my kawasaki beetle project - Cut-Weld-Drive Forums

freetroy · December 25th, 2007, 06:13 PM

hi guys its been a while since i last posted a thread well my project is on hold for a while but hopeing to get some work done spring well here is an idea of what it will look like

squareback_fiend · December 25th, 2007, 09:01 PM

mini rail with bug body why not use a arms instead of a swing arm

mkparker · December 26th, 2007, 06:33 AM

Looks like a cool project. Be sure and do everything you can to lighten it up! Bike motors don't like pushing around a lot of weight.
Check out Graham1728's thread if ya haven't yet.

RTVW

freetroy · December 26th, 2007, 08:03 PM

i know i have to lose a lot of weight my goal is around 800 lbs it will have a custom made frame

bswilly · December 26th, 2007, 09:01 PM

Should be a cool project.You could use a hole saw and drill anything un nessecary out on the inside to lose weight.A drag racer in my club took about 50 pounds out of his this way.

freetroy · December 27th, 2007, 12:22 AM

well this is the idea i had may i mind you this picture is from a web site i found called http://www.rorty-design.com/content/beetle.htm

it kind of same kind of frame i want to build with my own toutch

bigguy · December 27th, 2007, 03:25 AM

let me know if you need those plans for that frame. i may know someone that has them.

Steve White · December 27th, 2007, 04:09 AM

IMO going to even get anywhere around 800lbs using a actual vw body. I was on a late model race team for several years and our car which had an aluminum skin, floor and seat weighed approx 2000 lbs. A 2007 Ninja zx-14 wieghs over 400 lbs. Surprisenly a 1967 beetle weighed +/- 1800 lbs which is less then I would have guessed but still.

A t-Rex weighs 0ver 900lbs

freetroy · December 27th, 2007, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigguy

let me know if you need those plans for that frame. i may know someone that has them.

if you could i would be more then greatfull for thouse plans they will come in handy thanks

mkparker · December 27th, 2007, 05:14 AM

I also think 800 pounds is "very" optimistic. But, it'll still be a fun building/learning experience. I think a Beetle pan would weigh less than the Rorty design. I like the Rorty design really well, it just doesn't seem to be a weight saving plan.

freetroy · December 27th, 2007, 05:40 AM

im going to gut the body like all four wheel wells will be gone the front and rear fire wall will be gone i think that a tube frame would be lite weight

38Chevy454 · December 27th, 2007, 08:39 AM

I have a more basic question: why?

What is the point to use a motorcycle engine? If you want a real lightweight performance car, there is still no reason to use such a small engine, relative to the weight. Use a VW engine that is built up and combine with serious weight reduction.

Maybe I am missing something here

mkparker · December 27th, 2007, 10:58 AM

There are a lot of BECs (Bike engine cars) these days. A stock bike engine puts out lots of HP, granted not much torque, and they come with cool sequential shift tranny. I don't think one in a full size VW is a great idea, but who am I to say. At least he has a vision and is goin' for it. I'll post my favorite BEC pic now...two yammy R1s in a Mini. Zoom Zoom!

Steve White · December 27th, 2007, 01:34 PM

i agree there are some pretty cool bike powered cars and some bike motors will make in the 200 hp range farily dependably. Squat for torque though so weight is a huge issue.

here is a smart car with a Hayabusa engine. It does 13.5 in the 1/4 but a Hayabusa puts out 175hp stock and that Smart car was stripped down hardcore to save weight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPQIi...eature=related

gravguy · December 27th, 2007, 02:53 PM

well while watching that vid i noticed this. much heavier and still goes like >>>...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMqnG...eature=related

trikertroy · December 27th, 2007, 06:37 PM

812lbs..........

vintage-raze · December 27th, 2007, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gravguy

well while watching that vid i noticed this. much heavier and still goes like >>>...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMqnG...eature=related

I may be wrong, but I think you were wanting to post this one??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xdks...eature=related

But I've been wrong once before

Kick ass by the way

Steve White · December 27th, 2007, 07:14 PM

thats a cool video but don't expect to see a vw trike do that :)

Thats a hayabusa turbo. It put out 175HP stock and some guys have gotten 500HP+ out of those motors. A built Hayabusa engine costs a small fortune. If you can afford a Hayabusa turbo forget the vw rod and start looking for a T-Rex with a toasted engine. A stock T-rex can already do what no production vehicle under a 1/4 mil can do which is pull well over a G in the corners and do mid 13's in the 1/4. Stuff a Hayabusa turbo in it and it would be untouchable on the street.

it might not be a rod but it would give you wood every time!

freetroy · December 27th, 2007, 08:15 PM

here are some pics of what i have so far

72beetle · December 27th, 2007, 08:38 PM

You might not agree but, I think it would be cool if you made a shortie Bug, and gutted it out with a roll cage and 1 driver seat, an put your motorcycle motor in.Im guessing youll lighten it up alot then, an be neat.

or...go a little bit bigger than the kid vrod and put a hyabusa motor in

that would be crazy though.

freetroy · December 27th, 2007, 11:08 PM

my goal is to have hayabusa motor but i think once i get it all done

freetroy · December 28th, 2007, 09:05 PM

this is what i want for my beetle frame

squareback_fiend · December 29th, 2007, 12:43 AM

it would be kooler if it had a vincent motor

mkparker · December 29th, 2007, 05:17 AM

That would be an incredible waste of a Vincent motor!!

Ray-Dean · December 29th, 2007, 05:20 AM

Not meening to hijack, but while watching the clips above, I noticed this.....

Hayabusa kart

Some people got more balls than brains.