2008 Kawasaki KLR456 Diesel Motorcycle Project

[SamM]

My future plans are to switch my vehicles out one by one for diesel powered vehicles as I replace them. A friend's father has a restaurant and I'd like to try and buy his used vegetable oil. If I am able to do this I'd like to try and make my own biodiesel for my KLR456. Sending my money to the Middle East really bothers me. More and MORE everyday!

I'd want to always keep a gasoline powered KLR from here on out. These bikes are very useful and reliable. For trips you can't beat them. I can only imagine how great a diesel powered KLR will be. I hope to soon find out.

SamM

[dsrt4]

DIESELBIKE.NET

Link to the forum!!! Post it over there as well!!

http://www.suckindiesel.com/thingy/index.php

[SamM]

dsrt4,
I'm already a member of that site. After I get my engine and a little further on my frame, I'll do a build thread there too. There is still much to do and many parts to aquire.

I'm thinking very seriously about going with the desert sand paint scheme of the HDT diesel bike. I like the look.

SamM

[dsrt4]

Too late I Already made a thread about your thread....

[SamM]

Yes, I saw that and I replied to the thread.

Thanks! :wink:

SamM

[warrior91]

Yay Sam. With some thought and work I am sure you will have an efficient and fun bike. Polaris and cat tried to sell diesel quads ...but winter driving here was problematic.
A 2 wheeler in a warm climate should be a good runner.
Good luck...but I don't think you will need it.

[offroad1]

Sam,

That's one dog gone interesting project you have there. Great work!
I owned a 97' KLX 650 (dirt only version). It was fairly powerful/toquey.....but the 305 lbs wore me out more than once.

The crash broke the wrist and gave me a slight concussion. My memory of the event is gone, but the riding buddies seem to think a pickup clipped me on a forest road and drove off. I wish I could confirm or deny that.

I do kinda miss that monster. Your diesel engine graft looks neat.

The rope pull start reminds me of when I was a squirt and was dying for a Carl Heald Super Bronc (yeah, some models had a starter). I was fascinated by the fat atv style tires and torque converter drive. One company bought the design and actually made it again for a few years, but looks like they discontinued it.

I now have a 01' xr250, but strangely, I'm still seem interested by odd ball bikes. (I've been eyeing Rokons as well).

I know,...I'm nuts....
:mrgreen:

[katoranger]

We had two Super Broncs when I was little.

Still waiting for more updates on the diesel klr.

Allen

[SamM]

Hey katoranger,
No worries! I'm still working on the diesel KLR. The problem now is scrapping up the money for the engine. I've been trying to sell 950 parts but that's not going too well. For some reason there seems to be no market for used KTM bikes or their parts. Go figure! Worst purchase I ever made. As soon as something sells the diesel engine will be on it's way to me. Then the fun starts!

Tomorrow, I'm taking the frame to the bearing shop to source a top seal for the KX450F top clamps. The next thing on the list is to build a frame jig to get the frame squared before welding in the new downtubes. That's a must do. The frame needs to be straight. When I cut it apart it twicked a little out of square. The neck isn't in line with the swingarm mounts now. In hindsite I would have done it a little differently.

Next week, I'm going to Ecuador and the Galapogos Islands, so there won't be any work done or updates until probably October. All my extra funds for now are going into the trip.

SamM

[offroad1]

Originally Posted by katoranger

We had two Super Broncs when I was little.

Cool. Did they pull loads/climb inclines well?

[offroad1]

Originally Posted by SamM

offroad1,
If you like Rokons you'll really love my next project. I'm building a convertible 2x/3x diesel powered Rokon motorcycle/tractor with hydrodrive. I'm currently trying to find a used Rokon frame. Without much success. The diesel bike needs to be completely finished before I start on that one. I wouldn't mind picking up a frame though. Still much to workout on that one. The bike will be a do-everything vehicle that work in any terrain. It will be street legal (for use on local roads only) and will have attachments for yard work and working on my 110 acre parcel of land. I need a small tractor but the 25K+ price tags have me turned off. I can build what I need for less.

That one is really going to be cool. I need the success of the diesel bike to launch me into it though. I'm not sure if I mentioned this before but I am also building a 1964 Lotus Seven replica in my garage right now. The car is a long term project that will take me several year. No hurry on it. I do have the frame, suspension, and a donor car for it though. The donor is a 1987 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe with a Holset HG35X turbo from a Cummins turbo pickup.

SamM

Neat! keep us posted on any updates when time allows.

[katoranger]

Originally Posted by offroad1

Cool. Did they pull loads/climb inclines well?

I don't rememember too well. I do remember assembling them in the basement. I was about 3-4 years old.

I had a smaller mini bike with a 3hp briggs on it.



Would be great with a china diesel.

Check out this honda homebuilt bike.

[offroad1]

Originally Posted by katoranger

I don't rememember too well. I do remember assembling them in the basement. I was about 3-4 years old.

I had a smaller mini bike with a 3hp briggs on it.



Would be great with a china diesel.

Check out this honda homebuilt bike.

3-4 years old? Sheesh! I don't even know if I could tie my shoes yet!

The Bronc looks great. Must be restored or preserved real well.

That Honda project bike is the gas! It turned out great!

[katoranger]

I would guess that it was about 1981. My older brothers had them. They would have be about 8-9.

Now that we have hijacked Sam's thread we better get back on topic.

Need more DIESEL pics.

[SamM]

This bike was the inspiration for my bike.




The first cuts to my frame.






More later! I should be ordering the engine next week, but I'll be off the coast of South America until Sept 20th.

SamM