OK first can I start by saying Hi to everyone as I'm new and this is the first car I am trying to build, well thinking about it at the mo.

Right now I am thinking of using a bike engine but there is noting in the book about it as I know I am beginning to go off on a whole new tangent but I like the idea of low weight and high all in a small engine. However I have no idea how I would get the power from the front to the rear wheels as its too long for a chain, but then do I need to use a different gearbox, if so what? Or is there another way?
Also if I do go down the road of a car engine and transmission what is the best sort of donor car to go for as MK1 and 2 escorts are beginning to get a little thin on the ground unless I spend a lot on it (I know a bike engine will be expensive but I do like the idea of it)

Can someone please help me and tell me where to look for some info

Many thanks
Matt

Ps sorry if this is in the wrong place

hi, and welcome.

if you fit a bike engine, the gearbox is built in , so you just use that, remove the sprocket that used to drive the chain, and fit an adapter to attach a propshaft to, propshaft to the rear axle, and roberts yer mothers brother.

if you want to go car engined, either just buy the escort/cortina parts as you need them(instead of a donor), or go for a sierra based kit like the MK Indy.

Ray

[Edited on 30/12/05 by rayward]

Hi,
The bike engines have a sequential (usually 6 speed) box as part of the unit....generally I think people just use a propshaft from the sproket that a chain would normaly attach to and run it to their axle (diff)....This isn't that big a deal as you would need to have a propshaft modified anyway to fit a car box to axle etc.....Not sure of other components...maybe a jaguar rear axle??? could be too wide?? Mine's based on sierra rear independent suspension setup. If I was gonna do a locost I think I'd make my own rear end up and use a sierra diff and driveshafts, possibly make my own carriers and make my own double wishbone setup with coil overs.....quite a lot of work...trial and error etc but I can't help that feel that the independent suspension is worth it! Just not the additional weight of a Sierra rear subframe! HTH...Oli.

Ps.
Good luck with whatever you decide!

hi basically as above
the back end of my MK indy is a sierra diff and driveshafts then theres the prop which goes up the middle which makes everything joint together and turn(this is of the sierra aswell but may need the end modifying a bit)

The prop goes all the way up to to the bike engine and connects to where the cog used to go on the bike

the bike engine in the car is sideways facing where as in the bike it faces forward

A motorbike has the gear box built in

it is nothing like a car g/box

basically theres a rod on the engine of the bike which used to be pushed up and down by your foot on your motorbike

instead you make some rods that join together then and pivot on each join then you put your gear lever in the centre section and basically its push up for first gear then DOWN 2nd DOWN 3rd DOWN 4th every time time you push down or up to go back up the gears the gear lever returns back to the centre

hope that helps

ta chris

Thanks for all your help so far its all great but how do I connect the prop to the bike gearbox or does it just simpally bolt on? Or do I need special bits and if so where can I get them from?

Thanks again

[Edited on 30/12/05 by matt_baxter]

Have a look at our website. Should give you some idea of how it all goes together and works.

Phil

this is a propshaft adapter, also called a sprocket adapter. Picture is courtsey of MNR.

and if you want an engine give me a shout..

try this website to see how they did it
http://biketransplant.tripod.com/

I have been to that site loads of times and never understand how to use it !

All i see is the doctor with the kit car and i cant find anywhere to click for other pages can anyone enlighten me ?

theres loads of tabs at the top!

quote:

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Originally posted by JoelP
theres loads of tabs at the top!

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