Best Looking Engines

[Gilly]

This thought cropped up from the K Bike forum, debating the virtues of the K75S lower spoiler. Some like it on, other think it looks better with the lower half of the engine exposed.
Myself, as much as I respect the "Brick" engine, I don't find it especially nice to look at.
What in your opinion is a good looking engine?
My vote for one of the most appealing-looking engines would be the Rolls Royce Merlin V12.

Gilly

[PAULBACH]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/ClipArt/Motorcycleengineart.jpg

Author: Daniel Peirce

By tradition, the motorcycle is a naked beast. Differing from other vehicles by the fact that its mechanical structure is also part of its aesthetic appearance. In The Fine Art of the Motorcycle Engine, photographer Daniel Peirce examines the graphic nature of historic engines with stunning and dramatic photography. Since the beginning of the motorcycle, engine designers knew they had to design power plants that performed well and looked good doing it. In addition to engine photography, the book also tells the story of the project and the years it took to bring it from an inspired idea to a tangible reality. What started as an artistic outlet became an obsession and eventually a business.
Product Detail

Hardcover: 144 pages

Format: 10 by 10 inches, color illustrations

Available from Whitehorse Press (http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product_info.php?products_id=5992)

Of course, you would need a big stocking

[ridewv]

I kind of like the look of the K engines, through 1992. The K100 16V with it's slightly rounded valve cover is my favorite of them. The new generation K1200's just look like a Yamaha IMO. (But the new ones really work well.)

[Bob_M]

When liquid cooled motorcycle engines made their modern appearance (with the Suzuki water buffalo?) there was concern that engines, so vital to the appearance of motorcycles, would start looking like air compressors and the the aesthetics of motorcycles would forever be less. IMHO a clean and polished Norton Commando is the best looking air cooled motorcycle engine. The bubbles of valve covers and the organic round shapes of the cases balance the canted stack of cylinder fins to just look right.

The flat head Ford V8 is (with aftermarket finned heads) is the best looking automobile engine.

But the Britten V-twin, with that ball-of-snakes header system and the elemental simplicity of functional design is hard to beat.

[108625]

1. The Vincent V-twin, spiritual forefather of the Britten, is the Grand Slam Home Run of engine designs. Every detail, from the angles of the pushrod tubes, to the graceful sweep of the pipes, just looks so right. Looks best in deep glossy enamel Black Shadow form. Looks scariest in supercharged Black Lightning configuration (all those exposed drive chains on the left side, ready to chew you up).

2. The Honda CBX inline six, all fins and exhaust, with no frame down tubes in the way to mess up the view. The ultimate in Japanese excess before radiators and body work took over.

3. For the single cylinder alternative, the Ducati Desmo 350-450 models. Nothing else captures the light, narrow purity of what a motorcycle could be...Though some Bultacos come close (but they put a down tube in front of the engine).

[shire2000]

I wold vote for the Ariel Square Four. One of the prettiest engines I have ever seen. Wish I still had my old one. Even if it wasn't all that reliable. Kept overheating the rear 2 cylinders. Wish mine looked this good when I had it. This is a pic. of the same year and model. 1000cc of true British engineering. Left it's mark everywhere.
15086

[GregFeeler]

I kind of like the look of the K engines, through 1992. The K100 16V with it's slightly rounded valve cover is my favorite of them. The new generation K1200's just look like a Yamaha IMO. (But the new ones really work well.)

Interesting. All the 4-valve K100/1100's have the same look to my eye, but admittedly, you can't see much of the engine on a K1100RS or LT. My K1200RS (Flying Brick) engine is beautiful - but I only see it late at night when the bike slips into something more comfortable, and sexy. :brow

[deilenberger]

There are two types of appeal to me - one for simply a beautiful to look at engine, another for a mechanically interesting engine.

For sheer beauty - you'd be hard pressed to beat the 60's-70's English and Italian bikes (before things like reliability pressed too hard on the engineering staff..) They took pains to finish an engine to a "high standard", and it showed.

For mechanical appearance - some of the BMW engines, in particular boxers - have a real attractive "machine" look to them. No excess, no frills, everything there for a purpose sort of look, and finished as the need of the part required (rough castings are actually better for dissipating heat on an air-cooled engine sort of thing..)

As has been mentioned - the home run engine is the Vincent Black Shadow. Close behind it were the Norton Commando engines (particularly the final year 850) and a few Triumph (650 Tiger) engines. Early Ducati engines when you could see all the bits always appealed to me for being mechanically interesting, with interesting engineering solutions to problems already solved (often better) on other engines.

[GregFeeler]

There are two types of appeal to me - one for simply a beautiful to look at engine, another for a mechanically interesting engine.

