I guess a man at my work was far ahead of his time. He drove to work in a Chevy Vega that was powered by a snow mobile engine. Complete with rope start.
They now have competition bush planes that compete in STOL drags (a cool new sport category at Reno) that run 300hp snowmobile engines. It's a sight to see.
Hey matt, i remember watching your car on jay leno back in 2015 and thinking how cool it would be to have a bike engined car. So i started building a locost 7 with the intentions of a bike motor. Safe to say your car was inspiration. Now its come full circle and my car is in your video at 6:12 and 6:17 lol
how do you connect the car drive shaft to the motorbike engine when the bike engine uses chain drive? And how did he do it in the video without using QAUIFE...?
I love rewatching Matt's older videos. Its clear he has improved a lot in terms of production quality, but the videos really haven't changed. A lot of RUclipsrs completely change their style as time goes on, but Matt stays true to himself. I love it.
Nicknags, I was stationed in Japan in the latter 60’s and I had an S600 coupe with left hand drive from Okinawa. Fantastic little car. Getting used to pulling 11,500rpm on a regular basis on this engine was somewhat unnerving. I sold it to a squadron safety officer on base. I then bought a new S800 coupe. Another fantastic vehicle! Only a 9,500 rpm redline. THIS , (yours) would have been a pure beast!
@@arttafil6792 Wow man, I have a 612 wheel horsepower 97 Honda Civic coupe and it has a fully built 1.8L DOHC VTEC turbo engine in it that is capable of 10,000+ rpm, and I get nervous revving it over 9k rpm...granted, that small of an engine making 11,500 rpm isn't nearly as rough as a much larger engine making that many revolutions, but my engine screams at 9k rpm.
Excellent presentation! Clear helpful photos, clear audio, good rapid pace perfect English, just-the-facts, no "um," uh," unfinished or restarted sentences, irrelevant tangents or excessively long anecdotes. Entertaining use of humor. Directed at an audience who might actually put the info to use. Well done!
I bought a go-kart with what I was told was a Suzuki 175 motocross motor and 6 speed gear box. It was a monster with a top speed of 110 mph. It got there in 6 seconds. I've been wanting to fo exactly what you did here all of my life. Maybe I will, now.
This showed up in my recommendations... Just watched the Jay Leno video as well, and I can only imagine the sense of pride you felt when he was smiling ear to ear in something you built. Very well done!
Love how the entire list of things only placed the brakes as the last item to take care of. Take care of yourself Matt, you're one hell of a guy. EDIT: Just realised, with that reverse box, you now also technically have the same number of gears backwards as you do forwards :|
The reverse was my problem -- If I will do it over again I will use a chain drive differential and an electric motor for reverse. What my problem on using driveshaft was the joints. Consider there is a one universal joint in the engine output shaft, the 2nd on the front reverse joint, the 3rd at the back of the reverse joint, the 4th in the middle of the driveshaft and the 5th on the differential joint. You add the slacks together and you will notice so many things can happen and break and also to clunky.
Alibaba apparently sells like 10hp hub motors like in ebike conversion kits. Could you just have this kind of motor in the wheel? 5-10hp should be OK for a light car?
You could make it a hybrid if you have a motor that can reverse it. You don't need a huge battery pack or motor cooling, just something for some pep until the higher rev range is reached.
This is basically a convertible legends car. But seats 2, is already street legal and designed to run rain or shine. And they sound awesome. Imagine with a CBX engine, it would sound like a formula 1 car. Great video, and thanks a lot for putting this idea back in a retired guys head, just what I needed...
in the early 70's my grandfather took a brand new corvair and put a 2 stroke boat engine in it for the fuel savings. it was a whole process to drive and it couldn't do hills but it was pretty cool. as far as i know it's still running too.
For years now I've wanted to do a mazda MX5/Miata fitted with a Direct Injection 300hp 2 smoke V6 from an outboard...but life and the bank balance always says no.
I would prolly go for a small 12-volt powered motor for reverse. BMW does this for some of their heavy motorcycles, I believe they use the starter motor for that.
Years ago in the UK my father got hold of a 3 wheeled invalid carriage, he stripped the body off & put on i think an isseta front axle & made a kind of big Kart for me to sling round local fields when the crops had been cut. The engine was a 250 Villiers 9e (2 stroke). This had 4 gears forward & if you wanted 4 gears reverse!. I was told, & i was only 9 years old at the time it worked because pushing the ignition key down & turning you reversed the polarity & the engine ran backwards. Never questioned it & never thought any more about it ..until now. Think i need a closer look at the claims.
@@kevinparker461 Two stroke engines can run in both directions without any problem. Four stroke engines however, cannot. Edit: So can a starter motor by simply reversing the polarity
kevin parker yeah, thats a 2 stroke thing, old 2 stroke diesel tractors do that as well (they even have an indicator on the dashboard to show that it cranks the wrong way around)
Ah, the Michigan Madman and his bike, terrorizing drag strips east of the Mississippi. Pitty that he discovered he could make more money stuffing fighter plane engines in farm tractors and doing Friday night tractor pulls instead. And he didn't beat up his body nearly as badly.
I was inspired to do an engine swap to a bike engine and then I found your video. I have a 1983 Datsun Nissan Sentra wagon. It's front wheel drive and much heavier so I'm worried about getting a big enough engine and the clutch burning up. Your videos still help a lot. Wish me luck.
My brother built a scooter with Briggs stationary engine and chrome barstool tube for exhaust. I got done for Unregistered vehicle, uninsured vehicle and unlicensed rider. Cop thought he was smart but solicitor was smarter! Judge actually laughed, thanks John.
