Dragbike Engine for Street Use?

I know some of you have big bore bikes and even drag race them... I have an opportunity to acquire a 1400+cc dragbike, but I don't care for to race it.

What are the chances that I could use this engine on the street? I know overheating will be the first issue, and possibly the need for race fuel, but should I even consider this??

I do have a 1200 bigblock and for the amount of riding I do, this does ok for the street.

Any input would be appreciated.

It's not the size that might be a problem, it will be the fact that it most likely has 12.5:1 or higher compression and the cams will be un-tamable. If you install a set of reasonable cams and run aviation gas you would be OK.

if your gonna run it from your house to the local hang out once a week...maybe
but if you plan to ride it....I would not do it.
You could de-tune it enough that it would live....but then what would be the point of having a 1400cc motor?
personally I think you would be further ahead with your 1200 motor with a ported head and cams....keep the compression reasonable and you'd still have a hotrod motor.

just my .02

What they said. You also have to remember that depending on which cams are in the motor, you can only go smaller in the cam department to a point and then you would have to change lots of things to run smaller "street" cams. Overall, I think the motor you have would be better for day to day use although that 1400 motor would make life interesting!

Thanks!

Didn't really think of the cams. That is why I like to share 'ideas.'

I will continue to use the 1200, but if the opportunity is real, I may pick up the 1400 and build a street"able" bike around it. It may be to wild for more than a show and short ride here and there, but I do like the interesting part.

Any ideas if the electric starter would turn an engine that size (compression)? I do OK with the 1200.

i used a honda starter on my 1327cc, no problems.
a smaller port head would be more fun on the street with the 1400 too.:woohoo:

Normally, that size of motor along with any compression would tax the stock starter quite a bit. I have heard of guys doing just what you are thinking without any problems though. Couple options are some guys wire in a second battery for just the starter but some say it shortens the life of the starter and some say it doesn't...? Another option is there is a guy down south somewhere...I think I have his address...that rebuilds stock starters to put out more power for just this type of situation. They aren't cheap but I hear they have no problem with motors like that one. Lots of guys are using it on self-start dragbikes with motors like the one you are thinking about. Option 3 is to exercise the hell out of your right leg and kick start that bad boy!

mark1122 wrote:

i used a honda starter on my 1327cc, no problems.
a smaller port head would be more fun on the street with the 1400 too.:woohoo:

Mark - Are you still running the big block, or did you revert back to a smaller engine? I know some time ago you were thinking of removing the big block. What was you biggest concern?

i bought the big block used. as it turned out , it was worn more than i had hoped and burned oil. so i rebuilt with a new mtc 1200cc. it ran hot. it hit 250* oil temp,in mid 70's weather.
i know a local guy who has run a 1428 10:1 on the street, for years.he kick starts, but i;m sure the honda starter would be fine with 10:1 pistons. my 1327 started right away every time, so does my 1200. i think u could run the 1400 as long as u stay out of the city traffic.
he runs something like a 33mm rs/tm gxr carb? not sure how big his ports and cams are? he hasnt run it for a few years.