Private Diesel Motorcycle Conversions (by Engine A-H)
BLAINE'S ACME DIESEL YAMAHA
Blaine's bike is made from a 1982 Yamaha 185. He has fitted an Acme diesel generator engine ADX 300 (300cc) that puts out 8hp. A TAV 20 Torque convertor has been used for the drive. The machine is I guess finished by now, Blaine having last told me he was looking to fit the exhaust and fuel filter lines. More details if and when they come.
DIESEL one-of-a kind Motorcycle (Blaines bike again?? Looks like it to me!)
1982 Yamaha exciter 185 motorcycle frame with a diesel Acme Motori ADX370 engine (Main features: one cylinder diesel engine - 4 stroke - direct injection - forced air cooling - forced lubrication - dry air cleaner - automatic centrifugal speed governor - automatic fuel supplement - automatic self bleeding fuel device – pull rope start, the kind you wind up every time - anticlockwise rotation, INFO: http://www.almotori.co.za/main.html ). Comes with a Comet Automatic Torque Converter (The Comet Asymmetric concept operates on an in-line principal with the torque sensing cam in an outboard attitude. Only this system is designed to operate this way, thus makes it possible to force the belt to a diameter within the drive clutch (at high RPM) that exceeds the usual 1:1 ratio of standard systems. The TAV2 can actually attain an .90:1 or 10% overdrive. This make for very smooth acceleration. See more at: http://www.hoffcocomet.com/comet/pdf/162608a-tav2-30-new.pdf ).
Maximum horsepower is 7.1 at 3600 rpm’s, which moves the bike at 50 mph max; excellent on fuel consumption. This bike is good for someone who loves diesels, not meant for someone who just loves the idea of a diesel motorcycle, but, it does turn a lot of heads. The frame is very old with some rust, not in great condition, but runs very well. AS IS with no warranties. Mileage is exempt/unknown. Street legal and ready to run.
ARIEL Diesel Motorcycle
I am again grateful to the guys at R.M.C.S for sending me this article (amongst others) on a diesel powered Ariel produced by Gordon Glover, aged 24, in the late 1950's. The bike started life as a 350cc O.H.V. twin port machine. The cylinder barrel was re-sleeved to a bore of 67mm to give the bottom end an easier time of it. An old aluminium piston was strengthened and reshaped to a degree and machined down to fit the barrel. The air inlet is extended beyond the cylinder head thus giving a turbo effect when moving and to help cold weather starting, an ether pipe has been positioned to drip spirit into this intake.
Gordon Glover astride his 300cc diesel Ariel.
The bike had a top speed of 70mph and fuel consumption was between 120 and 130 mpg
On the timing side one can see the home-made air filter fitted to the inlet flange and the end of the arc welded cam box of the injection pump fitted in place of the original Magdyno.
Visible on the drive side are the cylindrical fuel filter and injector in place of the sparking plug. Read the full article here.
Suzuki Changfa Diesel Motorcycle
Many thanks to Jerry James who recently let me know of his Suzuki based machine. The GS550L now sports an 8.8HP 6.5kw Air cooled Changfa Generator motor and uses a torque converter to drive the rear wheel. Engine is a CF186F unit. You can view more images and video of this Jerry thrashing about on his bike here.Great stuff!
A nice shot of the bike just showing the rear of that torque coverter in there.
Allan's MZ Changfa Diesel Bike
Last year I started building a brand new Changfa 186, single cyl, 400 cc, 10hp diesel in a frame of a MZ ETZ 250. It is now running, but needs the last 20 hrs finish. The drive is a Comet 44 series Torque Converter. Works well. Top speed about 90 km/h, and holds 70 km/h as avarage cruise speed. Frame is made 40 mm longer to fit the engine.
See bigger pics here :- www.treskelgaard.com/bikes/1.jpg, www.treskelgaard.com/bikes/2.jpg, www.treskelgaard.com/bikes/3.jpgThe price is 1350 EUR, and you pick it up at my place near Aalborg in Denmark
Best regards
Allan Korup
Allan Korup's Changfa MZ Diesel Motorcycle.
Mouse's Diesel Motorcycle
The project is based on a Motorenwerk Cunewalde 2VD 8/8 - 2SVL engine, which is German and made in 1974. It is 800cc V twin air cooled and rated at 15PS on the engine plate. Its engine plate also states it weigh 125kg but I kind of suspect it is a bit more than that. Frame is from a BMW R80.
Checkout the build thread on the forum - it's VERY informative!
This build has caused Mouse a headache or two but he's stuck with it and it's now on the road. Well done!
