The "big" flywheel is a flyweight by automotive standards.Tim Shepherd wrote: I've seen videos of motorcycle engine powered VWs on Youtube, and it certainly feasible to do with a BMW engine. Think about it; stock VWs put out 36-56 hp and that's covered by the R50/5-R80/7. The big flywheel would be a plus.
The 24 hp 1100 of 1950 had 50 ft lbs of torque, almost 20% more than the R80 - which had 42. Their 44 hp 1500 was making 78 ft. lbs. of torque. That's more than 10% more torque than my Oilhead made almost 30 years later. It also peaked at 3800 rpm. Do not confuse automotive tuning with motorcycle tuning. When you have to move a ton of car, and possibly as much as 800 lbs. of passengers, it's not just about hp. Torque is king.
Our beloved "torquey" boxer motor would feel peaky and weak trying to move a beetle. It's not just the peak power, but moving over a ton needs a lot flatter power curve than a bike does. An 1800 6 cyl. Wing motor? That would probably work okay.
