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The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Honda XR600 9 Cylinder Radial Engine

By Paul Crowe

Honda XR600 based radial engine

There’s a certain mystique associated with radial engines which may be why several builders have recently built motorcycles wrapped around the circular powerplants. Of course, they look pretty cool, too. As we’ve also pointed out here before, several motorcycle engines have been adapted for use in airplanes, usually in their standard configuration but using an adapter of some sort for the prop. This XR600 radial engine project blurs the line by building a 9 cylinder aircraft radial engine out of the cylinders from a Honda XR600 single.

Details of this project are limited but it seems Russell Sutton, a New Zealander living in Australia, is building this 8 liter engine which will have a redline around 4000 rpm and a planetary gearbox, made from gears out of a Caterpillar transmission, which will reduce the prop speed to 2500 rpm. The engine will eventually find its way into an airboat.

These photos originate from Ian Drysdale, who’s been known to mix engine parts in some interesting combinations of his own.

Some of you Aussies and Kiwis build the coolest stuff!

More photos below:

Honda XR600 based radial engine

Honda XR600 based radial engine

Honda XR600 based radial engine

Links: Eurospares (bottom of the page) via Honda Trail Bike Forum
Related: Jesse James   JRL Cycles   Gatsby

Posted on May 23, 2008 Filed Under: Motorcycle Power Flight


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Comments

  1. Gladys says

    May 23, 2008 at 2:24 pm

    Being on the other, flip-side of the world, all the blood goes to their brain…better for creativity and engineering.

  2. aaron says

    May 23, 2008 at 7:46 pm

    that’ll be one very expensive crankcase…

  3. Murph says

    May 23, 2008 at 10:13 pm

    8 litre engine..Where does the extra 2.6 litres come from if it has 9 x 600cc cylinders?

  4. kneeslider says

    May 23, 2008 at 10:19 pm

    “Where does the extra 2.6 litres come from”

    Longer stroke

  5. willie schmitz says

    May 24, 2008 at 11:53 am

    Kudos to Mr. Sutton! Hopefully we’ll see a follow up on the finished product.

  6. Paul Slevinsky says

    May 27, 2008 at 9:53 pm

    That’s cool. What about using Harley jugs with push-rod valve train for simplicity? Ya, I know…armchair quarterback!

    p.s. Check out Verner, HCI or Rotec if u like the round sound.

    Paulinator

  7. russell sutton says

    February 23, 2009 at 12:59 am

    Not too computer literate, but here goes. Did you notice the new sleeves protrude into the case? Stroked to 120mm (original 80), to achieve 2:1 rod – stroke ratio, torque oriented. Pistons ex GM comodore V6, 9:1 compression ratio!!
    Yeah the Yamaha pots on 1950cc V twin with rods would be sweet as!

  8. Spencer Miles says

    February 5, 2010 at 8:02 pm

    VEERRRY Nice! For the valves PLEASE PLEASE use a Bevel!!! A rotary, bevel, desmodromic system would make me shiver!!!

    Please, somebody make the Roto-Bev-Desmo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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