Questions on motorcycle engine swaps into cars

[b.d.racing]

I know I don't have the skills to do this swap but I have an inquisitive mind that would like some questions answered by people who are good at fabricating. 1.) How would you make the rear axle to hold not only the sprocket but the brake rotor and wheels? Would it be like an ATV 2.) If you were using a sportbike engine how would you go about getting reverse? Thanks for any answers. I think the CRX would be a perfect platform for this, what do you think?

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[TunerN00b]

I think you would want to use an automotive transmission, and not the motorcycle transmission. Doing so eliminates both concerns you listed.

Lols at the thought of a chain driven, live axled, rwd crx...

[CRVRX]

Keep in mind Sport bike motor don't make alot of Torque just HP.
Remember torque moves mass, unless you start out with something very light you will end up with with a slower car than you started.

[xci_ed6]

Originally Posted by TunerN00b

I think you would want to use an automotive transmission, and not the motorcycle transmission. Doing so eliminates both concerns you listed.

Lols at the thought of a chain driven, live axled, rwd crx...

All modern motorcycles have unit engines, meaning the transmission is one piece with the engine.

[xci_ed6]

Originally Posted by CRVRX

Keep in mind Sport bike motor don't make alot of Torque just HP.
Remember torque moves mass, unless you start out with something very light you will end up with with a slower car than you started.

qft

[xci_ed6]

Originally Posted by b.d.racing

1.) How would you make the rear axle to hold not only the sprocket but the brake rotor and wheels? Would it be like an ATV

You would use car-type brakes, and probably not chain drive (though you can, and some cars do, such as the S600).

2.) If you were using a sportbike engine how would you go about getting reverse?

They make stuff just for that.
http://www.autotech.com/quaife/Motor...=cyclecars.htm

Thanks for any answers. I think the CRX would be a perfect platform for this, what do you think?

Probably not. RWD is the easiest. In Europe the Honda Fireblade engine is a somewhat popular powerplant for Locost builds. The engine is mounted longitudinally and an adapter is machined that replaces the sprocket with a drive shaft flange. The driveshaft runs to a standard car-type differential/axle and the additional gear reduction makes it all work.

[redboost10]

they make reverse "adapters" for some bike engines. If i remember correctly, a place in Arizona makes a little reverse box for the hyabusa trans, but they charge accordingly, thats why the hyabusa sandrail is sitting in the corner of the shop now, haha.

[xci_ed6]

**** that mang...run it. It can't be too heavy to push backwards.

[redboost10]

we have ran it, its just a pain to have to unbuckle, get out and push/pull it backwards, get back in and buckle back up, then go at it again. but yes its fun out on the dunes.

[xci_ed6]

ever think about electric reverse? old starter motor with a sprocket and a lever? Ghetto but functional.

[b.d.racing]

Some good ideas. I was saying the CRX would be a good platform intending it to be RWD. It would be a good light way to go.

[redboost10]

we have never thought about that. that would have plenty of power for soemthing this small as well. thank you

[srmofo]

Originally Posted by CRVRX

Keep in mind Sport bike motor don't make alot of Torque just HP.
Remember torque moves mass, unless you start out with something very light you will end up with with a slower car than you started.

foolish statement....obviously your not going to put it in a 4000lb buick century....I have seen busa powered chain driven rwd rabbits, although I cant find the viseo right now
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/M...in-a_62010.htm
http://www.vidmax.com/video/1849/Lit...rtbike_engine/
http://revver.com/video/832572/fiat-...-and-fiat-x19/

as for all the goodies, this will get you started....I was looking into building one until I started doing the math and realized I dont have the time, space, or money to support all of the projects I have going on right now let alone one as involved as this added to the pile

http://www.autotech.com/quaife/Motor...=cyclecars.htm
Ive got some more links somewhere, Ill have to find them though, I think they are on my other cpu... just google "motorcycle powered car" and start digging

