How I motorcycle swapped my Miata

[@ajs7333]

Everything about this is just incredible. From the channel name "Reed make car" (he does, in fact, make car) to the sheer inventiveness and insanity of the 'Miatacycle', this is probably one of the coolest builds of all time.

[@ReedMakeCar]

Thank you for watching and for that awesome compliment!!

[@grembal.]

he do be making a heck of a lot of car

[@joesphanlu3369]

cool build. oiling is an issue during large sideways G forces on swapped cars, that's what made matt's blow up on track.

[@mikem5475]

I guessed this and never built a car

[@wingdingdmetrius8025]

@@mikem5475 wise man

[@infidel900rr]

They oil pick up should work fine front to back (which on his case is lateral forces). Extremely hard braking might be a concern. Keep it filled just over the line. 👍

[@NateAnde]

Something you may want to look into is the oiling system. Motorcycle engines aren't designed for lateral G's, since they lean when they turn. You have an advantage with it mounted inline however. (story time) I had the opportunity to check out Jay Leno's Big Dog Garage F1 side car, designed by Bernard Juchli. His sidecar utilizes a yamaha R1 engine mounted traverse behind the pilot. I noticed he had a dry sump system and asked Bernard about it, he said they ran into problems with the oil climbing up the engine on either side of the crank while turning, and losing oil pressure. So they added baffles to the oil pan, and a special type of dry sump that was adapted to work with the stock oil pan on the R1. If you haven't already, maybe add an oil pressure gauge. (other than the stock dummy switch light) Inline mounted as you have it, I wonder if these issues could arise under acceleration or heavy braking. Anyways, just a thought. Awesome build man!

[@colinbowman8816]

I've seen a few bike engine cars. Everyone tried wet sump until a couple motors went. It's not exactly easy, but dry sump appears to be necessary

[@ChanceSummer]

Love it! I’m still confused as to how the bike motor doesn’t bog down and stall when taking off from a standstill. Did you put thinner than stock rear tires on and rev the crap out of it? Crotch Rockets at the best of times are stall or burnout on launch.

[@ghost.of.aleksz.salad.]

@@ChanceSummer a little skill is all

[@ChanceSummer]

@@ghost.of.aleksz.salad. awesome build!

[@rightwingsafetysquad9872]

​@@ChanceSummer Liter bike engines produce almost as much torque as the stock 1.6L Miata engine. And the bike transmission is going to have shorter gearing, so wheel torque might even be higher on the bike engine. The massive reduction of enfine inertia probably makes it difficult to start, but not terrible.

[@rob.fisher]

The KZbin algorithm has finally delivered me the video I wanted!!! Awesome car, I really enjoyed the way you detailed the build, thanks and nice job 👍

[@VS666]

Hell yes dude I wanted this video so bad since I stumbled upon your video the other day. Saving this for when I get home ❤

[@ReedMakeCar]

Hope you enjoy it. I’m looking forward to getting more driving footage of it soon that I’m sure you’ll enjoy as well

[@MB7_7]

This is so cool, I bet it's an absolute blast to drive! It sounds amazing too you've really built something nice here

[@ReedMakeCar]

Thank you! It’s definitely an experience driving it. VERY loud with the exhaust exiting in front

[@SuperMatiz]

2:20 funny fact- I did same thing but... Opposite 😁 sourced miata drivetrain for old polish, post comunist car. Having a whole car is great thing, just imagine joining these two harneses... Just discovered this channel and you earned an instant sub. Cheers!

[@AFTER_MIDNITE]

What make/model car did you install it in?

[@stratobungle]

@@AFTER_MIDNITE I went over to his channel - looks like it's in a FSO Polonez, which is based on a Polski Fiat 125p

[@AFTER_MIDNITE]

@@stratobungle Thank you. I tried clicking his channel name, but it wouldn’t pull up his channel.

[@Simoran]

This is the definition of a unique build. It's not built for power, it's just built for being interesting. I feel like people go crazy with horsepower figures and forget what they started with.

[@rightwingsafetysquad9872]

If this came with the 1.6L engine, he doubled the power. That might not be why he did it, but he did.

[@terraplane7655]

Awesome, subscribed! I grew up in the bike biz and have been scheming a bike powered car for years. Popcorn 🍿 in hand, keep the inspiration coming. Nice work, welds, creative solutions etc. 👍

[@Cobra_427]

This is one of those builds you'd see on ThatDudeInBlue's channel, and I really hope he gets to review this thing because it's mental

[@lukewest708]

Reminds me of the turbo'd Hayabusa swapped smart car he had on a couple years ago

[@ErikCordova-t9r]

That dude in blue is lame as hell But this build ain’t

[@wiscopyro]

​@user-ll1jy1vq1v Pff, whatever you say pal, that's why he has 1 million subscribers.