Jan Vegter's Changfa Royal Enfield.
This machine started out it's life fitted with a Greaves engine but Jan tells me it was in poor condition and the 296cc Chanfa (6hp) was fitted instead. Apparently this bike dates from 1975 and was originally owned by MZ. Some frame alterations were made in this time before it belonged to the present owner. Jan can be contacted via the Brons Website. These guys supplied me with info regarding the very first diesel bike built in 1904 and seen elsewhere on this site.
A Diesel Royal Enfield with an MZ connection somewhere in its past.
The HSC 1360cc
This machine made its first appearance at the 2004 Rally. The engine is a Citroen 1360cc diesel lump whilst I believe the Gearbox and frame maybe Honda.
The HCS. A contender for best bike at the 2004 Rally.
Michael Breoker's Daihatsu Turbo BMW K100.
An excellently crafted machine and a regular at all the recent dieselbike rallies in Hamm.
Avery's Diesel Motorcycle
Details concerning Avery's Motorcycle
It's based on the Daihatsu D950 3 cylinder industrial engine. A BMW 5-speed gearbox and shaft drive are being used. Notice I have retained the engine driven fan (it increases the *gawk* factor!). The radiator is from a Kawasaki 1500cc cruiser. When this picture was taken, the downtubes had just been welded onto the steering head. The right rear section of the frame aft of the bellhousing is a rough prototype constructed from exhaust tubing. I use the Eyeball Design principle, so there is a lot of trial assembly that you see here to determine what *looks right*. Please note the picture has been touched up slightly to remove the jackstands from beneath the rear of the frame and the blocks holding up the rear fender! Early Harley Sportster fenders will be used, not the BMW fenders shown here. Wheelbase is a reasonable 61.5 inches.
1) The exhaust system is a 1-into-2 system ending in Harley Sportster mufflers. The flex tubing used for the exhaust headers was for development
and display purposes only. Intake and exhaust manifolds have yet to be fabricated.2) The seat and tank shown are constructed of foam for development and display purposes. The final versions of both will be slightly different than shown
e.g. larger tank (est. 400 mile range).3) The bike is being constructed as a mild cruiser; it has a feet forward riding position a la Harley but retains the 27 degree rake of the BMW fork.
4) BMW drive train coupled to a 26.8 hp Daihatsu D950 industrial engine. The engine governor will be left undisturbed, permitting a top speed of about 60
miles per hour at 3600 RPM. If the bike performs as expected, I hope to obtain 1.35:1 gears for the gearbox from Wolfgang Kayser in Germany which
will result in a maximum speed of 70 mph. Dave Hubbard and Sam Mayberry in the USA (Daihatsu powered BMWs) suggest the engine can handle the taller ratio.5) Radiator is NOS for a Kawasaki Mean Streak. By using the original belt drive cooling fan instead of an electric fan, I was able to keep the wheel
base to 61.75 in.Updated details.
The Fuel tank has been intentionally designed with no curved sections. It will be fitted with a teardrop styled composite cover. This allows the shape of the tank to be changed simply by fabricating a new cover. The tank has three Colder quick disconnects to allow removal without any air getting into the lines. The exhaust headers will be fitted with heat shields. A 6 inch sample is fitted in front of the left muffler. The round thingie under the nose of the seat is the signal generator for the electronic speedo.Temporary seat is a repro for pre 1970 BMWs. A custom solo bench seat is planned.
The Motorcycle is very narrow, the widest point below the handlebars is 18 inches at the alternator. Radiator will be fitted with a fascia, a shroud will cover the alternator.Harley Sportster air cleaner cover isn't. It is a non-Harley part used to cover the fuel injection pump. The air filter is located behind the engine. The only HD parts on the notorcycle are the mufflers which are very rarely seen on a Harley. These ones were used for less than one mile, I paid $60 for the pair. British repro tail light. BMW. The headlight, signal lights, controls, cables, mirrors, and wiring harness are BMW.
John's Daihatsu 1000cc turbo- Dnepr conversion
Checkout all the build information for John's Daihatsu Dnepr conversion on the website forum bike building group.
Johnfireballs Daihatsu Dnepr conversion.
BMW K100 Diesel Motorcycle
A stunning BMW K100 fitted with a Daihatsu 1000cc turbo engine. Shaft driven, surely this machine is a bluprint for how diesel motorcycles of the future should be presented. This bike is a regular at the rally and comes from Holland.
