6 replies to this topic

[Mickey]

Hi,

 

I am just looking again at a project involving an Austin mini and conversion to Motorbike, i have noticed the thread below but i am now looking for some technical advice on how to do it myself. I will be stabbing in the dark with this one and learning as i go as i have no skill in mechanics other than a little bit of work on a small paramotor engine and petrol model aircraft, regarding cars, I am lacking. However, I am willing to learn! Is taking an old Austin mini and saving it from the crusher and adding an old r1 engine to it a challenge only for the trained and experienced mechanic or is the Austin basic enough to get spanners and get hands on, with the occasional help from my local garage down the road? Furthermore, what budget would someone need to do this? I have the plans in my mind but will need to draw them up in a 3D model for you all to see shortly so that i can piece together what needs doing and what needs to be bought before diving into it. But any advice would be greatly appreciated and any experiences with this also!

 

Thank you

Mike

[KernowCooper]

Are you adding a bike engine for performance or just a project you fancy doing, is it going to be a FWD Bike conversion ? or a RWD Conversion? the RWD Bike Minis need careful driving. You will need a lot of engineering skills to complete the Job, a Mini can be worked on with basic tools,but the conversion your thinking off will require a lot of skills and electrical knowledge . Not trying to put you off but if you have no mechanical qualifications and new to mechanics your going to struggle a fair bit

 

Have a look in our section covering Bike engined Minis

Edited by KernowCooper, 21 December 2014 - 10:24 PM.

[sonikk4]

If you look at the Promotive kit and Lynx you will see just how much work goes into designing something fit for purpose. Not for the faint hearted but given enough time anything is possible.

[Icey]

Budget for £5k - £10k depending on the quality of parts you use, how much you buy vs fabricate and what tools you'll need to buy. Transplants of any kind aren't cheap.

 

If you really have zero mechanical knowledge I'd suggest just getting the car working with a standard A-series engine first so you understand how they bolt together and you have a solid base to work with.

[Mickey]

Thank you everyone, i was looking at rwd but which ever is easier, however, after going into this deeper just having a mini to play around with for now seems logical. 5-10 isn't a bad budget though and i have the time so it is tempting! have any of you done it?

[Icey]

Not a bike but as mentioned on here many times, we got about 80% through a Vauxhall conversion. We got fed up with the time and money it was taking and went back to an A-series.

 

Have you looked at the projects section? There's a sub-forum dedicated to this topic:

 

http://www.theminifo.../168-motorbike/

[69k1100]

People wrongly assume they can put another engine and drivetrain layout into a mini and get good results. The truth is you can't. The car was designed with layout, suspension geometry and weight distribution working together, Issigonis wouldn't have bothered unless he knew the car would drive as predicted.

If you start playing around with any side of the equation you can pretty much ditch the other side too. It's not an impossible task but realistically your headspace needs to be envisaging a shell, with or without a floor and a roll cage that ties rear suspension to front, not unlike a space frame.

Great project, but do budget for a professional to make it drive able (and possibly quite quick)