[@billylongdick3192]

​@user-ll1jy1vq1v youre lame as hell

[@naoltitude9516]

lol predicted it

[@sarahdell4042]

Incredible. If you’re able to do all of the labor. This is a cheap build for something very unique. Love it.

[@beerleagueeverything8030]

No glass or top, but totally keeping the air fresheners on the mirror! Excellent build. I always wanted to pop a liter bike drivetrain in an AW11 MR2 chassis. Please build it and live my dream, haha.

[@FridaysTheBomb]

I absolutely love it. I've wanted to do a similiar project for years. It's nice to see such a succesful outcome on a Miata platform.

[@KARR]

I would pump out some more videos if I were you dude. Its a cool build I assure you me and other people would like to see some more videos of the car doing whatever. Longer videos as well.

[@commanderkeeno5552]

I’m really digging this car. I’m impressed with the detail and care you took to build it. I’m also enjoying the way you get straight to the point with your presentation. So many youtubers spend way too much time not saying anything meaningful!

[@mrshakey2533]

Very impressive man!! I come from a sport bike background years ago, and now you have me thinking that having that sport bike sound and performance in a 1500 pound car is very do-able. Ive been doing track days for quite a few years now, I think having a 1000cc sport bike motor powered Miata would def turn some heads. Thanks for getting my ‘gears’ turning in my head to looking into a project like this.

[@throwback19841]

buying a complete working bike is absolutely the right way to go. Engine swaps are no joke especially when you dont know the donor like the back of your hand, so buying something that is 100% working when it rolls into the shop is the smart way to do it.

[@chE3z1]

Awesome build!! Have you considered adding a quickshifter? If it's a fly-by-wire throttle, it will let you shift up and down without using the clutch. If its a cable throttle I think you can only get up-only quickshifters. It senses when you put pressure on the shifter and automatically cuts throttle to let the dogs slip into the next gear.

[@superbarnie]

He can just do clutchless upshifts by lifting the throttle while loading the gear shifter. Same way as you can do on a motorcycle.

[@Rollerbalder]

One of the coolest Miata builds I've seen.

[@fastforward4466]

You're an inspiration bro, fantastic work. 💯

[@gbass7328]

Really, really awesome and ambitious build! You could get a custom gear set and rear end ratios built for it. It sounds like a blast to drive!! Keep it up....

[@chriscouncilplays6885]

Just wanted to say I love you bro. Bc I've been having a bike swap brakedown on my side forever but didn't know where to start for this platform

[@chriscouncilplays6885]

And I did see mats video but it wasn't miata

[@devenbenavides1063]

Super, super sick build. Love how every part of the bike that could have been used was involved, def the coolest part

[@albertohart5334]

Good job on wiring the lights and ignition, sounds sick

[@NotMyName-q2v]

I hope you get the fifty billion or so views your channel deserves, incredible work here,,,, wow

[@KrafieCool]

this is amazing. literally am amazed at your videos. you, sir, have some skill. and a GREAT application of creativity to compliment those mechanical skills of yours

[@ReedMakeCar]

@@KrafieCool thank you!!

[@stefanemanuelsson2201]

I'm looking at a miata (2002) + CBR929RR (2000) combo with a very compelling total price, googled and found this. Very nice build! Inspiring indeed.

[@xrotor7813]

That was one of the coolest home made headers I have seen!... Pob harder to find but a transmission out of a street fighter version of the CBR1000rr would have a wider ratio transmission gear set and perhaps tuned for more low end work.

[@JamesDavis-mm9yh]

Hey brother. This is awsome. I have an off road buggy with gsxr engine and 4wd. I’m using boat transmission for toward neutral and reverse with bike clutch and 6 gears in forward and reverse. Cheap reliable setup

[@that_jamesguy]

Great build! Do you feel that’s it’s more fun than the previous turbo setup? Reverse solution - install a ring gear on the driveshaft and a small starter motor with push button (behind a red missile launch safety cover, of course). Thanks for the inspiration!

[@ReedMakeCar]

More fun idk it’s hard to say. I don’t enjoy driving that much I just like to build stuff and problem solve

[@leon.690sm9]

Extremely well done build, mad respect.

