he Military KLR diesel,
known as the M1031M1, was
developed by Fred Hayes and his fellow
engineers at Hayes Diversified Technologies (HDT ).
At the time, the Marine Corps was already utilizing
a special version of the Kawasaki KLR650 (M1030B1)
modified by HDT, which ran on conventional gasoline.
The U.S. military wanted all engines for jets,
helicopters and trucks, including generators and
motorcycles, running on a single fuel, JP8 diesel, by 2005.
HDT was awarded the contract in 2001 to produce the
diesel engine. Three versions of the motor were eventually
developed. This was not a modified or converted gasKLR, but an all-new motor
developed primarily by Dr. Stewart McGuigan.
The first motor produced was 610cc, with a 90mm x 96mm bore
and stroke. Compression was an impressive 20:1. Later, a 638cc was
developed and, finally, the 666cc version. The engine could run all
day at 4,000 rpm powering a huge 58-tooth rear sprocket. Peak
horsepower was 33 hp (50 hp/liter) at 5,800 rpm. Redline was in
excess of 6,000 rpm, unheard of for a diesel engine. The final motor
also passed California DOT noise and emissions requirements.
The first early production run of nearly 100 bikes was shipped
to NATO forces in England. An additional 300+ bikes were later
produced for the USMC.by John SpiekerA third generation
M1030M1, street legal.42 July/August 2019BIKE SPOTLIGHT
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