Why no Honda Trail 110 clones?

[jjn]

My first gas powered two wheeler was a cheap mini bike with a Briggs and Stratton engine. It was an engine like you might find in a lawn mower. That mini bike, and that engine, were quite an unreliable set up. Very bad choice for a kids first bike. Next, I got a mid 1960's Honda Trail 90. It was as reliable as an anvil, and a great ride for me at the time.

Never heard of a Predator engine. I'll have to take a look.

[Adjuster]

Yeh just YouTube Harbor Freight Predator engines. Very well regarded and some of the power mods are amazing.


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[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by Adjuster

I was in Harbor Freight today killing time and I checked out all the Predator engines. A brand new 300cc engine can be had for around $200.00. That got me thinking. I am sure there is a logical reason I have just never been made aware of but why are there no full size street or dirt bikes that use these types of engines? I know there used in some mini bikes and of course go karts but why not full size bikes. Briggs & Stratton, Tucumseh and the Chinese Predators etc are available everywhere and very affordable, easily repaired, all kinds of aftermarket performance etc.

I've had the same sick idea. I've considered putting one of those engines in a titled frame and annoying local residents with it. It would sound like I'm riding a rototiller.

I'm not exactly sure how to reconcile a couple of items, like the charging system and the final drive.

One solution that I've read about is to use a small street two-stroke motorcycle engine (say around 1125cc), and remove the head, cylinder, piston and connecting rod. A plate could then be fashioned to cover the hole where the cylinder was, and it could be sealed and bolted in place. The output shaft of the Predator could be connected to the two-stroke engine flywheel with a belt, but attaching a pulley to the flywheel.

That would accomplish three things: the two-stroke would provide a charging system, a transmission and a kickstart. That would allow a backup, in case the Predator pull-start should break. The problem becomes packaging two motors in one frame.

Another option is to use a Comet Torq-a-verter to the Predator engine, and source a charging system that would bolt onto the Predator. That shouldn't be too much of a challenge, since similar motors are equipped with electric start.

It's enough of a puzzle that I've done nothing about it.

[Adjuster]

Check out this video. You can get all kinds of performance parts for them carbs, exhausts, air cleaners, electric start, clutches etc etc. I know there must be a logical reason why this type of engine isn't used in full size bikes???

http://videos.sorensonmedia.com/Harb...eFf92136939bba


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[Weldangrind]

The only logic behind not using Predators in street bikes is performance and efficiency, or lack thereof. Yes, power can be improved, but they're still flathead motors with only so much potential. That said, I love the sound.

I've done some research into these motors, and there's a ton that you can do to improve performance. There's even a China motor racing class, rather than competing against Hondas in karting.

I'd love to put the 346cc Predator in a nasty military-themed street bike.