by Al Powell
Check this out-I try to keep up with modern advances in engines and parts. However, certain experts say there is nothing new today but simply old technology that has been upgraded. I will agree with this statement for the most part, my main exception would be in the field of electronics. They have come up with amazing sensors to monitor every aspect of engine performance. I hate to admit it but, engines today are much smarter than I am. New parts today which are upgrades are the multiple overhead camshafts and short stroke, high compression engines, common in racing before 1920. Also, few realize that the supercharger was first installed on an automobile prior to 1910 and the smooth flowing exhaust headers had been used in racing before that.
Today, there is a growing interest in motorcycles and the manufacturers understand
that they must win races to sell their product. Horsepower wins races and this
is gained in the most part by better breathing. Here, engineers were stymied
because the motorcycle cylinders limited the size and number of valves they could
use. There seemed to be no solution until one ingenious fellow tried something
radical. Check this out! He designed an engine where each pair of side-by-side
cylinders were brought together to make a single cylinder of oval configuration.
The piston required a pair of connecting rods for proper support and alignment.
Amazingly he was able to design piston rings for this goofy piston. This shape
allowed for at least two additional valves bringing about much better breathing
and more power. As you might imagine, reciprocating weight was slightly increased
which lowered the RPM range of the engine however, this was not a bad thing as
even though it put out more power and torque, the engines lived longer. I saw
photographs of the engine and the piston with its twin rods but still cannot
figure out how those rings sealed the walls of that oval cylinder!
They say it works so you cannot argue with success. This is one idea that is
totally new today not just an upgrade of earlier technology.