MG Midget with a Kawasaki V-Twin

[rficalora]

Showed up on engine swap depot this morning.  I haven't had time to read the article but this from the teaser email caught my eye; will be interesting to see what it means...  Builder plans to "flip the rear end to compensate for the engine's counter-clockwise rotation."

https://engineswapdepot.com/?p=50554

[britcars]

Interesting swap.  I don't know what the torque numbers would be for the v-twin.  It was designed to haul around a much lighter package.  Looks like he's using the stock Kawasaki rad...........wonder if this will be enough since the engine was designed to be not be enclosed and dealing with engine compartment heat.

[rficalora]

Yeah, sounded interesting but @ 85hp; question about reverse & how "flipping the rear axle" addresses the backwards motor rotation, seems like a LOT of work for little, if any, gain.  And possibly, per your point about motorcycle engine torque, maybe going backwards.

[88v8]

Flip... turn the axle over right to left, then it will drive backwards.
Yes, it seems a bit daft. Unless he puts in a heavier flywheel, it will struggle off the line especially on hills.

And no reverse.
Although there is a solution - Wilmaaa !!!

Ivor

Edit; this Berkeley with Honda 4-pot has no reverse, but at 700lb, one could certainly push it. Perhaps even uphill.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1957-berkeley-twosome/?utm_source=dailymail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2020-01-18
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6EorQehjoY&feature=emb_logo

[BlownMGB-V8]

Midgets are pretty light. We saw one at Dayton, didn't seem to have much trouble getting going.

Jim

[rficalora]

Flip... turn the axle over right to left, then it will drive backwards.

OK, I see it now.    Had to draw a picture.  In my mind I was picturing pinion & ring gear rotations... wasn't till I drew a quick picture that the effect of the side/spider gears came clear!

[spridget]

Why?