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CEhorse1600 Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2019 Posts: 16 Location: Somerset
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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2019 12:25 pm Post subject: VW engined motorcycles |
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Anyone interested in building a VW bike ? I've built a couple over the years, one in the chopper style and the latest one being a roadster or muscle bike. Here are pics to give an idea of how this works.
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Busstom Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014 Posts: 3789 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:55 am Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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Pretty awesome, looks like you've perfected the conversion. Was that a Guzzi that you started with?
If I was still riding, I'd definitely be interested. I'd thought about it for years when I was in the wind.
Oh, curious: I can't tell, is it injected? |
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vwuberalles Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2003 Posts: 1355 Location: Richmond, VA
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CEhorse1600 Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2019 Posts: 16 Location: Somerset
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 7:28 pm Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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This bike is a one off. I made the frame myself and used the VW transaxle modified with a thru shaft and foot shift mechanism of my own design. Fueling is by single SU 44mm. |
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Busstom Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014 Posts: 3789 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:53 pm Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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I think what's really impressive is how the whole powertrain appears to just hang in space, like a piece of art...the lower frame members just blend in. |
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CEhorse1600 Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2019 Posts: 16 Location: Somerset
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Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 12:53 pm Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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I wanted to create a strong frame that gave easy access to removing the engine. The trans is held between a couple of thin plates that bolt to strong brackets on the underside of the beam frame. The sub frame mounts to the trans mounts, at the bellhousing and at the gear selector housing. |
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vaughn bros. Samba Member
Joined: October 13, 2003 Posts: 2395 Location: Hickory, NC
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Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 10:43 pm Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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Best I've seen. Great carb layout. Would love to hear that exhaust setup.😀 |
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CEhorse1600 Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2019 Posts: 16 Location: Somerset
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 6:57 am Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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Thanks, the carb needle, spring and jet info came from a Mr Sullivan on the old Swedish trike garage website (for VW trikes with the diff reversed and the motor at the front). The exhaust sound is very different from the cannons that I ran before. It sounds more like a production bike, a bit like a Subaru ! The bike has a little more Low down torque and a little less top end, which suits the roads round here. |
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DeathBySnuSnu Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2012 Posts: 1180 Location: MS
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Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 8:40 am Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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Hi Daryl.
Got it looking good! _________________
modok wrote: |
And look at the SHAPE of the curves, just smooth, like gods own slingshot. . |
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CEhorse1600 Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2019 Posts: 16 Location: Somerset
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Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 5:14 pm Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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Thanks, will add tank legend plates soon, and might change the colour to burnt orange with gloss black at some point. Here's my first effort, back in 2010 !
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Bashr52 Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2006 Posts: 5666 Location: On an island in VA
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 5:37 am Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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Looks good! No heat issues with no tins installed? How does that single carb work out? |
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finster Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2012 Posts: 7838 Location: north o' the border
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 7:18 am Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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the exhaust on the blue one would keep your feet toasty and warm! |
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CEhorse1600 Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2019 Posts: 16 Location: Somerset
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 12:39 pm Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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The SU carb works well, but off course you can't just put any SU on. It must have the correct internal spring, needle and jets....and even then it's only approximate, as it's non standard kit and you're into research and development to make it work. No perfect at all revs fuel injection here. I did run twin 40mm solex carbs (kadron kit), on the chopper for a few years, and that worked well with smaller than standard jets. It certainly ran strongly at medium to high revs, but a little reluctant to pick up from lower revs under load. Concluded that the 40s would work better with bigger engine higher lift cam and the cannons. |
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CEhorse1600 Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2019 Posts: 16 Location: Somerset
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 12:47 pm Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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The cannon exhausts certainly kept your legs warm on cold days. I met a South African guy who had built a couple of VW bikes, one in Indonesia, and one in SA. Thought he was bull shitting me at first, until I saw the pictures, and he had the same VW bike injury as me....burns on calf front from touching the bloody exhaust pipe ! Yes I wrapped them. |
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cdennisg Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004 Posts: 20230 Location: Sandpoint, ID
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2019 10:37 am Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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There is along neglected Ural gear up rig not far from me. I have thought about snagging it, but didn't know if it would be worth messing with what is sure to be a huge headache of engine repairs. I have thought about a VW engine/trans adaptation, but couldn't quite wrap my head around it.
Things makes me start thinking... _________________ nothing |
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2weel Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2007 Posts: 229 Location: Right in the middle of Coastal Cali.
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Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2019 8:41 am Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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Cool bike!
There are groups specific to VW powered Motorcycles. Yahoo groups has one so does Facebook.
Back in the late sixties and up into the eighties was about the biggest VW powered motorcycle movement. Butterfield (Jacks M/C), Willis 4's and Webley/Vickers were the only ones I know that produced actual VW powered bikes for sale or kits to build your own that were actual companies.
There were a scattering of one offs thru the years and some who made a few.
Amazonas in Brazil during the eighties made behemoth VW powered bikes for the military and Police. Used a VW trans so it had 4 speed with reverse as the bike almost weighed 1000 lbs.
Here is one of Buds bikes
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&...8385328659 |
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2weel Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2007 Posts: 229 Location: Right in the middle of Coastal Cali.
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Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2019 8:44 am Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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Here is the proto type bike from Butterfield.
That shot was in the back of my CC.
Doesn't look like that anymore. Has dual Denfeld seats and more upright position. Kick start only 1600cc SP motor.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/331611.jpg |
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2weel Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2007 Posts: 229 Location: Right in the middle of Coastal Cali.
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CEhorse1600 Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2019 Posts: 16 Location: Somerset
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Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2019 11:16 am Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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I remember your password from the Yahoo group. I found that my blue bike got very few comments, seemingly because it was not a Willis/Webley etc, where using the VW trans was frowned upon, or seen as a poor attempt at getting the VW motor into a bike. |
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2weel Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2007 Posts: 229 Location: Right in the middle of Coastal Cali.
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2019 9:25 am Post subject: Re: VW engined motorcycles |
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CEhorse1600 wrote: |
I remember your password from the Yahoo group. I found that my blue bike got very few comments, seemingly because it was not a Willis/Webley etc, where using the VW trans was frowned upon, or seen as a poor attempt at getting the VW motor into a bike. |
I doubt it was lack of interest due to the set up or configuration and or style of VW powered bike on the Yahoo group site. Its not the site! Its the amount of people who have enough interest to own a VW powered motorcycle.
Your bike is cool! Buds bikes are cool! For me I dig them ALL! I have owned an Amazonas my self. It now is living the rest of its life in a museum.
I hear cool comments, I hear the whispers of WTF? The best ones are VW made motorcycles. I, probably like you, just enjoy them for what they are.
In the "VW Powered Community" of anything pushed, pulled, shoved or flown, all is GOOD! Glad you posted it! |
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