The Diesel Project

**cheesy** · 07-06-2020, 11:04 PM

Almost four years ago, I scored this Lambordini/Kohler diesel from work. 6.5 hp, electric start, less than 3 hrs on the clock.

The plan was to build a cheap to run motorcycle around it to commute to work on and only get fuel maybe once a month. Well, that fell flat for two reasons. One, I don’t commute anymore. Two, I could not for the life of me find a roller with a title.

Well, half of that has been corrected and the project is back on. Picking up this basket case of a Suzuki GS550 tomorrow morning.
https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/m...147266998.html
Don’t care about the half an engine, but it has most everything else I need, save for a fuel tank. Most importantly, it has a title.

A lot of other stuff to do before I get to it but watch this space.

Emerikol · 07-07-2020, 08:20 AM

Best of luck with that, Cheesy! I've kind of got an ear to the ground for another frame like that so I can do one of the Harbor Freight engine conversions with a centrifugal clutch setup. I think the missus may be less than pleased if I bring another project home before I have both of the old Hondas up and running. The CB is close; the engine is back in the frame and runs. I just have to route everything back along the frame spine and button it up. Then go get tires and tubes and a few other odds and sods. In any event, please keep us posted with your build. I'm really looking forward to following your progress!

**JerryHawk250** · 07-07-2020, 08:37 AM

That right there is what we call in the construction business a project with potential, lots of potential. And potential cost a lot of money.

It will be interesting that's for sure.

Sub

wheelbender6 · 07-07-2020, 12:37 PM

Cool project. That Suzuki chassis will be more than sturdy enough for that diesel mill.

bogieboy · 07-07-2020, 05:25 PM

stupid question...LOL what are the plans for driveline? GO kart/snowmobile style torque converter, harley style gearbox, or just straight centrifugal clutch?

**JerryHawk250** · 07-07-2020, 05:40 PM

It's been done before. You might get some ideas from this video.

**cheesy** · 07-07-2020, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogieboy

stupid question...LOL what are the plans for driveline? GO kart/snowmobile style torque converter, harley style gearbox, or just straight centrifugal clutch?

Not a stupid question. First choice is a Harley if I can find a seller that realizes those transmissions are NOT made of gold. Second choice is a torque converter. There are many other bits and bobs I need to scrounge to make this work.

Jerry-Thanks for the video.

Bruces · 07-07-2020, 08:30 PM

Every once in a while I find Harley trannies for less than a few hundred bucks around here Cheese ,how much are you willing to spend on one because I would usually have to grab it quick and ask questions later ?

**cheesy** · 07-07-2020, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruces

Every once in a while I find Harley trannies for less than a few hundred bucks around here Cheese ,how much are you willing to spend on one because I would usually have to grab it quick and ask questions later ?

Appreciate the offer but I am not in a big hurry for a trans right now. Too much other crap to do. I snagged the Suzuki because I subscribe to ‘He who hesitates is lost’ while Mrs. C is “Good things come to those who wait”.

Emerikol · 07-07-2020, 11:23 PM

Here are two other videos that are pretty close to what you're planning:

**cheesy** · 07-08-2020, 08:24 AM

So here’s the haul. Frame w/lower half of engine-trans, fork, two front wheels, one rear, and seat. No tank, lights, gauges, harness, controls, rear brake pedal. A project no matter what.

wheelbender6 · 07-08-2020, 10:19 AM

Another tranny that might work is a 3 speed box from a Cushman Eagle, Cheesy.
I don't know if it as rated for power and weight of your project.

franque · 07-08-2020, 03:36 PM

You might be able to use the Suzuki bottom end, sans crank for your transmission, it'd just be a bit of welding some aluminum, and connecting the engine to the primary. You could try those aluminum brazing rods that I've seen. It might be easier than you think!

**cheesy** · 07-08-2020, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franque

You might be able to use the Suzuki bottom end, sans crank for your transmission, it'd just be a bit of welding some aluminum, and connecting the engine to the primary. You could try those aluminum brazing rods that I've seen. It might be easier than you think!

That is another possibility. Would probably need a jackshaft but won't know until I dig into it. And I do have a TIG welder.

franque · 07-08-2020, 07:32 PM

Depending on the output/primary side, you might have to run a sprocket to a jackshaft to the other side, but that shouldn't be too hard. IMO it'd make it more interesting!

