Anyone look at converting gs into a car?

[anoopb]

Yes. I know it sounds dumb and it's dumber to even ask here but I thought I will anyway.

I haven't ridden in a while. Have a kid etc. I'm just not ready yet.

But I have really been thinking about turning my GS into a chain driven three wheel car.

Has anyone looked into this or thought about this?

I've no experience with it whatsoever which obviously increases the difficulty of such a task.

I've seen some car kits online where you supply the engine but none for a GS.

Thoughts?

[Kiwingenuity]

Well, it would certainly have more HP than other vehicles that have air cooled tiny motors...

From a powerplant and wiring perspective it should be relatively straightforward, would have enough power to scoot around.  I guess the cooling airflow would be the factor that a kit may not address.

[anoopb]

Haha. I love that car.

I was thinking something a bit more open air actually.

Something like the caterham with no windshield etc.

I think I'm going to start by designing a frame.

Of course all of this is time permitting but it's fun to think about and work on.

Thanks for your reply and not calling me a loon.

[Kiwingenuity]

You could always look at some of the early Japanese micro cars from the 50's - or perhaps something Fallout inspired..

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/0QzGK

Loon ideas are sometimes great ideas - look at ColinFurze and see what that turned into..

[mr72]

I would think a GS500 is a very poor donor for such a project. I have seen a go-kart built that uses an EX500 engine so it's doable for sure. The transmission is the weak link. Read up on the perils of 'bike-engine' cars, they are numerous.

Anyway for bike-power Hayabusa engines are the gold standard and should be considered as a first choice. But with enough time, money, and tolerance for catastrophic failure, anything's possible

[anoopb]

I would think a GS500 is a very poor donor for such a project. I have seen a go-kart built that uses an EX500 engine so it's doable for sure. The transmission is the weak link. Read up on the perils of 'bike-engine' cars, they are numerous.

Anyway for bike-power Hayabusa engines are the gold standard and should be considered as a first choice. But with enough time, money, and tolerance for catastrophic failure, anything's possible

I hadn't even thought about the transmission. I think i understand what you mean. With a heavier load, the engine RPM and the transmission may not line up right causing issues. Is that what you mean?

Also, if Hayabusa is the gold standard, what's the bronze standard?

[mr72]

no what I mean is there are things like the crankshaft, gears, shafts in the transmission, clutch, etc., which will potentially be at or above their working load limits when trying to move a 1K+ lb vehicle. It has almost nothing to do with rpm or power, it just has to do with the power applied across each component.

Imagine applying 100 ft-lb of force to a 50lb load using a chain that will hold 100 lb of weight. No problem right? the 100ft-lb will lift 50lb 2 ft and the chain is fine. Now apply that same force to a 200 lb load. Regardless of the fact that the force is enough to move the load, the chain won't hold it and it will break the chain. The chain in this case is every component between the top of the piston and the rear sprocket including all of the drive line. Suzuki designed all of this to handle reasonable loads on a 400 lb motorcycle with 300lb of passengers and cargo, but if now you use this on a 1000-lb or more vehicle with the same passenger/cargo load you nearly double the force applied to each of these components, potentially exceeding one of those component's limits.

One GS500 race bike builder reports on fitting an 8V head to a GS500 in order to make more power for a race bike, which worked just fine except he kept breaking crank bearings because they couldn't handle the additional force. Well the same problem would exist if increased the mass of the vehicle, you are essentially creating more bulk force on the components like the crank bearings and transmission. Jeep owners break differentials like this all the time, pulling trailers or adding weight. That's why you have to use a transmission cooler to tow a big load in a truck. You have to have a way to accommodate the additional driveline stress of a heavier load.

[anoopb]

you're a buzzkill you know that

thank you for the information. I really appreciate it and you've given me a lot to think about.

[Watcher]

Do one of these:

He even has some "how to" videos!