A nice big close-up of this nice looking bike. Now pink by the way.OCC Diesel ChopperThose guys at OCC finnally came round to our way of thinking and built a Diesel powered Motorcycle. I've not seen the show yet but the engine is a Briggs and Stratton Vanguard Diesel Engine. Horsepower is 34.0. 3/LC Turbor Diesel. Crankshaft Orientation: Horizontal Shaft 3 Cylinder.Paul Snr on stage with his creation. Guy's, if this crew think it's ok to build a Diesel Bike then we must be making progress right?Dave Hubbards 1986 Daihatsu/Briggs BMW Diesel Motorcycle
Dave Hubbards Finished machine.
David Hubbard from Wellsburg WV started with a 1986 R80RTand installed a 26.8 HP Daihatsu/Briggs D950 Industrial engine. Bellhousing is made from a propane cylinder top, transmission top gear -1.35:1 from Wolfgang Kayser in germany. Bike does 70 MPH + with two riders burning used fryer grease (homemade Biodiesel).It has three radiators for cooling and the frame separates in half to service the engine. Thanks for the updated details, Dave.
I have re-posted a picture of this bike under construction to help those of you considering a build.
Terry Martin's Diesel Harley
Below we see Terry Martin's 1977 Harley Davidson Diesel Softail FXRS. The engine is a 950cc Briggs & Stratton/Daihatsu. Many thanks to Terry for supplying the details below.
I'm a diesel mechanic and have wanted to build a diesel bike for several years, but the diesels with enough power to be road worthy were to heavy. After Yanmar, Kubota etc. started building minidiesels I started checking the horsepower and torque of the engines and planning on how to attach it to a bike. My first engine was Kubota, but I was disappointed with the performance. Top speed was about 60mph with no passing power. I then found the Briggs and Stratton engine(Diahatsu). This engine performs great. It will carry me (270lbs) and my wife at 65mph with plenty of power to pass. Top speed 82. The gearing in the bike is the same as a Harley Davidson softail as a matter of fact the primary belt drive, transmission and frame is Harley Davidson aftermarket parts.
Daihatsu Guzzi
This machine, formerly of the Carabineri made it's first showing at the Rally in 2004. Not sure what gearbox is used.
The Cortenbach Diesel
I am indebted to Jurgen Schuster for supplying me with details of his Turbocharged Cortenbach motorcycle. This machine is powered by a 1000cc turbocharged Daihatsu engine that developes up to 45 hp. It consumes 3.4 ltr per 100km, runs equally well on jet-fuel or plant oil and has so far superceeded all expectations.The frame is pure Moto Guzzi.
The Cortenbach on the open road.
Recent modifications mean the front drum brake has been replaced with two disk units. I am told that if more funds were available then we could possibly see more of these bikes being made. The more modern machines would be likely to generate between 60-90 hp and consume 2-2.5 litres per 100 km.
Jurgen pictured with his Cortenbach Diesel Machine. Pictures from Motorrad.
Johnny's Daihatsu Diesel Motorcycle
To find out more about Johnny's bike you can vist a website which gives details of all the German Daihatsu conversions. Johhny tells me he decided to get his bike registered in England (see the plate) so as to simplify the matter. It is about 9 years old and the 1000cc engine is housed in a Dnepr frame. The website is no longer live unfortunately: extremedieselbiking.de.
Andreas Daihatsu Ural Diesel Motorcycle
Andreas Werle's Ural based machine develops 34bhp from its 1000 cc Daihatsu engine. Andreas, like his German friends, does not fear travelling on his machine and has attended the Diesel Bike Rally in Hamm these last 2 years.
Wolfgangs Daihatsu Ural Diesel Motorcycle
Like Andreas, Wolfgang has developed a Ural based machine. I saw it at the 2002 Rally and the wiring has since been improved :-)
Wolfgangs Daihatsu complete with sidecar.
Daihatsu Diesel Motorcycle and Sidecar
This machine made its first appearance at the 2003 Rally. It has a 3 cylinder Daihatsu 1000cc turbo'd motor which is fitted into a Honda Bol'd'Or frame.
It's hard to tell this was once a Honda Bol'd'Or. See insert for front view of bike.Detroit Diesel Motorcycle
Apparently this American motorcycle has a Detriot Diesel in it. I'm not sure about the frame though.
Duetz Powered Motorcycle
He we have a Diesel powered Duetz machine built by Mick Corse. The drivetrain is almost an exact copy of a Boss Hoss. The Boss Hoss is a bike normally powered by a Chevrolet V-8 engine and made Stateside.
The Duetz powered Diesel motorcycle built by Mick Corse.