Here in the UK a sports car manufacturer called Berkeley manufactured fibre glass bodied sportscar with a variety of two and four stroke motorcycle engines in the 1950-60s. One was driven around Goodwood by Sterling Moss and their pioneering fibreglass monoque construction was a whole year ahead of Lotus. They even used the 700cc Royal Enfield Constellation engine complete with electric start. I believe they have recently been resurrected as a company producing modern cars.
I considered a bike engine when uprating my Mini, but I went instead for a Honda B16A2: 1600 DOHC motor from a Civic. While the HP output from a good bike motor is comparable, there is NO comparison when it comes to torque, the stuff that gets you up and away, and out of corners on a race track or hillclimb. Round town I have nil interest in holding 6 to 10 grand all the time, just to get moving and keeping up with the cars I want to keep up with. The Mini weighs 700 kg all up and is a delight to drive at any speed. And the VTEC is a free lunch - a fuel efficient pussy cat down low and a howling beast under provocation when the VTEC kicks in. Sure, it weighs more than a bike motor, but it's a far better solution for round town and on hillclimbs.
Yeah so this is pretty much my dream car. I grew up riding rice rockets in the '80s and I always wanted the Rev range and driving dynamics of a motorcycle engine in a small car. The only production car that ever came close was the Honda S2000. Good job Matt.
Did you not get the 97-99 EK9 Civic Type R in your country? My one revved to 8,300, you basically had to spin it that high to get any where, it made very little torque. :-)
Thank you so much for explaining solutions to problems you have solved. I am planning a project and love to see like minded folks accomplish their builds!
I’m so thankful that a friend recommended your channel to me. Your stoic mannerisms along with your quick witted sense of humor are an amazing combo. I look forward to watching more content from you.
My brother use to have 2 , 1959 Berkeleys. They were small fiberglass with aluminium belly pan, 500cc 2 cylinder motorcycle engines. Cars weighed in at around 700 pounds. One blew and engine so he replaced with a 750 honda. Front wheel drive and Neither had a reverse . From 0-60 they were amazingly fast but didnt go much past 65 top speed. Also. Im 6'4" and had plenty of leg room. Though it was easier to roll out of the car because it was so low. He sold one and was rebuilding the other about 15 years ago, but some drive by scavengers stole the aluminum belly pan from his yard.
@@diyhell8712 I dont know all the models of Berleleys, the 2 my brother had reminded me of 9 foot long 53 vets. Lol. But if anyones interested I found this. So you can still buy them.. barnfinds.com/tag/berkeley/
Did anyone else notice that Matt spoke for over 12 minutes and I don't think I heard a SINGLE "..uuhhhh...". Matt, first time viewer but I'll be back!!! Great vid, and apparently a great channel !
My first car was a 1972 Honda AZ600 Coupe (Blue). That had a 2-cylinder 600cc air cooled motorcycle engine. Curb weight was 1,260 pounds. I now have a 1972 orange AZ600 that is currently being restored. Fun cars!
l thought about putting in a GSX1400 frame a GT 750 water Bottle 2-stroke engine , because (a)the bike has dream handling , (B) the engine is 2-stroke the smell & the noise of the 2-stroke is over powering to me , lol .
@@charles.stewart4422 2 stroke Motorcross bikes for me, always wanted a Kawasaki S1a road bike, never got one. But my uncle still has his Suzuki GT750. I'm too old for that now but 2 stroke was happy days!
@@kevinparker461 : Oh ok what Country do you live in , Does your uncle ride it on weekends ,my dream was to own one l had T250J ( my brother in law told me it was a T250r , also had 4 xGT250 , now have a GSX1400K8 (4stroke) but still dream of a GT750 kind of .lol
@@charles.stewart4422 I am in the UK. My uncles bikes are just 'show ponies' think he only rides them occasionally, which is a shame. Only road bike i ever had was the 250 Suzuki Hustler. I mostly had MX bikes & i think in 1973 i was the only one in the UK with a Hodaka MX bike which i rode in schoolboy MX. That little thing made the Bultaco & Husqvarna lads take notice!. Shame Hodaka ceased trading & didn't make it to the UK.
What a superb presentation and narration, meticulously detailing the necessary procedures in order to have a safe and reliable engine and systems upgrade! Excellent understanding of what is required, the engineering required to create it, and the explanation of it! This video hugely exceeded my expectations and has added greatly to the knowledge base of MYOG (Make Your Own Gear) enthusiasts. I'm looking forward to seeing episode two and your other videos. Subscribed.
So all I need besides the car, the bike engine, a lathe, a welder, the knowledge, a shitload of heavy duty power tools, a decent indoor space to work, and oh yeah, the knowledge. I was trained and have experience in commercial ac/ refrigeration and commercial kitchen equipment. This project would be a challenge to say the least. I would definitely need help from someone with technical and practical skills. But it's very cool! 👍
If using a live rear axle it's worth bearing in mind the effect that axle twist can have on the angle of the prop-shaft UJs. It's usually not a problem without leaf springs and a lot of power but still worth considering.
At first looking at this thumbnail and unfamiliar with your channel I was like "oh yeah, I know this car from lenos garage, its cool, but why listen to the guy about boring details?" Now: I am addicted. Give me more vids Matt.
So many cool little cars I would love to drive, but my giant freaking body is just not going to fit... Your little Honda S600 is beyond cool dude, I hope you have, and enjoy it for a long time!
Mateo, not really. As Anton says, aircooled CB450,, and water cooled S600. Different design studios and no parts commonality. The S600 rear drive was fully enclosed in cast alloy chain cases. The S600 engine was evolved from the S350 and then the S500, both water cooled 4 cylinder engines. Search out the TN500 for the light truck with the DOHC roller bearing crank with two two barrelled carburetors.