[@pututski6968]

Insane build, love seeing cool projects such as this

[@xuv5607]

Currently building a Porsche 356A coupe replica tube chassis, Hayabusa build, lots of work. If it weren't for buddies who work with SolidWorks CAD and having a 3D scan of the body and drive train it would be much harder. I am using Miata NC front and rear suspension with a Ford 8.8 IRS rear diff out of a 2008 Ford explorer. My car is a mid-engine set up with a Elite Transmission reverse box. I am also using a JIST alternator pulley set up that allows me to use an alternator for extra 12v stuff (12v Air conditioning, stereo, and ECU). Would love to pick your brain about your build in detail.

[@manlau999]

Awesome build! Just wondering does it have reverse gear?

[@nahuelise4055]

Amazing build reed,for the reverse gear i heard some use an starter motor coupled to the driveshaft that you can use to move the car

[@euangreenlees4294]

unreal build and unreal welds thanks for showing us how u did it, getting BOM vibes

[@hirundeshitha3622]

This kind of a project was in my mind since I was a kid...I was so happy to see that it's possible :) Thanks for the upload man keep it up (P.S Your skills are amazing)

[@crtko40]

awesome build man well done! why didnt you try to put the engine in the back and attach it with a chain to the back axel maybe could save some weight that way?

[@ReedMakeCar]

Thought about it. Just more room for activities up front lol

[@gametime2473]

It will be interesting to see if the transmission holds up over time with that much weight to deal with. Cool concept!

[@djtjpain]

Sick build man! Nice editing on the video too.

[@nucleart0aster]

You can cut out the door bars there’s 2 bars on each door. I shaved about 16kg by removing those. Every little helps. Awesome build🔥

[@adriannp.]

This build blows my mind. How clean and powerful and well balanced... Man, absolutly 10/10

[@shuper_j5819]

Amazing job! You're clearly an awesome fabricator, and an even better engineer.

[@Superb_Owl80]

MAAAN I really wanted to do this when I owned miata's in the past! Awesome stuff! Also, you don't need to use the clutch when upshifting, just lift off the throttle for a split second and pull on the shifter, easy peasy.

[@usernameisrequired]

Super unique and interesting you should invest in cams for mabye more tourque and a little less horse power but this is amazing

[@chesterfield5704]

My name is Reed. Used to own a MX5 as well! Subbed!

[@robertrishel3685]

Absolute GENIUS! This is the drivers car for true drivers. Brilliant!

[@ArbysNight]

Takes me back to Formula SAE. Good times! And nicely done!

[@VS666]

Just finished watching this, holy moly what a project I'm so jealous! Do you fabricate professionally or just for hobby? Either way, props! Couldn't have done this without the proper welding

[@ReedMakeCar]

I’m a fabricator at ZZPerformance 🤘 thanks!

[@JamesDavis-mm9yh]

I have a cheap solution for this

[@Rockt-p6m]

This is fantastic. I've always thought the Miata would be really fun with a high revving motorcycle engine. My only concern is that with all the weight reduction measures, it's going to be LOUD. Cool at first but I think it might get old after awhile. Please let us know how it works out for driving.

[@Goose-ib2ti]

Cool, Any plans to add a custom oil sump? When you swap in a motorcycle engine there can be problems with oil pressure when cornering because of the added side to side force (no lean to counteract it like in a motorcycle). An oil pressure gauge to keep an eye on it is a must, superfastmat has a vid of his engine grenading on the track in a similar build. Also you should consider adding an oil cooler. Super cool build

[@ReedMakeCar]

I’m aware of this argument and have thought about it a lot. I think it has merit but in my opinion, matt removed too much of his sump which caused the pickup to run dry under certain circumstances. My sump is not modified and I will not be tracking the car so it’s a risk I’m willing to take 🤘

[@noname-gp6hk]

Probably wise to add an oil pressure gauge to the dash to keep your eye on it

[@xuv5607]

where did you source the sprocket to driveshaft coupler? What did you have to do to make it fit on the bike as not to hit the water pump and shifter? Thanks great build dude!!

[@302hobronco]

Awesome awesome build. Are you using the stock clutch?

[@jonnylyds233]

What are the solutions for reverse gear open to you?

[@mlivshiz]

Awesome build. Super unique.

[@CorinLettuce]

would be cool to see this done with the engine in the trunk, almost a mini 911, if you wanted to go the extra mile u could use the honda valkyrie flat 6 engine combined with a rear engine layout and be even more 911like

[@snipesy]

Absolutely YES! I've always wanted to do this with a VMAX engine good to know its do-able

[@rickrobinson8417]

This is the coolest thing I've ever seen!

