[Kawasakian]

I If the heads are facing each other, you could just make a set of gears for the ends of the crankshafts and run them, as they will be running in opposite directions. The end result would be a much lighter engine, one less very complicated crank to grind. You would only need cut off the bottom transmission of one engine and Tig weld it to the other, and you would have the cranks driving each other with big fat gears. This would solve all your cam gear drive issues. Just an idea to try and save you a 100 hours or so.

Is that a scale drawing? I would guess not, if it was, you could all the data you need from them.

 

[Kawasakian]

I primarily work with Rhino3D. The reason I asked if your drawing was to scale was that if it was, using parametric scaling, you could get all the answers to your questions. Of course this differs from having ac actual crankshaft in hand, and the components, mostly the components, as you will have to make your own crankshaft. So the dimensions from your crankshaft will have to match the bearing sizes, etc.. There's a guy in England who has done this on a few different bikes. He did a superb job, though I felt that the horsepower gain he achieved made the project kind of not worth it. Why not design your own V-8? Using the components of one that exists, how much more could you gain, as you will be bring into the melding the deficiencies of each motor, and doubling them.

Just wondering, I programmed CNC machines 4,5 and 8 axis for over 15 years, designed the fixtures, even end mills. I have no doubt you could do this project.

Have you ever seen Allen Millyard's work? Videos well worth watching. He's done what you are planning to do, and a lot more.

Link =

This link takes you to all his videos plus the one below.

 

[Kawasakian]

I wondered about those crank ends. I don't think he really pushes those bikes hard, why would you. It will be interesting to see what you innovate. Aston Martin used the basic Duratec 24 Valve engine and put them end to end (a simplified statement) to come up with the V-12 for the DB7 and subsequent cars.

 

[Kawasakian]

Do you have a crank grinding machine, or will this be a pressed/welded crankshaft?. By the way, I like the CAD drawings and Renders. I work with Rhino3D and have made many parts for aircraft, motorcycles, cars, etc. I programmed 4 axis and 8 axis cnc machinery for 16 years, designed jigs, end mills, etc. It's really exciting to see someone take on such a monumental task.

 

[Kawasakian]

Holy Crap, you're "Rotec"!! You guys are famous. This thread will be educational!!

 

[Kawasakian]

Dude, my respect for Rotec, and your engines is as far up there as it goes. I have flown planes with your engines, and felt as safe as possible. Just a sample of the engines from you guys, for the people unaware. If you were on my forum, I'd have a special header and section for you!! You are a world renown engine manufacturer!! I will be following this thread. I'd love to see pictures of your shop!

 

[Kawasakian]

Brain Fart. The Radial Engine is freaking awesome. I saw a YouTube video that showed a small one saying it was a "model" of your engine. Is that something that is available? I took out the Rotax pic. I helped a guy at Rhinebeck Aerodrome around 30 years ago to get Sikorsky Aircraft to make a part for their 1929 "New Standard Biplane" engine they were rebuilding. I just introduced them to each other (exchanged phone numbers) I have no idea how they helped, but they did. The aeronautical community can be awesome, some real jerks, but more real people. I was apprenticing under an A&P, A.I. and did annuals for Pipers and Cessna's. Learning how to safety wire a prop to a crankshaft end was quite grueling but once you get it, you got it. Love your stuff. I design paper models using Rhino3D. I'd love to make a paper model of your radial engine. If that were possible, let me know, either send me a P.M. or tell me to P.M. you. I never charge for my models.

 

[Kawasakian]

From what I've read, they bikes do not use transmissions, they just have a clutch. They produce so much torque, that a transmission is not necessary, some are friction drive!

 

[Kawasakian]

I agree, but the torque must be brutal. I just think how bad it is on a BMW R100, yoou can't really engine break, and forget about engine breaking in the corners, the torque reaction could kill you. I really like BMW's, almost bought a RS900, but the clunky tractor gear shifter, and that horride torque feel transferring to the handlebars just turned me off. If the handled the torque like a GS1000G, it could be one of the perfect bikes.