2007-10-07 18:16:29 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Yes,
Rotax engines have been used for years in ultralights, and they are used in motorcycles too.
If you use a motorcycle engine (from a motorcycle) it will never pass FAA, so go for the right motor in the first place.
2007-10-08 11:47:33 · answer #1 · answered by Jim! 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would not be my first choice as 99% of motorcycle engines have transmissions built into their cases. This would make the prop drive system more complicated and add extra weight. Not to mention many modern cycles are liquid cooled which adds more complications. Most purpose built ultralight engines are more akin to snowmobile engines. I do know a local ultralight guy who used an old VW engine with two cylinders lopped off and the case shortened. There are probably many other options out there, but, for safeties sake you'ld probably be better off sticking with whats been tried and true.
2007-10-07 18:34:59 · answer #2 · answered by G B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the experimental category flight approval is not that big of an issue. The real obstacle is the duty cycle of the engine design. Most bike engines are in the 20% duty cycle category, that is, the engine is rated to deliver only 20% of available power at a steady clip, with full power used only very rarely and for short periods. In contrast, most aircraft engines are used at 75%-100% power for long periods. They are just set and left to run often for hours on end, at very high power settings. They are built entirely differently just for this reason. Your bike engine idea would work but the engine can t be oversized (like the KZ1000J is, dramatically) without violating the "incapable-of-level-flight-speed-greater... rule for ultralights (FAR 103). And a properly-sized bike engine of 300-500cc s won t last very long because of the duty cycle issue. Believe me, if it was possible to use any kind of cheap, readily available engine up in the air we d all be doing it.
2016-05-18 21:57:49 · answer #3 · answered by ying 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Some ultra lights are designed specifically for motorcycle engines.
2007-10-07 18:21:48 · answer #4 · answered by jimanddottaylor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes
2007-10-07 19:46:23 · answer #5 · answered by FORD-MAN 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, but I would check with an ultralight designer to make sure which one you would want to use.
2007-10-07 18:19:16 · answer #6 · answered by fastsaf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yup
2007-10-07 18:20:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