07-06-2020, 11:04 PM	#1
cheesy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elburn, IL Posts: 5,993	The Diesel Project Almost four years ago, I scored this Lambordini/Kohler diesel from work. 6.5 hp, electric start, less than 3 hrs on the clock. The plan was to build a cheap to run motorcycle around it to commute to work on and only get fuel maybe once a month. Well, that fell flat for two reasons. One, I don’t commute anymore. Two, I could not for the life of me find a roller with a title. Well, half of that has been corrected and the project is back on. Picking up this basket case of a Suzuki GS550 tomorrow morning. https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/m...147266998.html Don’t care about the half an engine, but it has most everything else I need, save for a fuel tank. Most importantly, it has a title. A lot of other stuff to do before I get to it but watch this space. __________________ Cheesy ______________________________________ 07 Hi Bird Enduro-Flown the Coop 07 Ural Gear Up 79 Honda CX500 77 VeloSolex 4600 V3 73 VeloSolex 3800 I'm making this up as I go.-Indiana Jones Telling me something 'is for my own good', is a fast way to a fat lip.-Me I don't even care about my own problems, why should I care about yours?-Quote on one of my favorite t-shirts
	3

07-07-2020, 08:20 AM	#2
Emerikol Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Carrollton, GA Posts: 1,467	Best of luck with that, Cheesy! I've kind of got an ear to the ground for another frame like that so I can do one of the Harbor Freight engine conversions with a centrifugal clutch setup. I think the missus may be less than pleased if I bring *another* project home before I have both of the old Hondas up and running. The CB is close; the engine is back in the frame and runs. I just have to route everything back along the frame spine and button it up. Then go get tires and tubes and a few other odds and sods. In any event, please keep us posted with your build. I'm really looking forward to following your progress! __________________ First Rule of Aviation: -Never Pass Up The Opportunity to Pee I was struggling to get my wife's attention; I sat down on the couch and looked comfortable. That did the trick! My wife says I only have two faults. I don't listen and something else... If at first you don't succeed, try doing it the way I told you to... The Stable: 2005 Yamaha V-Star 650 - SOLD 2015 Suzuki DR 650 2015 RPS Hawk 250 - SOLD 2016 Ural Gear Up
	1

07-07-2020, 08:37 AM	#3
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,734	That right there is what we call in the construction business a project with potential, lots of potential. And potential cost a lot of money. It will be interesting that's for sure. Sub __________________ 2024 Linhai 300 ATV 4x4 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	1

07-07-2020, 12:37 PM	#4
wheelbender6 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Houston area Posts: 1,902	Cool project. That Suzuki chassis will be more than sturdy enough for that diesel mill. __________________ "Its not WHAT you ride; its THAT you ride"
	1

07-07-2020, 05:40 PM	#6
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,734	It's been done before. You might get some ideas from this video. __________________ 2024 Linhai 300 ATV 4x4 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	1

07-07-2020, 05:25 PM	#5
bogieboy Join Date: May 2013 Location: finger lakes NY Posts: 2,062	stupid question...LOL what are the plans for driveline? GO kart/snowmobile style torque converter, harley style gearbox, or just straight centrifugal clutch?
	1

07-07-2020, 08:30 PM	#8
Bruces Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 1,655	Every once in a while I find Harley trannies for less than a few hundred bucks around here Cheese ,how much are you willing to spend on one because I would usually have to grab it quick and ask questions later ?
	1

07-07-2020, 11:23 PM	#10
Emerikol Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Carrollton, GA Posts: 1,467	Here are two other videos that are pretty close to what you're planning: __________________ First Rule of Aviation: -Never Pass Up The Opportunity to Pee I was struggling to get my wife's attention; I sat down on the couch and looked comfortable. That did the trick! My wife says I only have two faults. I don't listen and something else... If at first you don't succeed, try doing it the way I told you to... The Stable: 2005 Yamaha V-Star 650 - SOLD 2015 Suzuki DR 650 2015 RPS Hawk 250 - SOLD 2016 Ural Gear Up
	2

07-08-2020, 08:24 AM	#11
cheesy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elburn, IL Posts: 5,993	So here’s the haul. Frame w/lower half of engine-trans, fork, two front wheels, one rear, and seat. No tank, lights, gauges, harness, controls, rear brake pedal. A project no matter what. __________________ Cheesy ______________________________________ 07 Hi Bird Enduro-Flown the Coop 07 Ural Gear Up 79 Honda CX500 77 VeloSolex 4600 V3 73 VeloSolex 3800 I'm making this up as I go.-Indiana Jones Telling me something 'is for my own good', is a fast way to a fat lip.-Me I don't even care about my own problems, why should I care about yours?-Quote on one of my favorite t-shirts
	2

07-08-2020, 10:19 AM	#12
wheelbender6 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Houston area Posts: 1,902	Another tranny that might work is a 3 speed box from a Cushman Eagle, Cheesy. I don't know if it as rated for power and weight of your project. __________________ "Its not WHAT you ride; its THAT you ride"
	1

07-08-2020, 03:36 PM	#13
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	You might be able to use the Suzuki bottom end, sans crank for your transmission, it'd just be a bit of welding some aluminum, and connecting the engine to the primary. You could try those aluminum brazing rods that I've seen. It might be easier than you think!
	1

07-08-2020, 07:32 PM	#15
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	Depending on the output/primary side, you might have to run a sprocket to a jackshaft to the other side, but that shouldn't be too hard. IMO it'd make it more interesting!
	1