For sheer beauty - you'd be hard pressed to beat the 60's-70's English and Italian bikes (before things like reliability pressed too hard on the engineering staff..) They took pains to finish an engine to a "high standard", and it showed.

For mechanical appearance - some of the BMW engines, in particular boxers - have a real attractive "machine" look to them. No excess, no frills, everything there for a purpose sort of look, and finished as the need of the part required (rough castings are actually better for dissipating heat on an air-cooled engine sort of thing..)

As has been mentioned - the home run engine is the Vincent Black Shadow. Close behind it were the Norton Commando engines (particularly the final year 850) and a few Triumph (650 Tiger) engines. Early Ducati engines when you could see all the bits always appealed to me for being mechanically interesting, with interesting engineering solutions to problems already solved (often better) on other engines.


+1 :thumb

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

Manx Norton motor, a big thumper is a piece of art. http://www.olympiamotosports.com/ast_mens/ast_mens.htm

[Kbrick]

I thought that an engine looked best in context,
I submit Mike Hailwood's winning Ducati from the Isle of Man

A link to the other pictures, http://www.christopher-marshall.co.uk/gallery.html

[GSTom]

My vote is for the venerable Harley Davidson Panhead (1948-1965) both 61 cubic inch and 74 cubic inch.. clean design, sleek appearance, muscular look, wrapped in a mid 20th century modernistic platform.

[r60us]

For me it's any north-south vertical inline such as the Indian Four or my Daihatsu diesel powered BMW parts bin special.
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/1803/dpa7md2.jpg

[swall]

Tell me more about the diesel!

[Gilly]

Yeah and what's with the Sporty air cleaner on it?

[aaaaaa]

Yeah and what's with the Sporty air cleaner on it?
Yes, It is quite sporty. That's why it's so good looking!
robert

[35634]

OK, all the little scooter motors are cute and functional, but for roaring, visceral,
feel it in your gut good looks and some kind of epitome in reciprocating engines
one of these takes the cake. Courtesy of Pratt & Whitney.

[Bob1100RTC]

Not much more imposing image than an old Chrysler Hemi with a cross ram intake.

[crazydrummerdude]

OK, all the little scooter motors are cute and functional, but for roaring, visceral, feel it in your gut...

While I agree.. This thread is worthless without this set of pics.

They're beautiful.

http://neatorama.cachefly.net/images/2006-08/world-largest-diesel-engine.jpg

[Munchy]

Gotta love the Munch Mammut

Type/No. of cylinders DOHC four-stroke, transvers in-line four-cylinder
Displacement 1,998 cc
Bore/stroke 86/86 mm
Valves 16, (hydraulic lash adjustment)

http://www.friedel-muench.de/e/sites/home.html

http://www.friedel-muench.de/e/muench/photos/table_2/photos_01.jpg

[Gilly]

HEY Munchy, did you know Dave Manthey? PM or email me if you want.
Gilly

[osbornk]

I think the best looking engine is a boxer engine. I think the most attractive boxer is the engine on the R1200CLC. Like a high school prom queen, the prettiest is not the best performer or the most powerful.

[ridewv]

I think the best looking engine is a boxer engine. I think the most attractive boxer is the engine on the R1200CLC. Like a high school prom queen, the prettiest is not the best performer or the most powerful.


Yeah but that one can't even cook :laugh

[wvrt]

Yeah but that one can't even cook :laugh

Spoken like a GT rider ;)

[pffog]

Not sure if it is the best looking, but it is BEAUTIFUL, especially when you close your eyes and just listen.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2nlGN6aS8g&feature=related

[kentuvman]

When I was 16 my buddy rode a nice BSA 650 and the engine was good to look at.

[kentuvman]

I really like the looks of the R69 - aesthetically a work of art.

[osbornk]

Yeah but that one can't even cook :laugh

For some reason, cooking never enters the mind when you're looking at beauty.

[35634]

Yeah but that one can't even cook :laugh

This one GOT cooked! :banghead

[37071]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdfO657zHNY

:brow

[37071]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUsaYRyuGNY&NR=1

[1963rgs]

Nothing like the early British twins
15242

[R100RS]

Morbidelli V8:

[osbornk]

Morbidelli V8:

This might be the winner!

[Gilly]

:heart

It costs HOW much???
:cry

Gilly

[mfifer]

Sorry Guys , I have a place in my heart for these.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/mfifer/ST1300/MachIII.jpg


Mike

[Gilly]

My first bike was a 75 S3A 400 triple, second was a 75 H2C 750 triple. Rocket with a sprocket......

Gilly

[Oldhway]

Best looking engine ever? for me , no contest.... The 1979 Honda CBX.

[KGT1200]

These pictures are better than penthouse!