@ 7:30 "because if you are making this crap in your garage who knows what's going to happen." I love this guy. A man after my own creative heart. Very, very well done dude. Good science, good engineering, & pretty good welding. Stacking Dimes is not everyone's expertise. Excellent explanations. Read that part about torque again ! How simple can you get. ROCK ON. Now do me a favor and put a Diesel Engine in a motorcycle. We need to get this going again. ....and if you haven't seen it already, check out Jay Leno's page where a kid bought an in-line 4 cylinder Indian motorcycle engine (yeah 1936 was a good year), and made a car to go around it. Then drove it for 20 years from Mexico to Alaska and Calif to NY, and kept a diary of it the entire time. Yeah, motorcycle engines rule.
When I was stationed overseas, (late 70s early80s), I bought a car off a GI headed back to the world who didn’t want to spend the money to get smog equipment installed in the car so I got to buy it, for dirt cheap. But it was one of the first 600 sedans. I opened the hood and there sat a factory installed, 2 cylinder, 600cc engine that was exactly like a friend of mine’s bike back in the world. It would seat 4, had 10” wheels/tires, ran like a bat out of Wuhan. But I didn’t want to pay whatever it cost to get the smog equipment installed once it hit California, so I sold it to the next GI. Driving it through the hills of Luzon was a blast. It was smaller than a Mini Cooper. Ran for days on a gallon of real gas back then.
Amazingly clear video, Matt. Are you an engineer? While you say that it's "not as hard as it sounds", the design that went into the new motor mounts definitely sounds more complicated (in the planning) than my rudimentary skills would allow.
Lightened crx with a cbr1000 motor would be such a cool combo. Magnesium wheels, carbon everything possible, add a power commander to the 1000 motor. I would love to do this someday. I ride a cbr929rr, so I KNOW there is adequate power for a lightweight platform. Thanks for the video, great stuff, well done!
This is well done and well presented, however, as the previous owner of 5 different S600s and S800s over the years, it breaks my heart to see one of these relatively rare old cars chopped about. So, very mixed feelings :(
@Name Unavailable Can't argue with that. Too many old cars sit neglected for years. Even if not original, this car is being used the way it was intended (and then some!)
My dream is a beetle with the crossplane Yamaha 1,000cc. Yeah there's more powerful liter bike engines, but the added fun factor from the crossplane sound is what gets me.
I have an old austin healey very similar to the honda, small and slow. It doesent run and the motor has a boat load of problems so i decided i would swap a liter bike motor into it.Thanks for making this video because its helping me decide how to approach the swap
I just saw your Jay Leno video, that smile on Jays face said this is great and I looked at you as he hit higher revs what a grin, then I saw this and part 2, I like "we don't have that much money" but I need to add "the wife does not need to know or I have a sore head". Quality project, I don't remember seeing the clutch on the gear selector on Jay's site.
This HAS to be the most concise and informative video on RUclips. Well done. I’ve subscribed and can’t wait to see what else you have expertly taken the time to share. You inspired me to do something like this since the day Leno featured your creation, but I never realized if I wait a few years you would present the recipe. I need to start searchin’ Craigslist and OfferUp 😁. Thank you!
Don't see how you can describe this as a concise and informative video when it's two parts. He must know a decent chunk of his subscribers , if not a solid majority, are here for his dry humor and would never attempt an engine swap. I was okay with this being a 12min video but felt duped and a victim of clickbait upon learning its length is twice that. Maybe going forward he'll show consideration for his audience by including in the title wording such as 'part 1 of 2'. Disliked.
Very clear a detailed video, excellent quality. Not the typical stuff I'm used to watching, like "how Bubba done yanked his V8 and dropped it into the John Deere mower."
You've never heard of a Morgan......a "Car" with a motorcycle engine, from the early 1900s. They used a J.A.P. engine too ;). Common swaps now is the Hayabusa in a Mini, or Golf, or Anything. Should have restored the Honda, would have been more interesting. I think I'm going to put a Busa in a Moke.
I was wondering how to attach the counter sprocket to the driveshaft. Welding a tube on the counter sprocket and a plate on the other end sounds good to me or buy the adapter, I didn't know they were available until I saw this video. Very cool.
For some years i have this idea constantly. To build a unique car with an motorcycle engine. I don't have the budget or the knowledge yet but i have the plan :))
Once in Batley there was a Tin & Tat show at their local Frontier Bar /Club - The Show was run by a local branch of the Hells Angels - There was Hot Rods - Custom Bikes - Choppers - Custom Cars ! - You could have got tattoos done while you waited ? But what I'm writing about is a chopper that was in the custom bike show ! -That had a Range Rover engine transplanted into it ! - Honest - A massive lump ! - I have photos of it somewhere but it was amazing to see ? Great Shows ! - they did a couple of shows - Very busy - But the 3rd show didnt appear for some reason ? -The venue was pulled few year ago - So don't think we'll ever get any more Custom shows ! Great job on your motor - Very informative ! - thankyou for sharing !
Nice work. Did you consider grafting the whole rear subframe from a Honda S2000 with the rear diff., A-arms, brakes, half-shafts, etc.? I've seen these for sale and I would think the gear ratio in the S2000 diff. would mate well with a high revving bike engine.
I had a pipe dream many years ago of making a T-Bucket hotrod, miniature sized (maybe only big enough for one person) but powered by a Harley Davidson motorcycle engine. The only thing that stopped me was lack of money, time to do it and any actual skill!
