Then and Now: KZ400 Diesel

Digging through my pictures, I found this one taken 4 years ago of my vegetable oil racer. It was just a rolling frame, and only had the forks, wheels, fenders, and lights.

On arrival

I got it from a friend who bought the motor for parts, and gave me the rest of the hulk. Now, taken yesterday in the exact same spot:

Current setup

Now (un)officially retired from racing, it holds 6 land speed records for alternate fuel (vegetable oil). The best it ever managed was 60.2mph with a supercharger making 5 pounds of boost and a disabled rev limiter. The engine was originally rated at 6.5hp at the crank. With all the modifications and the blower, it was tested to 6.5hp at the tire

The specs are:

Chassis - 1977 Kawasaki KZ400 (mostly stock)

Suspension - H-D Sportster shocks at rear, stock forks

Wheels - Honda CB360 front, stock rear

Engine - Yanmar (clone) L70, 300cc diesel. 6.5hp@3500rpm (stock) / 8.0hp@4200rpm (blown) 

Supercharger - Whispair 1701 Industrial Roots Blower, 5psi rated boost

Intercooler - Custom unit from Bell Intercoolers

Transmission - Homemade 2-speed automatic 

Dyno comparison with and without the blower