Answers:
The best set up is the VW motor mated to a BMW tranny. Heck, there's even a manufacturer that builds it using the VW transaxel, called the Amazonas in Brazil. Then there's the popular idea of using a euro NSU motor like the Munch Mammut or the VW diesel motor in the Thunder Star. The obvious American way it's done shows up in the Boss Hoss abomination.
Good luck with that one.
Other Answers:
good idea,
Source(s):
http://www.geocities.com/uttoransen4/
You'll kill yourself. Good Luck. Most auto engines are totally unsuited for this kind of work. They are way too heavy, and too wide. You'll go to all that trouble and may find ou tthat your bike handles terribly, and some guy on a CBR600RR will blow your doors off.
Source(s):
30+ yrs on bikes
Make it big. Look up stuff on R. Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion 3 wheeled car. Maybe that will give you some ideas about stability, drive lines, etc.
Do you have a particular engine in mind? A v-8 or a 4? A trike style or 2 wheels?
Boss Hoss has some kind of a one speed clutch system, with a reverse.
http://www.daytonabosshoss.com/
If you can get a look at a motorcycle called "The Boss Hoss"
they have 327 - 454's. I think they just use a shaft drive system and runa very short driveshaft.
Talk to Boss Hoss in Texas
http://www.bosshoss.com/?CID=36791476.908016