Hi Matt, I have very similar set up to you. I am in college now but built it during high school. It is an MG midget with a bandit 1250 motor. Most of my engineering is the same as yours but less refined, I am running a solid axle in the rear with pushrod suspension. I am glad you made the comment about driveshaft loops. My driveshaft did come apart when testing, very scary with just the trans tunnel for protection. My biggest issues with the car a still gearing and the front spring rate. I'd love to send you some pictures if you are interested.
Skoda, no, not really. Only in suburban myths from people who never knew the cars. The water cooled DOHC four cylinder all roller bearing crankshaft 606cc engine was unique to the S600 series of cars. It evolved from the S350 that grew into the S500 and grew a little more to be the S600. With the right exhaust system at 6,000 rpm yes, they could be mistaken for the CB750, but only by sound.
Shared, I don't share a lot. WOW MAN! SO MUCH INFO! Even better: IT'S ALL USEFUL! I have been pondering some ways to do this, and you're amazing. Saw your Leno video, nice, but this video knocks Leno's out of the park. I like you Leno, but it's truth, I'm a real technical kinda guy.
Years ago my uncle told me about a Bug running around the next town over that had a pair of Harley engine attached via chains to the VW transmission. He talked to the guy who said the biggest problem had been getting the engines to rev at the same rpm
Boy does this video bring back a few memories. Here In Aussie me & a few of my mates had Honda S600's back in the early 70's. We used to rebuild them as they weren't too reliable with the 600cc motor in them & they were cheap. I had a worked 1200cc Corolla motor with twin sidedraft Webbers gearbox & diff I was going to put into a S600 - same colour as yours. Had all the chassis mounts ready to put in the drive train. Was going to use it as a club racer. Unfortunately work got in the way & I was transferred interstate with my job & had to sell the project as I had nowhere to complete it. Often wondered what happened to that car. Must confess back then putting a bike motor in one didn't come to mined. As for yours - what a great project.
I guess a man at my work was far ahead of his time. He drove to work in a Chevy Vega that was powered by a snow mobile engine. Complete with rope start.
Vagrants were not bad cars ,front end is the same as a Chevy Monster um monza
They now have competition bush planes that compete in STOL drags (a cool new sport category at Reno) that run 300hp snowmobile engines. It's a sight to see.
Two stroke or not, I bet his oil consumption was way less than other Vegas.
@@leifhietala8074 His only problem was driving to work on the Iowa winter's with no heater.
@ma tem Yep mine used a quart of Speedol about every 100 miles. Glad to see it disapear down the drive with the new owner.
Hey matt, i remember watching your car on jay leno back in 2015 and thinking how cool it would be to have a bike engined car. So i started building a locost 7 with the intentions of a bike motor. Safe to say your car was inspiration. Now its come full circle and my car is in your video at 6:12 and 6:17 lol
how do you connect the car drive shaft to the motorbike engine when the bike engine uses chain drive? And how did he do it in the video without using QAUIFE...?
@@goransvraka3171 Did you watch the video?
@@goransvraka3171 shaft driven motorcycles exist.
@@jorimills1368 BMW K bikes, 4 cyl, reverse, 100 to over 160hp and reverse. I have one and I want to but a K engine in my 64 Spitfire.
@@goransvraka3171 watch the video, nerd
"we don´t solve our problems with money, because we are adults... and because we dont have that much money"
Best cuote EVER!
"Quote"... but true facts
@@redvapez6771 Oh dont be so petty I bet English isn't his first language.
@@neilayers496 that's why I only corrected him not petty but helpful
RED vapez well it did come across as a bit ‘holier than thou’.
@@neilayers496
Naaa. He was fine. It wasn't nasty, in the least.
I love rewatching Matt's older videos. Its clear he has improved a lot in terms of production quality, but the videos really haven't changed. A lot of RUclipsrs completely change their style as time goes on, but Matt stays true to himself. I love it.
Agreed. Never change Matt!
best quote "throwing it into reverse and exploding all my shit", that's when I knew he was my people and i would subscribe
The morning after the night in Tijuana.
Money gear
this man knows i would just be going down I95 and be siting there playing with that lever
of course the alternative to that is gently putting it in reverse from a stop, then seeing how fast you can go backwards ...
This deserves way more views
Nicknags, I was stationed in Japan in the latter 60’s and I had an S600 coupe with left hand drive from Okinawa. Fantastic little car. Getting used to pulling 11,500rpm on a regular basis on this engine was somewhat unnerving. I sold it to a squadron safety officer on base. I then bought a new S800 coupe. Another fantastic vehicle! Only a 9,500 rpm redline. THIS , (yours) would have been a pure beast!
Why? He just sits there and talks. Show us. This is a video channel btw.
@@arttafil6792 Wow man, I have a 612 wheel horsepower 97 Honda Civic coupe and it has a fully built 1.8L DOHC VTEC turbo engine in it that is capable of 10,000+ rpm, and I get nervous revving it over 9k rpm...granted, that small of an engine making 11,500 rpm isn't nearly as rough as a much larger engine making that many revolutions, but my engine screams at 9k rpm.
@@arttafil6792 Also, thank you for sharing your experience with all of us! Salute!
Then watch it again
Excellent presentation! Clear helpful photos, clear audio, good rapid pace perfect English, just-the-facts, no "um," uh," unfinished or restarted sentences, irrelevant tangents or excessively long anecdotes. Entertaining use of humor. Directed at an audience who might actually put the info to use. Well done!
He’s very witty. I laughed at his excellent explanation of forces on a car using American units.
I bought a go-kart with what I was told was a Suzuki 175 motocross motor and 6 speed gear box. It was a monster with a top speed of 110 mph. It got there in 6 seconds. I've been wanting to fo exactly what you did here all of my life. Maybe I will, now.
