Harley-Powered?

[SteinAir]

Originally Posted by xl1200r

Okay, so I got turned on by an idea i heard in another thread.

For those that don't know, there's a company called HogAir that modifies Harley-Davidson v-twins for small airplane service. The only problem is they the highest HP rating is 108hp with a 95CID engine.

Also, with weight savings around 100lbs versus a Lycoming, how much less horsepower would be acceptable to run (i.e., if one was planning on using a 180hp Lyc, would a 150hp engine that weighed 100lbs less be comprable?)

I'm a total newbie to anything about this, so if i'm being retarded just let me know. I'm not usually a fan of using non-aircraft engines in and airplane, but this just sounds like a readlly cool concept.

Ok...you asked so I'll just blurt it out.

You're being retarded There, can we stop this ridiculous thread about using a 2 cyl Hog engine in an place of a 180 lyc?!?!

Sorry for being blunt, but it's kind of a waste of time to even discuss it. Not wanting to burst your bubble, just trying to keep you from wasting much more time on it! Alterntives are fine....but this one....well, it's crazy for this application. I'm afraid even a hog with lipstick won't do!

Cheers,
Stein

[jonbakerok]

Originally Posted by RVbySDI

I do know that since the design is set up to specifically run inefficiently so that it can have that distinctive "Harley sound

Not really. The reason Harleys sound so good is that both pistons run on the same crank pin, causing them to fire 90 degrees apart instead of 180 degrees. The reason it was designed that way (about 90 years ago -- before anybody cared how they sounded), and the reason for the whole V-twin arrangement, was to create a narrow bike that's easy to straddle. The great sound was a side effect. And by the way, it's not inefficient if you're after low-end torque. But you're sorta right -- they couldn't change the design now if they wanted to. Nothing else would be a Harley. If I you want smooth, quiet, safe, and reliable -- buy a Miata.

All that said, I wouldn't fly behind a Harley engine on a bet. I owned one particular '76 Ironhead Sport for over 20 years and, although it only left me at the side of the road once (broken clutch cable), I probably spent about an hour working on it for every 5 I rode it. I loved every minute of it and I'm in the process of rebuilding a '74 now. But there's a big difference between the level of reliability I'll accept 22 inches off the ground vs. 2200 feet.

[xl1200r]

Originally Posted by SteinAir

Ok...you asked so I'll just blurt it out.

You're being retarded There, can we stop this ridiculous thread about using a 2 cyl Hog engine in an place of a 180 lyc?!?!

Sorry for being blunt, but it's kind of a waste of time to even discuss it. Not wanting to burst your bubble, just trying to keep you from wasting much more time on it! Alterntives are fine....but this one....well, it's crazy for this application. I'm afraid even a hog with lipstick won't do!

Cheers,
Stein

The bluntness is appreciated, but the logic in the beginning was looking to see if it was reasonable to deal with less hp if it meant losing a lot of weight with it.

BTW - I heard back from the build shop, and they told me that 124CID Twin Cam would be able to put out 160-200hp, but it would be a rather extreme engine and it would be at the top of the rev range. Anyways, the weight is just TOO light for it to matter anyways.

[Harvey]

Mike S - you are right. I knew it didn't sound right, and realise I substituted 160 hp for 320 cubes. Yes, the ol' O-320 puts out approx 40 hp for each of its 80 cubic inches, or about half of what a Harley cylinder produces.
My experience with big capacity Harleys ( 124 ci) is that they are great for posing, but are not long-lived, and certainly not for any serious aviation work.

Oh, and there is a few other bikes that had 6 cylinders : Factory Honda racer as ridden by Mike Hailwood and a Benelli roadbike to name two inline layouts, then there is the Laverda V6 and the Guzzi V8, as well as Glenn Curtis's V8 racer.

Forget the idea of using a Harley engine in anything more than an LSA, but has anyone considered the 9-cylinder Rotec radial with 150 hp in say - an RV4 ?

Cheers

Martin

[xl1200r]

Originally Posted by Harvey

Forget the idea of using a Harley engine in anything more than an LSA, but has anyone considered the 9-cylinder Rotec radial with 150 hp in say - an RV4 ?

Cheers

Martin

Umm...pleae post a link or a photo or something...sounds interesting.

Edit: I found it. Looks very cool. They're guessing 150+HP with that, but haven't tested it yet. Looks to use a reduction unit as well...i wonder where the revs are. 150hp and 270lbs...not to shabby. Big cool factor with that one!

[KTM520guy]

A radial would be extremely cool.

[RVbySDI]

Originally Posted by KTM520guy

A radial would be extremely cool.

Yes they are cool but I just have a hard time thinking about all of that oil oozing out of them onto the floor of my hangar. If they can just figure out how to keep the oil in the cylinders where it can do some good.

[RV_7A]

Back in my younger days I worked as a mechanic at a Honda dealer and had the oportunity to build a few of those from the crate and test ride before delivery. Talk about a smooth machine!

-Jeff

Originally Posted by xl1200r

I stand corrected:


Though I think we can all admit that was about as much overkill as trying to get a Chevy 725hp 572cid crate strapped to the front of a -3

[KTM520guy]

Originally Posted by RVbySDI

Yes they are cool but I just have a hard time thinking about all of that oil oozing out of them onto the floor of my hangar. If they can just figure out how to keep the oil in the cylinders where it can do some good.

Radials don't leak oil, they mark their territory.