Are there any rotary engines made by Mazda small enough to be mounted on the frame of a motorcycle? I mean, it would likely be a larger frame (goldwing-size) but is it possible?

 

Maybe I can get a custom frame built around the engine...? Maybe that's the way to go.

Now since this is a motorcycle I'll have to mount the engine transverse...

Belt drive or chain? I'll have to figure out something...

These damned project ideas drive me nuts!

 

YES - go here and scroll down

http://www.dataphone.se/~berglund/wankel/swedenii/

 

Guys build bikes with V8's So It should be easy enough to do one with a rotary

 

Chrysler/Dodge even made one with a Viper engine... Anything is possible, if you know how and can raise the funds
Eamon Hurley build a Drag bike with a NSU Ro80 engine (highly modded) and those were 1.0l (= same size as a 10A). Van Veen used Comotor engines, basicly the same as the NSU. Norton used similar sized engines. So a 12A seems not that far of.
Biggest decision are wether to use chain/belt or driveshaft. If you go for a belt (or chain) you can opt for a setup as on most Harley Davidsons, and use a seperate gearbox. This would greatly simplify the construction, as the engine and 'box are seperate items, and frame rails can run in between for strength.
With a bike you don't need a flywheel (only a counterwheight and a starterring) nor a real alternator.
Custom frame seems only way to go, since the dimensions of a rotary are different from any "normal" bike engines.
But it'd be a cool project.

 

a long time ago, an old neighborhood buddy had an old suzuki RE5. We all thought it was the coolest 2 stroke in the world. He'd always yell at us " It's a wankel" ( but he'd say it Venckill - lol )

That thing was awwesome.


But yeah, with all the v8's and such in bikes, I don't see why you couldn't put it in a bike. Even mounted transverse, it's still a pretty compact engine.


|M|

 

600cc motor out of the suzuki RE-5 is your best bet, very compact. or you could chuck a 12A in if you want. but be aware the reason noone bought rotary bikes when they came out is coz they have a gyroscope effect due to the spinning rotors, with the small RE-5 cornering was difficult because the bike tended to pull straight and greatly understeer. id imagine this would be far worse with a big 12A or 13B in it. but prove me wrong if you want.

 

make it a trike like I am going to build soon, anyone got a one rotor laying around??

 

Now that is a great Idea.

 

why the hell would you want a single rotor in a trike?
IT will be really underpowered, and hey- a trike can accomodate a much larger engine than a bike.

 

trike + 26b FTW

 

^ if you're balzy enought to full throttle it!

 

rotary trike would ******* rock the kazbar.
wouldnt have to worry about the gyroscope effect and allows much safer delivery of high power. with enough motivation you could easily fit in a 12A or 13B, not sure about 20B, not saying it isnt possible but youd have to do some planning.