[Silverback]

I just ran across the diesel conversion for the royal Enfield.   interesting.  an input or information.

[axman88]

I just ran across the diesel conversion for the royal Enfield.   interesting.  an input or information.

The Taurus was purpose designed and built as a production machine, not a conversion.  https://www.rideapart.com/features/502321/royal-enfield-diesel-powered-bullet-taurus/
Is this what you are referring to?

I've also seen, (on the internet) a couple of actual conversions with Yanmar and Lombardini engines, like these:
https://www.royalenfields.com/2020/02/how-he-converted-royal-enfield-to.html
https://thekneeslider.com/royal-enfield-diesel-conversion/

[johno]

There was a couple of places in the UK that use to convert Iron Barrels to diesel not fast but very economical 120-150 mpg (uk)

[Silverback]

 investing in this version would be an interesting addition.   Just for cool factor , super low maintenance, gas mileage, fuel flexibility. 

[Adrian II]

My old Electra-X ended up as on of Henry Price's diesel conversions in the UK.

https://www.pricepartmotorcycles.co.uk/page_2219102.html

In Germany Jochen Sommer is also building RE based diesel motorcycles (with modified frames).

http://www.motorradmanufaktur.de/index.php?main=516

Open in Google Chrome or one of its off-shoots and you can get it translated into English.

I think you would really have to want one, the single-cylinder conversions ARE slow and rattly, the twin cylinder conversions aren't a lot quicker. Someone also managed to slot a Punsun 20HP V twin air cooled diesel into the Indian Bullet frame, though I gather the vibrations were a bit too much for it.

A.

[AzCal Retred]

Blend in some diesel at about 10:1 in your fuel tank; get the smell but not the hassel!     Leave your valves a bit loose and nobody's the wiser.

[axman88]

I remember seeing this conversion up for sale a few years back, or maybe it was the Bullet engine that came out of this bike that was for sale.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQe5y9TxmUo

I like the idea conceptually better than practically.  Ordinarily, if my engine starts sounding like this, I go into a panic.

This Lister powered bike sounds quite a bit nicer.  I think most people would take away macho points for the crank start, but he'd get them right back with the "deathspike" storage location:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMkNNwfa0O0

I would like to own a diesel at some point, just for the experience.  I wish I had bought one of the Lombardini singles, when they were being sold off cheap after being retired from highway sign trailers where they drove a generator.  Now that same job is done with LEDs, batteries and solar panels.

I'll drift the thread a bit.  Folks who are interested in small diesel engines might want to take a look at the Changfa line of engines, which I think currently represent the best value in small diesel power plants.  https://en.changfanz.com/product_category/Under-20-horsepower.html
Relatively small, inexpensive, hopper cooled, these are the sort of engine that can be kept running with a few simple tools.  The EPA doesn't want us to have them here in the US, but they are quite common in the part of the world where they originate.  In particular, I think the two wheeled, walk behind tractors, look like a lot of fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5dHZSDl8dM&list=PL_6tAdq9_KmocbtI5-AUgNBj7WwFPDOVQ

[Adrian II]

I used to own a couple of those Lister D Types!

A.

[Bullet Whisperer]

I have worked on one or two, here are a couple of videos ...

https://youtu.be/kpTIqbr3C5c

and ...

https://youtu.be/LX8vSLA4Wpc

 B.W.

[Silverback]

Those are your videos?
Looks like fun.
I would like to find one just for cool factor.   1st world problems.   Lol...

[Bullet Whisperer]

Those are your videos?
Looks like fun.
I would like to find one just for cool factor.   1st world problems.   Lol...

Yes, that's me. I think they could provide some local amusement until the novelty wears off, performance is similar to a very tired 350 Indian Bullet and there's no shortage of noise and vibes to confirm when the engine is running!
 B.W.

[Silverback]

On if these days I am going to have one.  Just too cool!

[Ove]

All power to the eccentrics of this world. But, this one I really scratch my head at.

Strengths of a stock bullet include miserly fuel consumption and evocative engine note. Weaknesses, performance is adequate, but othing to write home about. Instead of improving the weakness, let's make that even worse...

[axman88]

All power to the eccentrics of this world. But, this one I really scratch my head at.

Strengths of a stock bullet include miserly fuel consumption and evocative engine note. Weaknesses, performance is adequate, but othing to write home about. Instead of improving the weakness, let's make that even worse...

My opinion is that it's not very productive to judge products developed for radically different markets, in terms of what we want for our own use.
   
I don't know where you live, but consider that:
      -  India has national and local speed limits that restrict motorcycles to less than 50 kph on most roads.  That's 31 mph.
                                                                  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_India
      -  The Royal Enfield 350 is considered to be a large, high powered motorcycle in India, where the average bike is closer to 150cc.
      -  The average gasoline price in the USA is currently around $3.20.  In India it's around $5.50.  Diesel is about 10% cheaper.   
      -  The average income in the USA is currently around $51,000 yearly.  In India, it's equivalent to around $1,600.  That's less than 1/30th as much.  Twenty years ago, when the Taurus was being made, the income contrast was even greater.

It's not hard to see why economy of operation is now and was then important in a market that considers motorcycles to be transportation, and not just recreation.  The Taurus was reported to have a top speed around 65 kph, and could get 90 km/liter.  That's better than twice the fuel economy of a Bullet 350 UCE.

In my opinion, it wasn't a lack of buyers that killed the Taurus.  It was India's increasingly stringent emissions requirements. 

[axman88]

Folks interested in diesel motorcycles, might be interested in this internet site that I came across while looking for something else.  It lists various production and conversion, diesel powered two wheelers, from the perspective of an interest in biodiesel.

http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_bikes.html