Zundapp Bella (Bike Engine) now 500 Auto Conversion

[Bofs]

Picked this lovely beast up last year, 1958 Bella 150cc. It even has the now fancy Porcupine head in the 50s!!

I plan on sticking a bike engine in it. It`s chain drive and has 12" wheels and seems to have plenty of room for a transplant.

Not sure what engine yet so open to ideas??? Was thinking a 4 stroke single or a compact twin? Ideally want about 30-40 bhp and economy too 50-60mpg would be great. A mile munching tourer instead of a screamer.

Here`s it at the minute













Remember this from Scootering many years ago?? RD250 lump I seem to remember, front disc brake, love it  8)

[ArmandTanzarian]

If it fits, a cb250 or 500 engine would be cheap, reliable and not stupidly fast.

I thought about the same thing on a Heinkel but the chain is on the right hand side which is opposite to just about everything.

[holty]

great idea, i know someone whos building one at the moment, he is using an engine out of a big trials bike, cant quite remember which one at the moment, although i would recomend a twin if your bodywork is wide enough, ive got a tuned 350lc engine in my lambretta gp and its awsome to ride, very smooth and powerful as well, maybe more power than needed, but thats not a bad thing, i have a removeable kickstart, you might want electric start which may limit your choice, im sure others will have ideas as well, good luck with your build.
holty

[cgt75b]

I love the oddness of the Bella, not sure if that's a word "oddness" but anyway good luck with the build, cracking scoot btw.

[DigDug]

Nice looking bike...

[Bofs]

Cheers folks, open to all suggestions at the minute. Handy that the chain is on the right side too.

It`s in storage at the minute so have to clear a couple of club scoots out first before I get it back in the workshop, then the plan is to get the Bella engine running and sell it to fund the bike engine. I had a battery hooked up and the electric start works so should be handy enough sorted.

More updates when I get my hands on it again.

[warts]

Didn't a Bella Suzuki transplant feature in one of Stickies rides across Europe?
I sort of assumed it was the 400cc Brugman scooter engine, which would fit your spec pretty much. I have no idea if it would fit your chassis though.

Modern OHC engines seem pretty tall compared to an old school 2t.

The 470cc Honda CB X/F/R engine is a twin, 47bhp, fuel injected. Supposed to be very smooth, grunty and economical - 70+mpg without too much restraint.

Sounds like a project with excellent potential.

[Bofs]

Sticky`s had a DRZ400 Suzuki engine, plenty of grunt but expensive to get a donor. CB spec sounds good.

[gerryjunior]

i like the bella , a bike engine would be perfect, that back shock set up is a strange looking affair..

[Bofs]

It is!! Hopefully be able to update that too.