Long time, big progress...

Long time since last update, but here we go:

Engine has been moved, since the position with "flywheel front" did not give enough ground clearence.

Had to be positioned low because of the starter, so I ditched this idea.

I also had the portunity of trying out a Kubota 1105T engine, a compact little nice turbo-charged unit, but at the price I was asked (3000€...) that was over my budget, so had to bring it back.

Shame really, at 34 hp, and turbocharged, it would have been a perfect match, but hey, I could not afford it...

So back to the old Yamar 3TNV76, 26 hp standard. Major difference in flywheel size on these two engines!

The Yanmar has a massive 21 kg, 30 cm flywheel, where the Kubota is just over 20 cm in diameter and considerably thinner...

Engine well in place now, and starting to look good...

Transmission:
This is what I have been doing all these months.
Evenry now and then, get into the garage and just sit there, thinking about how to solve the transmission issue!

I have thought about:
1: Manual 6 speed gearbox, contents from Kawasaki KLE500, machine my own housing.
Did not happen because I lack machining competence (needs precision) and I also lack sufficient CAD skills to present a good enough drawing to someone that actually HAS the precision...

2: Other gearbox.
Did not happen because I could not find a small enough gearbox anywhere.
Remind you, the macine is originally japanese 1000cc inline-4, shaft drive...

3: Convert to Chain drive and mount engine in different direction:
No way!

4: Centrifugal clutch, single speed.
Nope, not after what I read on a forum about eating clutches...

5: Converter from automatic transmission (car).
NOW we are talking!
But turned out to be too complex, maybe for next project, but on this project simplicity is KING, so no converter.

6: Out of ideas...

And then:
Take the existing KLE crankcase, cut away everything I do not need and weld plates covering up the holes, making it into a stand-alone gearbox!
Not as sweet as making a new housing, but possible!
So this is what I am working on now.

Clutch:
Will use 2 A-profile V-belts (1/2") with tensioner, just like a lawnmower...

Flywheel:
Shaved off 3 kg today, not so much for the weight, as for the 8mm I could save!
It is COMPACT in that frame, since I will not change the basic structure of the frame...

So yes, I am making progress!

Now I just need to learn how to weld aluminium, since my local company with that specific competence have a massive 8 weeks(!!) waiting list...

More to come

Drive safely
/B