to be used on a car engine..

I'm just thinking of getting a RWD diesel vehicle with an automatic transmission (such as a Mercedes), then just unbolt the transmission and replace it with a 90 degree box.. I think with all the excess weight of the car removed, the thing just wants to GO. And without a neutral gear, you'd pretty much have to apply the brakes the whole time you are stopped. And if you ever want to move the bike back, you'd have to turn off the engine altogether, lol..

I just have this insane vision of straddling a straigh-six diesel..

Anyhow.. maybe a mount for a BMW or Moto Guzzi transmission could be franken-fabbed, but I wonder if the whole thing would get too long..

[XLerate]

I think you're about 1/2 nuts, but then I admire that in a person hah!

I see what you mean about the 'creep', my '90 Dodge W350 Ram has automatic and yes, it creeps without brake applied.

That sounds like one exciting build! I'm working on a trike build with a 34-36 hp Daihatsu turbo diesel & 6 speed, because I need more power than the little 10 hp vari-belt machines. I wouldn't mind 50-60 hp at all.

You might consider a trike for such a build with a big Merc? Might be able to run power right into a shaft drive? Sure a whole lot of fun on 3 wheels!