Motorcycles with chain and sprockets on the right hand side?

[Damon]

Hi all,

I am finally going to start the engine swap on my rs125 but first of all I need to gather a list together of some water cooled dirt bikes that came with the chain and sprokets on the right hand side of the bike.

They need to be between 250cc and 350cc 2 strokes to be realistic. Also, I'd ideally like to get a whole (well as whole as possible) bike rather than buying the engine and having to purchase parts as and when I need them. Does anyone have any ideas of where I can go about finding such bikes.

Thanks all

Damon

[G]

Keep an eye out for a KTM350 - mine I reckon would make an excellent fun road bike engine - no powervalve, so quite revvy; enough go below the powerband, then a big kick as you got in to it (listed as 51hp peak).

Keep an eye on the place to buy dirt bikes post - see sticky at the top of the off road and supermoto section.

[skatefreak]

I know this isnt really of much use but some of the old NSR250 GP had the chain/sprocket of the right hand side.
Not so usefull as that'll cost a lot and their fairly old/rare engines to come accross...

Saying that, their compact, 250cc, 2 strokes racing engines :p

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UazjlEXFTmo/TDoip2eCcuI/AAAAAAAAADM/dLeh6zXzKGU/s1600/nsr250.jpg

-Jvr

[Kickstart]

Hi

Easiest one is a Rotax 257 engine, used in a few enduro bikes (and also karts).

All the best

Keith
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[Teflon-Mike]

Given the creative metalwork you'll be undertaking anyway, wouldn't it be less constricting on finding suitable donor, to simply plan on flipping the wheel and making up a RH brake carrier?
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[Kickstart]

[Damon]

Mike, as Keith stated the swingarm has a chain route through one side. The RS swingarm is an amazing piece of work but does mean I'm stuck with a right hand side drive bike

Keith. Was the rotax 257 engine fitted to any bikes at all? I always thought it was just a kart engine. I have a new style RS but they share the same frame (slightly different mounting points) the charging system is different though. Is this why it is better to use the older model RS for this conversion?

Failing that I'll get a CR250 engine and fit it back to front. it'll be the worlds first backwards bike

Thanks for your help all

[Frost]

Why does the chain go on the right sometimes? I thought it always went on the left, same side as the side stand to stop chain lube dripping onto the wheel & tire?

[Damon]

To be honest I'm not too sure. It seems to be a Rotax thing. Bloody annoying...

I'm sure Keith / Mike will be along with a proper answer in a minute

[Frost]

Some places say it's to do with gearbox design. But it's a change from the norm for what is probably an unnoticeable difference to the rider.

[neatbik]

I was told Rotax went that way because of their history of making engines for speedway bikes, not sure if thats true though.

[Kickstart]

Hi

The 257 was sold in some enduro bikes, but not sure how many if any were sold in the UK. ATK made a bike using it. Peter Knight might be able to source one for you.

The kart spec ones have FAR closer ratio gearboxes and no power valve.

It bolts straight into the early RS frame and the ignition / charging system is pretty much the same as the 123 bikes.

Not sure why they put the kick start on the left. Possibly from the time when side cars were far more common, and a right hand kick start on a bike for rhd markets with the side car on the right would be a pain.

All the best

Keith
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