This showed up in my recommendations... Just watched the Jay Leno video as well, and I can only imagine the sense of pride you felt when he was smiling ear to ear in something you built. Very well done!
Love how the entire list of things only placed the brakes as the last item to take care of. Take care of yourself Matt, you're one hell of a guy.
EDIT: Just realised, with that reverse box, you now also technically have the same number of gears backwards as you do forwards :|
going backwards at 45mph is fun
@@ilham7345 True... and you'll certainly scare the hell out of your passenger!!! 😂😂🤣👍
I can imagine being so confused thinking there was a Kawasaki Ninja outside, and you see a Miata for example just making noises of a Ninja.
The reverse was my problem -- If I will do it over again I will use a chain drive differential and an electric motor for reverse. What my problem on using driveshaft was the joints. Consider there is a one universal joint in the engine output shaft, the 2nd on the front reverse joint, the 3rd at the back of the reverse joint, the 4th in the middle of the driveshaft and the 5th on the differential joint.
You add the slacks together and you will notice so many things can happen and break and also to clunky.
Alibaba apparently sells like 10hp hub motors like in ebike conversion kits. Could you just have this kind of motor in the wheel? 5-10hp should be OK for a light car?
You could make it a hybrid if you have a motor that can reverse it. You don't need a huge battery pack or motor cooling, just something for some pep until the higher rev range is reached.
I've been a gear head almost all of my like and worked on a lot of stuff but never found any of it simple.
Because some of us do it right!
You and me both.
This is basically a convertible legends car. But seats 2, is already street legal and designed to run rain or shine. And they sound awesome. Imagine with a CBX engine, it would sound like a formula 1 car. Great video, and thanks a lot for putting this idea back in a retired guys head, just what I needed...
in the early 70's my grandfather took a brand new corvair and put a 2 stroke boat engine in it for the fuel savings. it was a whole process to drive and it couldn't do hills but it was pretty cool. as far as i know it's still running too.
For years now I've wanted to do a mazda MX5/Miata fitted with a Direct Injection 300hp 2 smoke V6 from an outboard...but life and the bank balance always says no.
@@unhippy1 I had a friend that dumped a street ported 13B in one...pretty cool combo. Not 300 hp, but pretty potent non the less.
I would prolly go for a small 12-volt powered motor for reverse. BMW does this for some of their heavy motorcycles, I believe they use the starter motor for that.
Years ago in the UK my father got hold of a 3 wheeled invalid carriage, he stripped the body off & put on i think an isseta front axle & made a kind of big Kart for me to sling round local fields when the crops had been cut. The engine was a 250 Villiers 9e (2 stroke). This had 4 gears forward & if you wanted 4 gears reverse!. I was told, & i was only 9 years old at the time it worked because pushing the ignition key down & turning you reversed the polarity & the engine ran backwards. Never questioned it & never thought any more about it ..until now. Think i need a closer look at the claims.
@@kevinparker461 Two stroke engines can run in both directions without any problem. Four stroke engines however, cannot.
Edit: So can a starter motor by simply reversing the polarity
kevin parker yeah, thats a 2 stroke thing, old 2 stroke diesel tractors do that as well (they even have an indicator on the dashboard to show that it cranks the wrong way around)
@@maxdippininmylolo6421 Thanks for that, was going to look more into it as that's what i was told as a lad. Very interesting.
But then you wouldnt have access to all six gears and 150+ HP in reverse.
I can remember when an auto/motorcycle “hybrid” was a small block Chevy V-8 on a motorcycle frame; usually seen at a drag strip.
Boss hogggg
Correction Boss hoss
Ah, the Michigan Madman and his bike, terrorizing drag strips east of the Mississippi. Pitty that he discovered he could make more money stuffing fighter plane engines in farm tractors and doing Friday night tractor pulls instead. And he didn't beat up his body nearly as badly.
Someone here in the UK a company built a Lotus 7 type car with two Kawasaki Hayabusa motors. It was seriously fast, like standing 1/4 in 2.xx seconds.
I was inspired to do an engine swap to a bike engine and then I found your video. I have a 1983 Datsun Nissan Sentra wagon. It's front wheel drive and much heavier so I'm worried about getting a big enough engine and the clutch burning up. Your videos still help a lot. Wish me luck.
I would love to see a video on that
definitely keep us all updated
Update?
My brother built a scooter with Briggs stationary engine and chrome barstool tube for exhaust. I got done for Unregistered vehicle, uninsured vehicle and unlicensed rider. Cop thought he was smart but solicitor was smarter! Judge actually laughed, thanks John.
11 seconds in, I was expecting to hear: "Hello and welcome to another episode of Jay Leno's garage"
Here in the UK a sports car manufacturer called Berkeley manufactured fibre glass bodied sportscar with a variety of two and four stroke motorcycle engines in the 1950-60s.
One was driven around Goodwood by Sterling Moss and their pioneering fibreglass monoque construction was a whole year ahead of Lotus.
They even used the 700cc Royal Enfield Constellation engine complete with electric start. I believe they have recently been resurrected as a company producing modern cars.
I considered a bike engine when uprating my Mini, but I went instead for a Honda B16A2: 1600 DOHC motor from a Civic. While the HP output from a good bike motor is comparable, there is NO comparison when it comes to torque, the stuff that gets you up and away, and out of corners on a race track or hillclimb. Round town I have nil interest in holding 6 to 10 grand all the time, just to get moving and keeping up with the cars I want to keep up with. The Mini weighs 700 kg all up and is a delight to drive at any speed. And the VTEC is a free lunch - a fuel efficient pussy cat down low and a howling beast under provocation when the VTEC kicks in. Sure, it weighs more than a bike motor, but it's a far better solution for round town and on hillclimbs.
