Springet engine idea?...

[anarchy99]

So me and my brother, the same one that helped me put the SBC into the sprite, we're looking at the sprite engine, the original one, sitting on the shelf and were wondering... Has anyone ever built a motorcycle out of one. It seems to be the same dimensions as a v twin so it wouldn't be too out of the norm but it's sitting on the shelf and seems to be begging for that sort of thing

 

[HealeyRick]

Never seen one, but I always remember thinking how funny it was as a teenager when an Electra-Glide would pull up next to my Bugeye and I'd realize he had a bigger engine than me.

 

[CLEAH]

Other than the problems of enormous weight and what to do for a transmission, it sounds pretty wild!

 

[anarchy99]

I guess the weight is pretty comparable, the v twin engine I've got sitting here is about the same granted the v twin has a transmission already on it but it can't be that hard to adapt something... The idea would be world war 2 style olive drab, etc... I think it would be pretty cool... At the very least, something different.

 

[drooartz]

I'd love to see it!

The A-series engine isn't particularly light or powerful for its size (either physical or swept capacity) so as a good candidate for a motorcycle it's a fail. That's not necessarily a good reason not to proceed though! If you enjoy the fabrication challenge then dive right on in. :grin:

And make sure you post about it, I'd love to follow along. I'm not much of an engineer myself and always enjoy watching other folks figure these sort of things out.

 

[CLEAH]

I guess the weight is pretty comparable, the v twin engine I've got sitting here is about the same granted the v twin has a transmission already on it but it can't be that hard to adapt something... The idea would be world war 2 style olive drab, etc... I think it would be pretty cool... At the very least, something different.

A little bit of searching around reveals that a v-twin weighs in at 160 pounds and a 1275 with transmission is 330 pounds. I was just moving the rib case under my bench today and can say that it does not weigh much. I did not try picking up the 1275 next to it!

 

[nomad]

Hey, they put V8's in motorcycles....anything is possible but if you are going to the trouble why not a Rotax 800cc direct injected two stroke. Light and 160HP!! I'd like to put one in a Berkeley!!

Kurt.

 

[Bayless]

A friend is building a bike around a Jag V12. Monster looking thing. So I suppose anything is possible.

 

[JPSmit]

A friend is building a bike around a Jag V12. Monster looking thing. So I suppose anything is possible.

He must have very very small ummm feet. ;p

 

[Bayless]

If a man's brains were as big as his b... Well, you know.

 

[anarchy99]

I was mainly just thinking of ideas. I have access to a tubing bender and fab stuff, but the tranny would be the only weird part I think. I may look into that part a little bit more and see. I realize there are better engine ideas out there just looking to try something different with stuff I have lying around.

 

[drooartz]

The best hot rods were made with what was lying around.

Me, I'd take that little A-series and make some sort of gokart/classic speedster/racer out of it (think Model-T speedster). Keep the weight super low and the performance should be pretty fun. Tube chassis, single seat. Maybe a tiny Indy roadster.

Wish I had fabrication skills, but then the last thing I need is more projects.

 

[Rut]

Belly tank car!
Rut

 

[CLEAH]

Or to continue Drew's thinking, a very small, single seat sand rail.

 

[drooartz]

Belly tank car!
Rut

That would be cool, especially if you're in a state where you could get it road registered. How fun to drive down main street. :grin:

 

[Trevor Jessie]

There was some little A-series racer that had the drive train at an angle and an offset diff. This allowed for a low and narrow single seat racer. Anyone have the link?

 

[aeronca65t]

If it were me I'd find a ratty Midget with a bad or missing motor and make a "parts chaser" out of it. That's what I did with a spare 948 engine I had.

My car was a mix-n-match of all sorts of old British parts I had laying about. Old steel wheels and dog dish hubcaps I had stashed. Crappy seats I duct taped back together. An old top I've been saving, etc.
Roller painted with Tractor Supply paint to get all the various body parts the same colour.

Not including the tires, I have about $200 in it. Only has 35 horsepower but runs great and is fun to drive.