Not sure why you'd want to, but....

Can't help but worry about the oil pump pickup going uncovered... yes bikes lean but the same forces keeping you in the seat are throwing oil at least in the general direction of the pickup. You can be flying straight but banked, pointing up, down.

Dry sump conversion would be possible, but I have a feeling that wasn't done there
 
Virago 1100 made 80HP?

neat that they used the integral transmission
never seen a plane with a shifter before
assuming the engine is mounted backwards and the output to shaft drive spins the prop?

don't see mention of it, but I wonder if it was modified for dual spark?
 
So much no for me. No dual spark, no bike engine I would trust for hours at rated hp, oil issues as raised above, no ducted airflow to force cool the engine, power goes through a clutch and transmission before getting to prop (again, I have no faith in these being happy with hours at rated power as they typically only see seconds in a bike).

Cool project in a boat, in a plane, I need an engine I can trust.
 
If you look at the picture of the engine please notice the big oil cooler UNDER the motor.
Oil pickup in the sump> cooler> oil tank with a bladder = dry sump conversion.
Every motorcycle engine I can think of would be quite happy as a dry sump. They're designed that way.
Oil cooler out in the air stream like that will keep the engine nice and cool.... transmission too, seeing how they share oil... and there would be virtually NO heat in the transmission if you're not using the clutch.
It would be easy to get 100 HP out of a XV1100, so the rated is 80% of the maximum. That motor will run at 80% all day, all night... and because there is still a transmission; takeoff at full rich in third gear at 7500RPM, then clank it into fifth and back off to 3000 RPM... BRILLIANT!

You guys that wouldn't trust a modern Virago motor in a WW1 bi-plane should NEVER see the motors that came in them originally. 400 lb 4 cylinder motors putting out 60 HP... when they were running right.

Old English joke: If Norton made airplanes, would you get in one?
 
TwistedKestrel said:
Can't help but worry about the oil pump pickup going uncovered... yes bikes lean but the same forces keeping you in the seat are throwing oil at least in the general direction of the pickup. You can be flying straight but banked, pointing up, down.

Dry sump conversion would be possible, but I have a feeling that wasn't done there
Click to expand...
& CV carburetor with floats :LOL: ya I won't be trusting my life in that airplane any time soon.

Would have made a dandy saw mill engine.
 
Trials said:
& CV carburetor with floats :LOL: ya I won't be trusting my life in that airplane any time soon.

Would have made a dandy saw mill engine.
Click to expand...

Take a minute and reread - the CV carbs are gone, replaced by automotive style units.
 
TK4 said:
Take a minute and reread - the CV carbs are gone, replaced by automotive style units.
Click to expand...
They are in the photo :unsure:
have to admit if there is a photo I don't read the recipe, tldr too much of a hurry to go out and ride ;)
 
bitzz said:
"automotive style units" can be CV carbs.
Click to expand...
Like Solex carbs.

Airplane picture shows a CV carb with float bowls, does it not?
 
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