Common V twin engines and widths?

[m1tch]

Hi all,

I am just researching bike engines for a project, I was planning on getting a single cylinder dirt bike engine like a CR250, I was then thinking about V twin engines (due to the space limitations the engine can't be that wide).

I have seen the Honda VTR engines (400 - 1000) are v twin and seem to be fairly common, found a whole project VTR400 bike for £250! I am just wondering what sort of width the engine was or indeed if I can have some suggestions as to V twin engines that are common - guessing the Honda VTR engines are the most common?

Thanks in advance!

[chris-red]

The most common V Twin would be a Suzuki SV650 as far as I know Honda have never made a VTR400 only 250s and 1000's
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[m1tch]

[stonesie]

Thats a 'Pointy' (MK2) engine, to get that running you would need oil and water cooling and either the rest of the fuel injection system or a set of carbs from an earlier bike (curvey - upto 2002)

[Vincent]

Here you go:-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-BROS-400-Engine-50k-miles-Carbs-/120839750616?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item1c229c43d8
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[Vincent]

Here you go:-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-BROS-400-Engine-50k-miles-Carbs-/120839750616?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item1c229c43d8
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[m1tch]

[Vincent]

You'd have to check with Honda but I would have thought most parts are still available. I doubt you would need new pistons, they're a low revving engine and, if looked after, should be fairly bullet proof. There's a 650 version too.
There are several Bros owners past and present on here, they'll know more than me about reliability.
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[Mikey3]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-SV-650-engine-2000-spares-repair-/220927922670?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item33705491ee#ht_500wt_1202


Have a look at that mate, its the 2000 spec SV650 engine, Carbs too s o you don't have the complications of Fuel Injection, might help ease the understanding.
HTH
Mike
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[weasley]

Honda NTV?

Monster?
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[m1tch]

[Robby]

What is the project?

If its something like a go-kart, a 50-60hp engine will be seriously quick, and you'll need to have a strong chassis design with decent welding to make it work.

[jamesrs250]

[Mikey3]

[G]

Approximately 360mm for the crankcases and 220mm across both cylinders for the non FI model, but pretty sure all those details are the same.

New con rods means new new crank, which is generally expensive and hassle.

[m1tch]

[Robby]

A few more things to consider then.

The sump will need some playing with. In bikes, the bike leans when it corners, keeping the oil in the bottom of the sump. In a kart, the engine is always upright so the oil can slosh away from the pickup during longer corners. No oil = knackered engine. Deeper, baffled sump with a longer pickup is useful.

You also don't want to be playing with the orientation of the engine - if you lay it forwards/backwards/sideways without sorting out the oiling then you will have a problem.

Have a look at the Honda XL600R. It's a 600cc single, making about 35hp, would be quite good in a cart. Dry sump with an oil tank too, which sorts out the oiling.

Don't bother just buying an engine, buy an MOT failure bikes so you see it running, and have the carbs, electrics and wiring, and exhaust.

[m1tch]

[Robby]

A VFR400 is exactly what you don't want. An NC24 in particular, because they are the worst bike in the world.

It's a V4, 400cc, 55hp bike. Absolute bastard to work on. To wide for what you want to do, and peaky power delivery.

I would take a broad torque spread over peaky power delivery any day of the week in a kart, I want the back to break traction in a gradual and controllable way. This is also the reason I would avoid 2-strokes.

How are you going to work out the clutch and gears?

[m1tch]

[G]

[m1tch]

[Vincent]

How about a Suzuki RGv250 lump then - still a V2. I can remember the 2 stroke Zip Karts from the '70s they were great fun and bleeding fast
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[m1tch]