Eisenherz Diesel-AWO
Like Ola's Ratbike, elswhere on this site, this machine also uses a Farymann Diesel engine. This one is 242cc with a power output of 4.3kw. The frame is AWO 425 T.
You can contact the builder, Lars, here 0171-7154371.
Ford Based Diesel Motorcycle from Germany.
Thanks to Rafael who runs the German site dedicated to diesel motorcycles for this information (see links page).This bike was built by Sven in Germany and is powered by a 1.8 TD engine taken from a ford Escort. It produces about 90HP and the whole outfit, including side car, weighs in at 600kgs. Top speed is in the region of 150km/h.
Svens Ford based Diesel motorcycle complete with side car.
Gaz's Ford Diesel Bike
Here we have a shot of the first Diesel Bike built by Gaz (builder of two diesel choppers). Picture comes curtesy of Diesel Dave. Details are as follows: The engine is a Ford 1.6 Diesel with a Ford 5 speed box (although he may swap this for a Ford CVT box). Final Drive is a welded up differential woth Jap shaftie rear end. Frame - actually there isn't one (say Dave)... The headstock bolts to the cylinder block and also acts as the inlet manifold. The rear bolts to the back of the block.The bike was originally attached to a sidecar - actually a cut down Reliant. It was built some ten years ago.
Matchless Diesel Motorcycles
After Building his Petter Ambassador machine Ernie Dorsett went on to put a Fuji Robin DY30 engine (kindly lent by Roger Kimbell & Paul Holdsworth, Directors of Robin Redbreast Industries) into a Matchless frame. This particular engine has a capacity of 299cc and produces 5.5 BHP. Max RPM is 3600 while bore and stroke are 76mm x 66mm respectively. Compression is 21:1. Frame used was from a 1952 model.Wheels,forks and gearbox are all from 1960 while tank is 62/63. The Robin silencer was retained and can clearly be seen behind and to the side of the engine.
Here is Ernie Dorsett with his second Matchless machine. This machine was fitted with the larger DY41 engine, 412cc which produces 8.5 BHP at 3600RPM. This unit was used on the Later Royal Enfield models. Again this engine was donated by Robin for the project. The frame is a G3.
The 2nd Matchless/AJS framed Diesel Motorcycle from Ernie Dorsett.
Treven Bakers Hatz Powered Diesel Motorcycle
I am grateful to Treven for sending me details of his build. He says..."I have wanted a diesel bike for about 20 years. I finally built it and got it on the road today. I bought the frame and trans adapter from Dave Emmons along with lots of helpful tips and ideas. The rest came from ebay or my back yard. The head light is WWII US Navy IHC parts truck I have. The forks and front wheel are BMW. The front shocks are the old rear shocks from my KZ550 I cut up. It has 1 to 1 high gear in the trans and 3.5 in the final giving me about 68 MPH at 3,000 RPM and it will do it with ease. Thanks for your website for inspiration! I'm in Craig Vetter's fuel economy race on Friday so I still have some long nights to finish all the wiring and some details."
Treven
Treven with his newly built Hatz Diesel Motorcycle.
Sonke's New Hatz DieselBike
Following on from his Gustav motorcycle (see here) here we see a couple of shots of Sonke's latest dieselbike built around a Hatz engine. It's called the 'Frugal Mule'.
The Gustav
This is the Gustav at Hamm in 2008, a bike we had not seen before. Built by Soenke Techau and named after his Grandfather's who had taught him engineering, this bike used a 10hp D.I. 418cc Yanmar clone engine. Painted with a matt grey/black mix it was fitted with a small torque converter (Comet 40/44) and has a top speed of 90Km. The bike was running on bio-diesel and consumed 2.8 litres per 100Km. I was also shown the documentation on which I could see that the exhaust silencer was licensed only to this bike on account of it also being self-made. Remarkably, the alternator was self wound with twice the original amount of windings. The bike was built around a Kawasaki GPZ900R and has an electric start. I had the pleasure of riding this bike and found that to ride without a clutch was a new and I have to say liberating experience for me. When my own bike, the Ruggerfield, was stuck in mile after mile of motorway traffic heading for Hamm, I wished I could have had the luxury of no clutch! The whole project took Soenke 9 months to complete.