[@carsonfiero4209]

The bikes are actually factory tuned with the airbox intake runners and ram-air. In such a small engine it actually makes a power difference. Could you incorporate the factory airbox runners somehow.

[@ReedMakeCar]

I have a billet aluminum intake plenum now anyway. For my turbo build. See latest videos if you’re interested. Thanks for watching

[@WoahGeeWow]

Absolute madman. Well done.

[@kingnull2697]

This is an awesome build, I wish we'd see more cyclecar-size options for commuters & enthusiasts. Just hope the bike goes back together eventually.

[@Shane4457]

Nice bud. Im in a similar boat, inspired by matt . I have a 1974 mg midget. im putting a honda vfr 800 into. just been working on fixing all the rust first.

[@BushidoDriver]

This build is crazy 🤯 in the best way possible!

[@observingrogue7652]

You did great job. Inspirational.

[@Tactical_Pterodactyl_Knives]

This is absolutely incredible!

[@findingmywingsjesse]

Truly fantastic! Hoping for more videos of the car driving!

[@frostygonz]

This is so sick and amazing dude!! Great job on the build and thank you for sharing a clsoer look into your hard work! Be sick if you made a kit for the swap one day lol. Got a new sub from me and I look forward to more vids as you continue to work on this awesome machine!

[@yatajoris]

Man I love this thing. I was heavily contemplating motorcycle swapping my (currently turbo) miata for the same sound and gearbox feel reasons. I ended choosing a different unique engine to swap into mine. I'm currently swapping a volvo turbo inline 5. I've got some shorts on my channel. This thing is absolutely rad and I'll definitely end up swapping a light car with a motorcycle engine at some point. Cheers man

[@janoskovacs11]

Wow! Man, you are a genius and I am so jealous!

[@maximborodyuk3773]

Such a cool build. Just wandering if some big V-twin like from super duke 1390r EVO would fit car better. Or V4 maddness from Ducati Inline4's have very little torque

[@tituskoreman1565]

looks clean! Any future plans on the miata or is it just right the way it is now? We did a build with a suzuki gsxr1000 engine in a small suzuki sc100 years and years ago, it was so much work.. but in the end it was well worth it! (if you look for scx1000r on yt you will find it i think) Thumbs up!

[@ReedMakeCar]

Thanks! Future plans are to just drive and and get some more footage so I can enjoy the sounds of it when I’m not driving it lol. I looked up that sc100 and man that car is tiny! Very cool

[@tituskoreman1565]

@@ReedMakeCar 😀 great idea! its a shame this concept of a car is not something you can buy off the shelf.. at least not road legal. took us a lot of efford to get the scx road legal..

[@therealgaragegirls]

4:55 and 4:58 Gorgeous welds!

[@nehok]

Absolutely awesome build! Well done! I imagine you’ve seen that video Superfast Matt did in the Nissan leaf with a motor cycle engine and electric motor as well for torque fill, I think that used the electric motor for reverse too. Is that something you would consider doing? It’s seems an ideal solution to me, though of course would need some custom electronics.

[@armcchargues8623]

How does the clutch handle the extra weight? I expect you would need a stout unit and it would need the be freshened up pretty regularly.

[@Ammotive28]

Outstanding work mate. Clean, simple thought out engineering is trumps everything. Are you going to do a starter motor reverses? We have a lot of bike engined mini’s & hi jets here in the UK. There is a few specialists that could help with parts & ideas over here.

[@ReedMakeCar]

Thank you! I’m going to try to put a gear on the diff flange that a starter motor will turn

[@KitamiK11]

Are you putting a new oil pan on it? might help with peace of mind for ground clearance. This thing is bloody lovely, and I love the spirit of the build being increase lightness. Carbon/frp body next?

[@JesusServant-Z]

Is the initial movement a strain for the bike? Its a lot of weight for the bike to get rolling I would think?

[@henrycarroll2079]

This is the video I needed. Great work dude

[@grandtheftauto1233]

I was thinking if you can change the rear differential gearing so you can better utilize the long gears. Awesome build

[@bucketofsaws]

Question: About the Hardtop wouldnt the amount of drag for the added weight be worth it? I understand shedding pounds but general usability would go up. All in all awesome stuff though! Can't wait to see how this turns out?

[@chrisjosekuehl]

Does the car handle offset since the engine and driver look to to be on the same side of the car? Maybe it’s the angel but the engine looks like it’s set off to the driver side in the bay. Have you considered spinning the engine in the bay to centralize the weight and make it fit under the hood?

[@ReedMakeCar]

Did u see the weight balance on the scales at the end?