[kmt63]

did anyone see the winner of the 24 hours of lemons rave at thunder hill on 12/28/08?it was a 90 geo metro that was converted to a front engine cbr 900.this thing was fast around the track.they even got 20 bonus laps because if the chain came off they thought it would take the drivers foot off from a small hole in the fire wall.the car used the geo diff with carriers built from steel to hold it just behind the bike motor.the diff was open and they used toilet plunjers to keep grease in it.very simple to do.it was also very reliable it ran 17 hours and no break down.its also very easy to add reverse with a ring gear and a starter motor from a toyota truck.if you google 24 hours of lemons geo metro nome you will see pics of it.i have also wanted to build a bike powered car.i had thought about getting a composit mini shell that i would have done a hyabusa in the back mid engine.tube frame.but i just didnt feel like building a whole new car.

[i drive a honda]

Originally Posted by kmt63

did anyone see the winner of the 24 hours of lemons rave at thunder hill on 12/28/08?it was a 90 geo metro that was converted to a front engine cbr 900.this thing was fast around the track.they even got 20 bonus laps because if the chain came off they thought it would take the drivers foot off from a small hole in the fire wall.the car used the geo diff with carriers built from steel to hold it just behind the bike motor.the diff was open and they used toilet plunjers to keep grease in it.very simple to do.it was also very reliable it ran 17 hours and no break down.its also very easy to add reverse with a ring gear and a starter motor from a toyota truck.if you google 24 hours of lemons geo metro nome you will see pics of it.i have also wanted to build a bike powered car.i had thought about getting a composit mini shell that i would have done a hyabusa in the back mid engine.tube frame.but i just didnt feel like building a whole new car.

gsxr1300 powered smart car for two ?

[Supahr_Ed]

Any swaps done on a FWD out there?

[spiceisler]

Originally Posted by Supahr_Ed

Any swaps done on a FWD out there?

Plenty!

http://www.westhouse.plus.com/chaindrive1.htm
http://www.16vminiclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9699

Also google "zcars". They are specialists in bike-engined Minis.

[hamsterpower]

Originally Posted by i drive a honda

gsxr1300 powered smart car for two ?

http://www.smartuki.com/

[jweller]

Originally Posted by xci_ed6

ever think about electric reverse? old starter motor with a sprocket and a lever? Ghetto but functional.

Thats how a lot of the locost builders do it.

Some Honda Gold Wings have reverse. I know thats probably not what you had in mind, but it's an option.

[xci_ed6]

I thought of a better way...kinda. It's not my idea, but I remembered it, and it's not really better, it's just neat.

Use a two stroke, and start it backwards, you will have just as many gears in reverse as forwards!

[Bailhatch]

Originally Posted by CRVRX

Keep in mind Sport bike motor don't make alot of Torque just HP.
Remember torque moves mass, unless you start out with something very light you will end up with with a slower car than you started.

Awwwww

[kmt63]

after seeing that geo metro at the lemons race i would think a crx hf with a new cbr 1000rr mounted mid ship would be rocking fast.yea there is less torque on tap but you get that car rolling and once on track those bike motors spin up very quik.the new cbr1000rr makes 178 hp and red lines at 13200 rpm and sequential shift.i think that would move a crx pretty good.if you want more put a hyabusa or a zx14 in it.

[i drive a honda]

with the torque issue, since he is keeping the chain driven drivetrain, why not a bigger sproket on his live axle?

[kmt63]

Originally Posted by i drive a honda

with the torque issue, since he is keeping the chain driven drivetrain, why not a bigger sproket on his live axle?

yea you would gear it for your intended top speed of what track you are running at for the best pull out of corners.or pick a good all around gear for the street.

[coastertrav]

Funny this thread comes up now.

I have acquired a free crx and gsxr 1000, and plan on entering the 24 hrs of Lemons with it (under $500 racecar).

The motor is going to sit backwards in the engine bay, and go to a diff/reverse drive housing to get the wheels to spin the right way. The car probably won't be that fast when compared to some other options, but when you have the ability and the parts, why not? Grassroots Motorsports just did an article on one of their project cars that pertains to just this idea.