I've never seen Jay Leno like someone's ride more ! good job man.
Yeah so this is pretty much my dream car. I grew up riding rice rockets in the '80s and I always wanted the Rev range and driving dynamics of a motorcycle engine in a small car. The only production car that ever came close was the Honda S2000. Good job Matt.
Did you not get the 97-99 EK9 Civic Type R in your country? My one revved to 8,300, you basically had to spin it that high to get any where, it made very little torque. :-)
Thanks for these videos helping me get ideas for my N600
Thank you so much for explaining solutions to problems you have solved. I am planning a project and love to see like minded folks accomplish their builds!
This is not only the best engineering nerd thing I’ve ever seen, it is the most badass thing I’ve ever seen.
This is the most simple yet comprehensive run through of something I’d have wanted to know for the last 5 years. Thank you bud.
Domeld Trimp 2024 bro. :) I like that American flag in your PFP.
The flag is pretty cool, but Trimp is not.
I’m so thankful that a friend recommended your channel to me. Your stoic mannerisms along with your quick witted sense of humor are an amazing combo. I look forward to watching more content from you.
My brother use to have 2 , 1959 Berkeleys. They were small fiberglass with aluminium belly pan, 500cc 2 cylinder motorcycle engines. Cars weighed in at around 700 pounds. One blew and engine so he replaced with a 750 honda. Front wheel drive and Neither had a reverse .
From 0-60 they were amazingly fast but didnt go much past 65 top speed.
Also. Im 6'4" and had plenty of leg room. Though it was easier to roll out of the car because it was so low.
He sold one and was rebuilding the other about 15 years ago, but some drive by scavengers stole the aluminum belly pan from his yard.
Dam Ham - I was waiting for some kind of conclusion or your opinion on what happened or something but you just tailed off and stopped...
I had a three wheeler Berkeley... The 4 wheeler SE492 with two stroke triple was really what I should have gone for: fantastic.
@@diyhell8712 I dont know all the models of Berleleys, the 2 my brother had reminded me of 9 foot long 53 vets. Lol.
But if anyones interested I found this. So you can still buy them.. barnfinds.com/tag/berkeley/
Did anyone else notice that Matt spoke for over 12 minutes and I don't think I heard a SINGLE "..uuhhhh...". Matt, first time viewer but I'll be back!!! Great vid, and apparently a great channel
!
I’ve wanted to do this for SO LONG! Glad someone did this
My first car was a 1972 Honda AZ600 Coupe (Blue). That had a 2-cylinder 600cc air cooled motorcycle engine. Curb weight was 1,260 pounds.
I now have a 1972 orange AZ600 that is currently being restored. Fun cars!
Was a couple of companies in the UK that were putting Hayabusa engines in smart cars ...Mad!
l thought about putting in a GSX1400 frame a GT 750 water Bottle 2-stroke engine , because (a)the bike has dream handling , (B) the engine is 2-stroke the smell & the noise of the 2-stroke is over powering to me , lol .
@@charles.stewart4422 2 stroke Motorcross bikes for me, always wanted a Kawasaki S1a road bike, never got one. But my uncle still has his Suzuki GT750. I'm too old for that now but 2 stroke was happy days!
Those smart cars outdrag a Mustang 500. Britty shwifty !!
@@kevinparker461 : Oh ok what Country do you live in , Does your uncle ride it on weekends ,my dream was to own one l had T250J ( my brother in law told me it was a T250r , also
had 4 xGT250 , now have a GSX1400K8 (4stroke) but still dream of a GT750 kind of .lol
@@charles.stewart4422 I am in the UK. My uncles bikes are just 'show ponies' think he only rides them occasionally, which is a shame. Only road bike i ever had was the 250 Suzuki Hustler. I mostly had MX bikes & i think in 1973 i was the only one in the UK with a Hodaka MX bike which i rode in schoolboy MX. That little thing made the Bultaco & Husqvarna lads take notice!. Shame Hodaka ceased trading & didn't make it to the UK.
I dropped a CBR929RR engine into a 12 foot aluminum boat. So the process you lay out is a fun one for me to watch. Good times.
What a superb presentation and narration, meticulously detailing the necessary procedures in order to have a safe and reliable engine and systems upgrade!
Excellent understanding of what is required, the engineering required to create it, and the explanation of it!
This video hugely exceeded my expectations and has added greatly to the knowledge base of MYOG (Make Your Own Gear) enthusiasts.
I'm looking forward to seeing episode two and your other videos. Subscribed.
So all I need besides the car, the bike engine, a lathe, a welder, the knowledge, a shitload of heavy duty power tools, a decent indoor space to work, and oh yeah, the knowledge.
I was trained and have experience in commercial ac/ refrigeration and commercial kitchen equipment. This project would be a challenge to say the least. I would definitely need help from someone with technical and practical skills. But it's very cool! 👍
If using a live rear axle it's worth bearing in mind the effect that axle twist can have on the angle of the prop-shaft UJs. It's usually not a problem without leaf springs and a lot of power but still worth considering.
At first looking at this thumbnail and unfamiliar with your channel I was like "oh yeah, I know this car from lenos garage, its cool, but why listen to the guy about boring details?" Now: I am addicted. Give me more vids Matt.
So many cool little cars I would love to drive, but my giant freaking body is just not going to fit...
Your little Honda S600 is beyond cool dude, I hope you have, and enjoy it for a long time!
Originally with a chain drive and an engine derived from the Honda CB450, the 600 series was basically a 4-wheel motorcycle to begin with.
CB450 around in 1963 & 4cyl watercooled? S600 completely unrelated to N360/600.
