Thumper Club Forum

Club House => Chatter => Topic started by: Julian217 on February 04, 2008, 04:31:42 PM

Title: Diesel
Post by: Julian217 on February 04, 2008, 04:31:42 PM
the yanks have a go   

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/05/22/hydrostatic-drive-diesel-motorcycle/ (http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/05/22/hydrostatic-drive-diesel-motorcycle/)

 japanese mini tractor engine.
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: bullet350 on February 04, 2008, 06:24:53 PM

he says 80mpg is possible, but doesn't give any performance figures so it's quite hard to judge if its worth while.

enfield diesels do over 150mpg, but a cruising speed of 40mph or less means you'll be run over long before it needs more fuel.

the hydraulic drive sounds like a good idea though, its been used for years in plant machines, just needs to be lighter and cheaper.

bullet350
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: andy230 on February 04, 2008, 06:39:48 PM
Hmmmm

I like the idea.  But my GOD its ugly!!

I dont think my efforts would be very pretty either, but come on...!

Has anyone here got a diesel bike?  Or ridden one?

I am getting seriously tempted by the idea.  And my love of fried food means that I can even run it on the cheap too...  Horrificly slow, I know, but thats alright.  I would just leave the house a bit earlier!

a
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: SteveC#222 on February 04, 2008, 07:19:16 PM
Something like this perhaps...

(http://static.blogo.it/motoblog/NeanderTD1.jpg)


it's a Neander and it cost's a bomb unfortunately.
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: Julian217 on February 04, 2008, 09:12:20 PM
It was 'interesting' that they thought 80mpg was good !
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: guest18 on February 05, 2008, 12:14:06 AM
There was talk on the radio today of them banning the sale of any new car which couldn't manage 35mpg or better... wonder what they'll do about 60% of all new bikes  :o
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: guest7 on February 05, 2008, 12:15:11 AM
Man, that really has been beaten mercilessly with the ugly stick

(http://thekneeslider.com/images/hydraulicinnovations.jpg)
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: Steve H on February 05, 2008, 08:05:32 AM
Odd mixture of Shiny Aluminium bits and black painted CheckerPlate, still a lot of work though, and Ive seen worse, usually with a V8 engine strapped to it.
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: floyd fan on February 05, 2008, 10:24:50 AM
This is the new military diesel bike that is to replace the Harley MT.

http://www.defenceimagedatabase.mod.uk/fotoweb/Preview.fwx?position=60&archiveType=ImageFolder&sorting=ModifiedTimeAsc&search=(%20Trials)&fileId=82009AFCAB28BB7B4818188E6EE0F5842527F21A9EA60BCB068E1C97D7AA43F0BA877BF55CF600ED1D3DB01BD3914663F948A35DA08A0623F948A35DA08A062398D8A9A7B8E1D992513741741DE1AE2BF7B439EE3BC281C09CF766BF32F4EDACFA67F429865CBA697D81775855457B7E0423EB681ABFCD566AF0FB8EFE077917
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: andy230 on February 05, 2008, 12:05:25 PM
now THAT I like....  any in britain??  When will they start selling em off to civvies??

(and how in the name of buggery does one insure it?)

Smudge used to harp on about this a bit...  are you there?

a
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: pigafetta on February 05, 2008, 01:36:12 PM
Yup, that's more like it! Anybody found any more info on them?
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: floyd fan on February 05, 2008, 04:04:41 PM
The manufacturers web.

http://www.dieselmotorcycles.com/military.htm

Also....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2006/01/14/mfbike114.xml
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: guest18 on February 05, 2008, 05:47:46 PM
Briefly.. (before I get accused of "harping on"  :P  ;D )

They were undergoing trials and the last I heard our lot were going to get them.
The US forces have already got at least some of them.
It's a militarised KLR650 chassis with a purpose built 600cc diesel, apparently tops out about 80mph and gets better than 100mpg off road :D
Haven't seen any sign of them in uk forces hands yet  :(
Manufacturer wants *stupid* money for the civvy version.
I still want one.
If Kawasaki had the brains to sell it to civvies (just exactly as it is!) for about £4k to £5k I'd take the debt and buy one!!
(as would I suspect a heck of a lot of commuters...)

As to when they'll appear surplus? Your guess is as good as mine, but don't hold your breath and I bet the trade buy them up and demand a pretty penny for them  :-\ Anyway, you're behind me in the queue  :P ;)
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: floyd fan on February 05, 2008, 07:24:51 PM
... Anyway, you're behind me in the queue  :P ;)

Er, dont think so dude. I've got me tent pitched outside Withams already  ;D.

Another review..

http://www.motorbikestoday.com/features/Articles/diesel_bikes.htm
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: guest24 on February 10, 2008, 08:08:02 PM
think I'm going to join you! the way petrol is going up and up in cost I soon wont be able to afford to get to work, shame.  ;D
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: Paulgertie on February 11, 2008, 09:58:37 AM
With regards to diesel anyone noticed this bit of info.
 From June 30th 2007 anyone using less than 2,500 litres of veg oil per year is no longer required to pay duty in the uk.
I'm currently using veg oil at 25% mix with diesel, no heater in my VW van, will be using at least 50% come summer. 20 litres works out too £14 and is supposedly cleaner.
Title: Re: Diesel
Post by: guest146 on February 11, 2008, 04:46:31 PM
Thats fine in an old vehicle and I am thinking of doing the same. But Beware don't use it in a modern common rail system as there is not enough lubricant in the fuel to work under the high pressure and even on older vehicles it will wreck the pump in the end. I changed two for people last year but they did  last 5 years. From what I can gather when they stopped using sulphur as a additive in diesel fuel pumps started wearing out.