The V-Twin Engine

About The V-Twin Engine

If you are a chopper lover then you are probably familiar with the v-twin engine.Do you know why the V Twin is named a V Twin? The V Twin engine is a two-cylinder engine layout in which the cylinders form a "V". The V-Twin engine's pistons are aligned so that, if viewed along the line of the crankshaft, they appear to

be in a V.

The V configuration reduces the overall engine length and weight compared to an equivalent straight engine (the straight engine or in-line engine is an internal-combustion engine with all cylinders aligned in one row.) The v-twin configuration allows for optimum torque for a given displacement...POWER. V twin engines can be mounted in th

e transversal position (the definition of 'transversal' is a line extending or lying across at right angles to the long axis.) V twins on Harley Davidson Motorcycles are mounted in a parallel position. The longitudinal V Twin (the definition of longitudinal is: lengthways, lengthwise) as seen on Moto-Guzzis and some Hondas is less common. This position is well adapted to its transmission shafting, but has the disadvantage of causing a torque reaction that tends to lean the motorcycle on the side. The first V Twin was introduced in 1903, updated with two and three-speed gearboxes.

The Indian was one of the first US makers to offer a successful V Twin in 1907.The most obvious configuration for a V Twin is a 90° angle, but other angles can be achieved like the 45° Harley-Davidson.

Here's how a V Twin engine works...

A normal two cylinder engine fires the pistons in such a way that one fires on the first revolution of the crankshaft, and thesecond one first on the second revolution.The engines runs quite smooth under this design.

But a Harley engine has two pistons, and the crankshaft has only one pin (in the design above, which is a common design, there are two crank pins for the connecting rods which the pistons connect to), and both pistons are connected to it.

So the pistons fire almost at the same time. Whereas in the example above they fire at different intervals.

This gives the choppers, and most particularly the Harley Davidson V-twin its unique sound, throaty, in your gut...you know what I mean...

This vtwin motorcycle is one of the early versions at 90 degrees...

As you probably know, the first choppers to come out with this engine were the Harleys, so we can easily say that the v-twin engine was born in the Harley Davidson's factories.

The Harley V Twin is generally credited to Bill Harley, who designed it in 1908 as H-D's Chief Engineer. He went to work on the design right after graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1908. Those first Harley V-twin engines proved to be a failure. In 1910, the V-twin engine dropped from Harley Davidson's line.

But it was soon re-designed and appeared again in 1911.

V-tiwn's are not just for Harley's and Indian's. Many manufacturers use the configuration on their bikes: Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda...all have V-twins.

To learn more about panhead engines and v-twin engines and other different types of engines, bookmark this page because we will be adding more articles shortly.

Sejarah Old School

Why Old School Choppers Will Always Be Admired...

Old school choppers refers to custom built bikes that are based on models that have a

heavy frame, a low slung leather banana seat, a huge front wheel and a long forked front.

Like most choppers, old-school choppers are acts of deconstruction that completely eliminate the usual accessories such as a windshield or leg-guards.

The idea is to build a bike that almost like a the monstrous prehistoric metal skeleton of classic Harley Davidson and Triumph motorcycles manufactured in the early twentieth century. Their strangely high or twisted looking handlebars often also characterize old school choppers. Many builders of old school choppers will also distort the look of the exhaust pipes by bending or lengthening them.

Custom bent pipes can be purchased at chopper stores and sites to give your chopper that authentic old school look.

Old school choppers are not known for their bright colors. Brightly colored choppers are considered to be new school. To qualify as a true old school motorcycle the machine must be black and silver and boast many chrome accessories and trimmings.

Some would say a chopper is considered old school only if it boasts a v-twin engine. The most popular of V-Twin

engines that are used to create old school choppers are knucklehead and shovelhead engines. The Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company first introduced knucklehead engines to the world in 1936. The knucklehead is one of seven v-twin engines produced by the company. The other v-twin engines are the Flathead, Panhead, Shovelhead, Evolution, Twin Cam 88 and the Revolution.

The chrome head of a knucklehead engine resembles the knuckles of a human hand when it is curled up into a fist. The sculptural appearance of this engine has great appeal for those who love "the look of power."

The shovelhead engine got its name from the distinctive look of the engine's rocker box covers. These covers resemble the heads of coal shovels name.

Old school chops are also associated with celebrities such as Peter Fonda, Johnny Depp and Dennis Hopper. Popular culture has often taken a somewhat romantic view of the old school motorcycle, featuring them as the firehouses ridden by rebels, loners and vigilantes on the silver screen.

On the less glamorous side, old school motorcycles have been associated with Biker Gangs. who are fond of the enhanced bad-boy image many old school choppers provide them.

SIDE BAR: Many of Harley Davidson's first choppers were designed in the 1930s and 40s for the use of law enforcement officers.

Despite its origins as a police bike, the old school motorycle now shares a common identity and mythology with such gangs as the Pagans, the Bandidos the Outlaws and the Hell's Angels. Although not all biker gangs engage in illegal activities, these groups have given the old school biker a bad rap in the latter half of the last century.

As they are so taboo, oldschool choppers are

often the first choice for enthusiasts building a chopper. However, while shopping for used or new knucklehead or panhead engines make sure that you buy one that is going to fit your chopper frame. As glamorous as these engines are, you want to make absolutely sure that it doesn't end up sitting on a shelf because it does not bolt onto your bike!