Mateo, not really. As Anton says, aircooled CB450,, and water cooled S600. Different design studios and no parts commonality. The S600 rear drive was fully enclosed in cast alloy chain cases.
The S600 engine was evolved from the S350 and then the S500, both water cooled 4 cylinder engines. Search out the TN500 for the light truck with the DOHC roller bearing crank with two two barrelled carburetors.
The reverse solution is so simple and common sense that it's genius!
... and you have a selection of gear ratios, too!
And you could actually drive it in reverse just as fast as going forward like in the movies. Wink wink.
Exploding all my 💩 lol! This is by far the funniest and sarcastic “how to videos” I have ever seen. Bravo!
For a Few Dollars More-Clint Eastwood "BRAVO"
@ 7:30
"because if you are making this crap in your garage who knows what's going to happen."
I love this guy. A man after my own creative heart. Very, very well done dude. Good science, good engineering, & pretty good welding. Stacking Dimes is not everyone's expertise.
Excellent explanations. Read that part about torque again ! How simple can you get. ROCK ON.
Now do me a favor and put a Diesel Engine in a motorcycle. We need to get this going again.
....and if you haven't seen it already, check out Jay Leno's page where a kid bought an in-line 4 cylinder Indian motorcycle engine (yeah 1936 was a good year), and made a car to go around it. Then drove it for 20 years from Mexico to Alaska and Calif to NY, and kept a diary of it the entire time. Yeah, motorcycle engines rule.
His is a fantastic walk-through!
The most important thing to keep in mind of you want to start a sort of the same project is the drity sock.
I had a S600 1966 in Australia . Great fun I widened wheels and installed a double exhaust. Car roadholding was fantastic.
When I was stationed overseas, (late 70s early80s), I bought a car off a GI headed back to the world who didn’t want to spend the money to get smog equipment installed in the car so I got to buy it, for dirt cheap. But it was one of the first 600 sedans. I opened the hood and there sat a factory installed, 2 cylinder, 600cc engine that was exactly like a friend of mine’s bike back in the world. It would seat 4, had 10” wheels/tires, ran like a bat out of Wuhan. But I didn’t want to pay whatever it cost to get the smog equipment installed once it hit California, so I sold it to the next GI. Driving it through the hills of Luzon was a blast. It was smaller than a Mini Cooper. Ran for days on a gallon of real gas back then.
Edward Snowden as a car guy lol
Love his sense of humour!
I guy I once talk too, made a 3wheel car, from scratch. He rigged up a starter motor somehow for reversing. He said it was slow bit worked good.
Funny but I didn't laugh out loud until 11:53... "Throwing it into reverse while driving down the road and exploding all my shit"
This man and his variety of skills are impressive
Amazingly clear video, Matt. Are you an engineer? While you say that it's "not as hard as it sounds", the design that went into the new motor mounts definitely sounds more complicated (in the planning) than my rudimentary skills would allow.
Lightened crx with a cbr1000 motor would be such a cool combo. Magnesium wheels, carbon everything possible, add a power commander to the 1000 motor. I would love to do this someday. I ride a cbr929rr, so I KNOW there is adequate power for a lightweight platform. Thanks for the video, great stuff, well done!
I've always wondered about the viability of such a project ... thank you!!
Thankyou. You're presentation on this build is so clear
Robbie
Your explanations are really good, and that's an amazing project!
agreed
You're Very 'Knowledgable' Matt!....A True 'Engineer'!
This is well done and well presented, however, as the previous owner of 5 different S600s and S800s over the years, it breaks my heart to see one of these relatively rare old cars chopped about. So, very mixed feelings :(
@Name Unavailable Can't argue with that. Too many old cars sit neglected for years. Even if not original, this car is being used the way it was intended (and then some!)
Hey, Dominic, long time no see. I've still got mine in pieces in the garage. One day I will.
My dream is a beetle with the crossplane Yamaha 1,000cc. Yeah there's more powerful liter bike engines, but the added fun factor from the crossplane sound is what gets me.
"Here's Why and How"
How: work
Why: awesome
Done it in 2011 . Seat Marbella CBR 1000 . Converted to rwd made everything even traction bars . Passed 2 Mots and even emmisions
Love the car, but love the dry humor more. "Exploding all my shit" had me rolling
I have an old austin healey very similar to the honda, small and slow. It doesent run and the motor has a boat load of problems so i decided i would swap a liter bike motor into it.Thanks for making this video because its helping me decide how to approach the swap
The Mistubishi mirage G4 would be the perfect car for this conversation 😁
Try Suzuki Cappuccino or AutoZam AZ1
man, you literally built my dream car... nice video
... and a dirty sock ... priceless! (Great video, thanks Matt!)
I just saw your Jay Leno video, that smile on Jays face said this is great and I looked at you as he hit higher revs what a grin, then I saw this and part 2, I like "we don't have that much money" but I need to add "the wife does not need to know or I have a sore head".
Quality project, I don't remember seeing the clutch on the gear selector on Jay's site.
This HAS to be the most concise and informative video on RUclips. Well done. I’ve subscribed and can’t wait to see what else you have expertly taken the time to share. You inspired me to do something like this since the day Leno featured your creation, but I never realized if I wait a few years you would present the recipe. I need to start searchin’ Craigslist and OfferUp 😁. Thank you!
Don't see how you can describe this as a concise and informative video when it's two parts. He must know a decent chunk of his subscribers , if not a solid majority, are here for his dry humor and would never attempt an engine swap. I was okay with this being a 12min video but felt duped and a victim of clickbait upon learning its length is twice that. Maybe going forward he'll show consideration for his audience by including in the title wording such as 'part 1 of 2'. Disliked.
