With Bultakenstein well and truly off the docket, I had a chance to think freely about what I wanted to pursue in the workshop. I have decided to forgo the “high concept” projects, at least for now, and concentrate on “cheap and cheerful” — the stuff I can truly have fun with. I will attempt to make hay with the stuff on hand, similar to The Bride. Well, perhaps I’ll be a bit more discriminating with my component choices!
I really enjoyed the twist-and-go nature of The Bride. With my right wrist permanently FUBAR, trying to modulate a traditional twist throttle becomes prohibitively painful within just a few miles of riding. Therefore, plan to stick with clutchless bikes: either semi-auto Honda Cub style, or CVT torque converter. I have picked up a couple different twist and trigger throttle options that can mount on the left handlebar.
With three rolling chassis currently on hand, all in need motors, I have no business assembling yet another one. So the Diesel Cruiser’s planned chassis won’t happen, and the result won’t be so much of a cruiser after all.
I first offered the 5-horsepower 173F diesel to the Bultaco Pursang frame, simply because it’s the closest to complete and ready to run. But it was too tight a fit. Next up was my Benelli 2C, which you may recall was mocked up to house a Honda first-gen air-cooled ATC250R engine. That’s a notably wide and long engine, so I was hopeful. I yanked the incomplete hunk of Honda motor out and sloppily shoved the diesel into the engine bay. That was enough to verify that this combination could work.
Everything fits, with enough room behind the engine to run a jackshaft across the frame. Hot dog!
I don’t plan on running a CVT, just a centrifugal clutch. With plenty of diesel torque down low, a comparatively heavy chassis, and only 5 horsepower on tap, I think greater drivetrain efficiency when running WFO wins out over the more spritely acceleration variable gearing provides.
Sourcing sprockets for the drivetrain is surprisingly challenging. Going with #35 size chain seems to provide the most universal options by far, even though Size 35 chain has a reputation of being a bit wimpy. Fortunately, stronger, higher quality name brand chains are out there.
There’s a lot of fabrication ahead, but it all appears to be pretty cheap and rudimental stuff, in both concept and execution.
What will the tank and seat be? Will it get lights? Get licensed for the street? Who knows. The beauty of this style of project (unlike Bultakenstein) is that I’m not going to worry about any of that until after it starts and runs.