Radial Engine Powered Motorcycle

The Kneeslider, JRL Cycles ^ | May 2006 | The Kneeslider

[StarfireIV]

The radial engine is a thing of beauty and it looks like several other folks think the same thing. After we posted the radial motorcycle yesterday, we contacted Rotec Engineering, makers of these 7 cylinder radial engines, and according to them, there are at least 4 of these projects in various stages of completion at the present time. Yesterday’s bike and this one as well seem to be a bit short of running. I see no provisions for exhaust yet and no front brakes. This bike has no handlebars either so we’re still in the building stage. At first glance, you wonder if these guys are serious but these do seem to be real works in progress.

[CrazyIvan]

There used to be such a thing marketed as an "Accu-Sump" It's a pre-oiler that saves oil and pressure in a tank kind of like a pressure tank for a well. It used an electric valve to release the oil pressurized during the last running before starting and also made up for low pressure at low rpm or pump cavitation. Not hard to make, especially if you substitute a manual valve. It may still be around.

[Centurion2000]

That thing is hideous.

[El Gato]

How many time has the radial engine been reborn? Every time so far it's proved to be a good air pump and that's about all

Friend of mine had a Saab (or maybe a Volvo) of 60's vintage that had a radial engine in it. Three cylinders, IIRC. It was mounted with the plane of the pistons tilted back from the front bumper to the base of the windshield, more or less. Seemed to work fine, always started, even in Nebraska winters. Since it was air cooled, it used a separate gasoline powered heater, rather than air ducted over the cooling fins like early VW bugs did.

As to radials being nothing but air pumps, the folks who flew B-17s, B-29s, P-47 Thunderbolts, and F-4U Corsairs, as well as FW-190s and Mitsubishi Zeros would probably disagree.

I think a variant on the Wankel (as in the rotary engined Mazda RX-8) might make a good compact high powered motorcycle engine too.

[drlevy88]

looks like it has a ferris wheel for a motor

[johnboy]

i've never even been on a motorcycle in my life (i'm 51). i would buy one of those, though.

[AlaskaErik]

i've never even been on a motorcycle in my life (i'm 51). i would buy one of those, though.

Man, you don't know what you're missing. We're about the same age and I still ride. Been doing it for 40 years.

[gonzo]

"...The big advance in radial engine technology came about on late WW1 airplanes when it was decided to stop spinning the entire crankcase while holding the crankshaft stationary..."

That would be the Le Rhone Rotary engine.

No wonder ya needed goggles flying one of those - oil flyin' everywhere.................FRegards

[KDD]

This is basically a pair of cylinders off a Rolls Royce Merlin aero engine originally fitted to a Mosquito bomber.

Lucky Keizer's 5 litre V twin.

[Liberal Classic]

At first, I thought this article was about a Wankel engine. Not a rotary, but a radial!

Anyway, here's a picture of a Wankel bike, a Suzuki RE-5, with a single rotor ~500cc displacement engine.

[Smokin' Joe]

My god, think about the HEAT coming off that sucker. But you would have plenty of torque.

I can see airflow and cooling problems somewhere there.

It looks like 3 1/2 v-twins to me.

[RS]

"Millet had patented his first motorcycle in 1888, and had several improved versions. It incorporated a radial engine around the hub of the rear wheel, with the five cylinders rotating around the hub."

[Smokin' Joe]

Better, more even cooling across the jugs, too, from the looks of it.

[The Chief]

Gee I wonder how Paul Jr of American Chopper would use that design in the bikes they build at Orange County Choppers?

FYI I live just 7 miles from the OCC Shop, and in my former life as a taxi cab driver I actually drove Mikey to work a few times, my former companies cars are actually in a few episodes, oh and BTW he is a good tipper! :-)

[drlevy88]

instead of potato potato it would go hashbrown hashbrown

[Smokin' Joe]

LOL!

[monkeyshine]

Gas tank where it always goes, but only 1 gallon, very slender? Or in front of the rotary with fuel injection?

[Westlander]

Had a 4 speed Mazda RX-2. I could beat any V8 under 350 cui with an automatic.

[wolficatZ]

"I hope no one posts any WW2 aircraft."

No Supermarine Seafire pics, please!

[Myrddin]

Nice looking bike. If it accelerates like the Mazda RX2, it must be a scary beast to ride.

[drlevy88]

It looks like there would be a fair amount of room, beneath the seat.