[@hunntaaa]

Awesome build and breakdown. Have you had any oil pressure issues? Any thoughts on adding a dry sump oiling system?

[@ReedMakeCar]

Can’t tell if trolling or fr 🧐

[@mexicossie1592]

My 1st car was a mini & i wanted to fit a bike engine but that was early 90s & i knew fuckall about fabrication but to find a decent mini @ a sensible price is not easy these days. Did you make the gearstick?

[@naquaveious]

Maybe for reverse you could put a 2 speed gearbox in between the output shaft and driveshaft adapter, or somewhere down the driveshaft? I’ve seen someone keep the original trans in so it’s a 30 speed. This is a super cool build, I’ve been planning to swap a bike engine into a Spitfire this summer.

[@NeeoDroid]

Wow so much talent well done man

[@citrusjuicebox]

Sorry, please my question if it's stupid. Did you consider canting the engine slightly to make everything fit under the hood?

[@huzayfasyed5488]

I think the fluids would not be happy

[@citrusjuicebox]

@@huzayfasyed5488 ah I see, must be why so many comments mention dry sump oiling

[@gilbert6578]

Hell yeah, what a sick build

[@noxious89123]

This might sound stupid but could you rotate the air box 180° and still mount it to the throttle bodies? Looks like you'd probably need to make some sort of adapter plate. Infact, could you not just ditch the airbox entirely and go for a custom one, or something aftermarket designed for ITBs? For the secondary fuel injectors you could just switch the wiring around to ensure that the correct wiring was still firing the injector for the correct cylinder. I'm unsure if the velocity stacks on the CBR1000RR are the same for all 4 cylinders, but at the very least the outer pair should be the same, and the inner pair will be the same. Sometimes bikes will run the middle 2 cylinders slightly differently than the outer 2 cylinders, due to cooling needs.

[@Spaceballerr]

No

[@finlay230]

love it, very interesting build !!!

[@stansmith9639]

This build is sick, when I saw Matt's s600 I also instantly thought of a miata. My dream would be a supercharged H2R engine in an NA

[@user-jt6nw6wm5q]

Super cool man! Very inspiring

[@KindredAutomotive]

Excellent build, especially from a quality perspective! Does anyone make oil pan kits for that bike? A company makes low profile drag pans for the ZX14r with remote mount oil filters so drag racers don’t crack the pans when coming down from a wheelie but it was $2000 so I purchased the oil filter block off plate from them and had my pan and oil pickup shortened by 2” at a local welder. I have no idea what that pan looks like but there might be ways to get it lower without tons of money.

[@ReedMakeCar]

Thanks for the comments! There are some aftermarket pans available but I wanted to keep the stock one because it’s super deep and I figured that would keep the oil at the pickup when I’m in a corner or accelerating/braking. My new turbo intake will solve my hood clearance issues anyway ;)

[@KindredAutomotive]

@@ReedMakeCar Awesome! If you haven’t already you should look into an Accu-sump. Technically bike oil pans are designed to pickup oil from the middle as the bike leaning minimizes oil sloshing to the sides. In a car, the oil moves in the pan differently than Honda engineered to occur and the Accusump will keep oil pressure if the pickup is ever uncovered. Not sure how likely that is but it would be easy to install with the remote filter setup and cheap insurance. Plus you can pre-lube the motor before cranking which is a nice feature.

[@rileyneewton3806]

great video thanks for being open with the build, the US needs more Z-cars/superbike cars

[@nobackbrakes9011]

I'm curently putting plans together for something similar but with a beetle as a bass. The only thing that worries me is the longevity of the motercycles transmition pulling the mutch heavier weight. Have you had this thing long enough to comment on that?

[@n0pseudonym]

awesome build. really. but what about transmission? will it withstand such a load, cause your car weight is 4 times heavier than cbr1000? how big is your mileage on this setup rn?

[@1859ddd]

you ever plan on boosting the CBR1000? I feel like 13k rpm with at least 200whp would feel really good.

[@ReedMakeCar]

Lol 🤘🤘

[@1859ddd]

@ I cannot wait to see how it turns out! Going to be so rad. I subbed immediately when I saw your most recent video.

[@KompressorPete]

Great build!!! 😊

[@ExpectRust]

Props. Well done!

[@e92catt]

Amazing work.

[@johndoe7171]

Great video, seriously unique and well put together content. Also, is that an SKXMOD Casio? Sick watch.

[@ReedMakeCar]

Thank you!! 🙏 it’s just a metal g shock gmw b5000d. First compliment I’ve gotten on it 😅