Mike's Honda CB232D Hatz Diesel Motorcycle
Over the past year and half I have planned, bought parts for, and built my motorcycle. And now I finally have it on the road. A short description is as follows:
The bike is a 1980 Honda CB125, the original petrol engine blew after only 2800miles of abuse. I would say the bike was perfect for my use. I purchased a Hatz 1B20 diesel on closeout sale from northern tool and equipment for a good price. I also purchased a Comet Industries TAV2 torq-a-verter transmission (assymetrical CVT, with built-in clutch). In Dec of 2008, I took 3 days to mount the engine and transmission in the frame. I made a front motor plate, reinforced the down-tube, and made rear engine mounts. The drive sprocket lines up nicely with the rear sprocket. I spent spare time in january of 2009, disassembling engine and cleaning fuel system, engine sat for at least 5 years with fuel in it, varnish on all pump and injector components. In Feb of 2009, I took some time and made foot pegs, hooked up throttle, put on chain, and took care of basic maintenance on the bike (replace front brake cable, change tubes/tires, adjust brakes). Just a few days ago, the weather was nice enough to go for a test ride. The bike runs great. I choose the name CB232D, to reflect the displacement of the new engine, and diesel fuel. There are still some things to do including: proper exhaust, wiring bike (hand start right now), hand grip engine kill, and tuning the gear ratio/transmission for best performance. At the moment acceleration is "gradual". No top speed or mileage data yet. if there is snow, it is too cold for extended riding!
Mike L.
Out for a test ride!
A mock-up of Mike's Honda just before the engine was fitted.
Hatz Moto Guzzi
Here we see Claude Baudin's Hatz powered Moto Guzzi. Claude finished the bike in early 2008 and has already attended a rally in North Carolina where the bike got plenty of attention. He rode 300 miles on half of a 6 gallon tank! And with his homemade biodiesel costing him US $.65/gallon... that ride was less than 2$ in fuel.
Hatz Ural Motorcycle
I'm grateful to Dave for sending me this picture and details forwarded onto him from Alaska. Ural Dealer Pete Marsh has managed to fit a Hatz 2G40 Diesel engine into his two wheel drive Ural motorcycle. I guess two wheel drive is essential for any machine used in these kinds of conditions and the diesel's torque would be ideal as long as it doesn't wax up from the cold.
Alaskan Ural Dealer Pete Marsh stands beside his Diesel Powered Ural motorcycle.
Patrick Cramer's Hatz Ural Diesel Motorcycle
It was a pleasure to meet Patrick Cramer for the first time in Hamm 2009 and I thank him for telling me about his homemade motorcycle. Based around a 1970's Ural he constructed it 3 years ago sourcing extra parts from Ural-Hamburg. He used the original gearbox and fitted it to a Hatz 462cc engine more commonly found on the machine's produced by Jocken Sommer.
Patrick told me he also used the original shaft drive but changed the cogs at the rear wheel to the second largest setup possibly 10-30 or 40. He also said the machine attended the recent dieselbike event in France. He has also been to the UK rally on this bike.
The EGLI Diesel Motorcycle
I've put this machine in the Private section because it appears to be a 'one off' even though it has been build by the Swiss Motorcycle dealers Egli. The engine is a Hatz 2G40 997cc lump but I'm not sure about the frame which I think is of Russian origin.
A rare Swiss build Diesel Motorcycle.
BMW Diesel Motorcycle
Alois Lorenz has produced a Diesel Powered machine by using an old Hatz E673 type engine. It produces 6hp having a capacity of 28cc. The frame is BMW S R 25/3 and was made in 1955.
An elegant looking BMW Diesel Bike with an Old Hatz engine.
HATZ AWO
We saw this machine for the first time at the 2004 Rally in Hamm. The frame, drive and gearbox are AWO whilst the front is Hatz. The Cyclinder is Homemade. I do not know the CC of this machine but it is very attractive looking machine.
The Hatz AWO at 2004 Rally.
HATZ 1000cc
Here we see a Hatz 1000cc machine which looks like a private build similar to the LOEW machine.
A Hatz 1000cc machine. A machine with huge amounts of pulling power.
The Hatz 'Diesel Max' Motorcycle and Sidecar
A regular at the Hamm rally now, Thomas Weis from Kirchdaun comes on his wonderful blue NSU 'Diesel Max' machine. The bike has an old Hatz engine at its core and a pretty unusual one at that. I was particularly taken with trying to work out the route the air took over the cyclinder. It has no fins, just an outer sleeve with many internal holes. I thought the air was blown over it but I'm told it may be sucked.
Big picture from 2002 rally while the smaller is from 2003. Some alterations evident on primary drive side.The ZuendHatz Diesel Motorcycle
I think there are two of this motorcycle. It consists of a Hatz single cylinder engine which has been fitted into a Zündapp DB 200 frame from 1948. Transmission is from a DKW.
A very nice looking 'Vintage' Diesel Motorcycle.
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