@@NVdirtworshipper 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
My family had a 1969 Fiat 850 Spider convertible which was rear engine rear wheel drive. It was a 4 cyl pushrod engine w/ a 4 speed transmission.
"but I'm cheap" honest car builds
Very clear a detailed video, excellent quality. Not the typical stuff I'm used to watching, like "how Bubba done yanked his V8 and dropped it into the John Deere mower."
You've never heard of a Morgan......a "Car" with a motorcycle engine, from the early 1900s. They used a J.A.P. engine too ;). Common swaps now is the Hayabusa in a Mini, or Golf, or Anything. Should have restored the Honda, would have been more interesting. I think I'm going to put a Busa in a Moke.
*WOW* A youtube video with actual usable information from beginning to end - AMAZING...!!!
So 100 mph also available in reverse !
A bit like the DAF variomatics...
Also, good video.
FAN. FREAKING. TASTIC! Wowzer, what a fabulous machine!!!
"lathed out" 😂😂 that's the proper terms. Doing some lathing on turning machine😂 good video💪
I was wondering how to attach the counter sprocket to the driveshaft. Welding a tube on the counter sprocket and a plate on the other end sounds good to me or buy the adapter, I didn't know they were available until I saw this video. Very cool.
Fantastic idea, how about a yamaha V-MAX 1200 engine in a mx5 because it already has a shaft drive. GREAT VIDEO.
This is well worth watching it has answered all the queries I had regarding drive shaft linking to the bike engine, now for part two. Many thanks.....
i always thought it was weird that such a tiny transmission could push around the weight of a car.
Secret is tiny gears spinning fast I think . low weight of vehicle .
Your humor is ….fantastic!!
For some years i have this idea constantly. To build a unique car with an motorcycle engine. I don't have the budget or the knowledge yet but i have the plan :))
Once in Batley there was a Tin & Tat show at their local Frontier Bar /Club - The Show was run by a local branch of the Hells Angels - There was Hot Rods - Custom Bikes - Choppers - Custom Cars ! - You could have got tattoos done while you waited ?
But what I'm writing about is a chopper that was in the custom bike show ! -That had a Range Rover engine transplanted into it ! - Honest - A massive lump ! - I have photos of it somewhere but it was amazing to see ?
Great Shows ! - they did a couple of shows - Very busy - But the 3rd show didnt appear for some reason ? -The venue was pulled few year ago - So don't think we'll ever get any more Custom shows !
Great job on your motor - Very informative ! - thankyou for sharing !
Nice work. Did you consider grafting the whole rear subframe from a Honda S2000 with the rear diff., A-arms, brakes, half-shafts, etc.? I've seen these for sale and I would think the gear ratio in the S2000 diff. would mate well with a high revving bike engine.
Excellent video my friend, just picked up a 76 midget. Going to have some fun thank you for the excellent information, and jokes.
"The hottest of rods." And flattest.
I had a pipe dream many years ago of making a T-Bucket hotrod, miniature sized (maybe only big enough for one person) but powered by a Harley Davidson motorcycle engine. The only thing that stopped me was lack of money, time to do it and any actual skill!
How much for the dirty sock
Hi Matt, I have very similar set up to you. I am in college now but built it during high school. It is an MG midget with a bandit 1250 motor. Most of my engineering is the same as yours but less refined, I am running a solid axle in the rear with pushrod suspension. I am glad you made the comment about driveshaft loops. My driveshaft did come apart when testing, very scary with just the trans tunnel for protection. My biggest issues with the car a still gearing and the front spring rate. I'd love to send you some pictures if you are interested.
I follow 2Stroke Turbo and he's wondering what motor to put in his 1957 fibre glass racecar. I suggested he check your channel out
Honda Scamp and Honda Z. Both had 360 cc Motorbike engines. Owned both. Would rev to 9000 Revs.
This Honda pretty much already had a motorcycle engine.
Yeah Why didn't he mention that? I believe honda s600 was one of the first car produced by honda, up to that honda only created motorcycles.
Skoda, no, not really. Only in suburban myths from people who never knew the cars. The water cooled DOHC four cylinder all roller bearing crankshaft 606cc engine was unique to the S600 series of cars. It evolved from the S350 that grew into the S500 and grew a little more to be the S600. With the right exhaust system at 6,000 rpm yes, they could be mistaken for the CB750, but only by sound.
Shared, I don't share a lot. WOW MAN! SO MUCH INFO! Even better: IT'S ALL USEFUL! I have been pondering some ways to do this, and you're amazing. Saw your Leno video, nice, but this video knocks Leno's out of the park. I like you Leno, but it's truth, I'm a real technical kinda guy.
Hi Matt. Love your car. With 13* driveshaft angle, why not use CV instead of U-joints?
Years ago my uncle told me about a Bug running around the next town over that had a pair of Harley engine attached via chains to the VW transmission. He talked to the guy who said the biggest problem had been getting the engines to rev at the same rpm
Biggest problem with motorcycle engines is the low torque. That's why you want a very light vehicle
Boy does this video bring back a few memories. Here In Aussie me & a few of my mates had Honda S600's back in the early 70's. We used to rebuild them as they weren't too reliable with the 600cc motor in them & they were cheap. I had a worked 1200cc Corolla motor with twin sidedraft Webbers gearbox & diff I was going to put into a S600 - same colour as yours. Had all the chassis mounts ready to put in the drive train. Was going to use it as a club racer. Unfortunately work got in the way & I was transferred interstate with my job & had to sell the project as I had nowhere to complete it. Often wondered what happened to that car. Must confess back then putting a bike motor in one didn't come to mined. As for yours - what a great project.
i have a 2005 scion xb. wish me luck XD