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Deciding on engine position
I had to design and manufacture the top and bottom engine frames for the Honda Blackbird engine as this chassis and mounts were for the Sierra engine. when choosing a position for the engine I knew I wanted the engine centreline to be parallel with the centreline of the chassis.
I wanted the engine to be back to the bulkhead as close as I could get it but with enough access to remove the starter gear cover with out removing the engine. also making sure that nothing would be in the way of the clutch housing for when the clutch needed replacing, I like to try to engineer things for ease of servicing and repair, as and where it is feasable.
Contrary to this Westfield and quite a few other kit manufacturers fit the bike engines parallel with the left top chassis rail, this can cause problems with propshaft phasing and u/j speed and life if the complicated equations are to be accurately worked out to counteract the u/j's speeding up and slowing down on rotation. this can cause excessive vibration and ultimately premature failure of the propshaft and associated parts. I had noticed quite a few people experience the propshafts coming loose on their cars at track days. Pictures of these are on the Propshaft & Rev box page.
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