What engine to power a Featherbed frame?

**Ixion** · 6th November 2009, 21:12

A featherbed would not cope with the power of a modern litre engine (I'm sure someone's done it, and I'm sure I don't want to ride it).

Look for an engine with a nice flat torque curve developing maybe 60 or 70 bhp.

Greyhound, not elephant.

A Harley would make a lot of sense.

The other thing is , it really needs to be an aircooled engine. Just cos it DOES, OK.

**Badcat** · 6th November 2009, 21:25

Originally Posted by Ixion

Could you shoehorn a Ducati engine in ?

A Yamaha TRX 850 or 900 should be worth a look.

YEAH
a TRX!
that would be cool!
do that!

**Eurodave** · 6th November 2009, 21:30

Hi Gavinnz, Have a good look at what Im currently doing...........however youll need to log in to see the pix
http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=8418.0

**gavinnz** · 6th November 2009, 21:44

Originally Posted by Eurodave

Hi Gavinnz, Have a good look at what Im currently doing...........however youll need to log in to see the pix
http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=8418.0

Cool! Whats the engine size??
Regards
Gavin

**Eurodave** · 6th November 2009, 21:48

Its a 726cc industrial motor youd find in big lawn tractors etc ,with a bit of work it should put out reasonable hp & excellant torque....

**gavinnz** · 6th November 2009, 21:53

Wow some good ideas their guys...

Vincent twin it top for me.
Second is that J.A.P. v twin, would be very cool.
But sadly both out of my range money wise.
I was considering XV920 or Harley Sportster.
Was not sure if I should go Iron head Sportster for the look and more correct period or Evo Sportster for more modern usablily.... but on either I would use two front heads. To get both exhausts facing forwards.... it's been done.

Daves engine made me think of a 950 round barrel Guzzi turned around and running a British gearbox!

Regards
Gavin

**Eurodave** · 6th November 2009, 21:59

Originally Posted by gavinnz

Daves engine made me think of a 950 round barrel Guzzi turned around and running a British gearbox!Gavin

Like this one? Doable but Guzzi parts could be expensive

**gavinnz** · 6th November 2009, 22:36

Well a quick dash to the garage tells me a Guzzi 950 round barrel is 520mm across the barrels amd 490mm from sump to top of barrels... plus or minus 10mm... anyone got a featherbed handy to measure??
Gavin

**Hinny** · 6th November 2009, 22:53

Originally Posted by Ixion

The other thing is , it really needs to be an air-cooled engine.

Good point.

**LBD** · 7th November 2009, 00:54

Depend on what you want to end up with...?

There were a few 850 Norton Commandos in featherbeds that I beleive were always a good combo...

Yamaha TX850 or a modern Triumph engine....or of you want to replicate the racers of a bygon era....how about a modern Indian built Royal Enfield?

**hospitalfood** · 7th November 2009, 01:17

BMW boxer twin would be my choice

**gavinnz** · 7th November 2009, 01:20

Originally Posted by hospitalfood

BMW boxer twin would be my choice

Thanks one I thought about and have not seen done. I expect it's the final drive that buggers up an otherwise fine plan!
Regards
Gavin

**jonbuoy** · 7th November 2009, 04:17

+ one on the Ducati - wrecked monster or a wrecked modern Triumph?

**Blackbird** · 7th November 2009, 06:15

Of course, you could forget about twins and go for a nice big single thumper from one of the big trailies and make a Manx "replica"!

**Voltaire** · 7th November 2009, 06:25

Originally Posted by Eurodave

Hi Gavinnz, Have a good look at what Im currently doing...........however youll need to log in to see the pix
http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=8418.0

I would think a BMW motor would slot in there very easily....