Question... Bike Engine, Shaft driven, mid engine kit....

[cps13]

Just researching my next project, going to be building something with a bike engine which I haven't done before.

I want to build a completely custom single seater, is it possible to mount and bike engine (i would assume rotated 90 degrees from is usual orientation) behind the driver and using a short prop shaft mount it to something like a sierra diff?

Not wanting to put a reverse gear in it which should take away some complications.

Cheers,

[spyder dryver]

I remember seeing something like this involving a Midtec Spyder and a V-twin.
If you propose using a four cylinder then you end up with quite a long drivetrain, depending on prop length.
Using a short prop (or no prop) would also offset the engine quite a lot which could be problematic in a narrow single seater chassis.
Why not leave the engine mounted sideways and use a chain drive?

[Russ Bost]

It's exactly what they do with the Spire

[Steve_D]

cps13 said:

....Not wanting to put a reverse gear in it which should take away some complications.

Cheers,

Reverse will be required if you want to put it on the road.

Steve

[Sam_68]

Steve_D said:

Reverse will be required if you want to put it on the road.

...though you could potentially contrive an electric reverse, with a starter motor piggy-backed over the diff, driving a gear sandwiched between the diff input flange and the 'propshaft' flange/coupling.

[cps13]

Sam_68 said:

Steve_D said:

Reverse will be required if you want to put it on the road.

...though you could potentially contrive an electric reverse, with a starter motor piggy-backed over the diff, driving a gear sandwiched between the diff input flange and the 'propshaft' flange/coupling.

Looking for a track car only - no reverse needed.

[singlecoil]

cps13 said:

Sam_68 said:

Steve_D said:

Reverse will be required if you want to put it on the road.

...though you could potentially contrive an electric reverse, with a starter motor piggy-backed over the diff, driving a gear sandwiched between the diff input flange and the 'propshaft' flange/coupling.

Looking for a track car only - no reverse needed.

I thought many claqsses of racing did require reverse, but I daresay you've looked into what's required for your chosen class.

[Sam_68]

singlecoil said:

I thought many classes of racing did require reverse.

All circuit racing does (or certainly did the last time I had cause to check the regs)... it is (or was) a basic 'Blue Book' requirement for all classes. Hillclimbing/sprinting doesn't.

Track days will be down to the individual organiser, and possibly the circuit's safety policy requirements linked to their insurance.

Edited by Sam_68 on Saturday 18th December 20:31

[TurnerLMP]

We did this on the LMP way back in 2001. Often copied since...

[Stubby Pete]

Try having a look at the MEV Atomic and Fury Menace (the latter now out of production I believe). They've both approached the idea by offsetting the engine to the l/h side of the car a little.