wedge designer

[roadcrave]

where did this engine get designed and developed, anyone know????

[milo]

Germany?

[barryg]

China?

[GILLY]

Fat Baldistan?

[jurgen]

I still don't get it:
A transverse crankshaft requires TWO sets of bevel gears from the engine to the real wheel. In engineering design class I learned that a set of bevel gears costs about 5% of power. So, we're losing 10% between the gearbox output and the rear wheel.
With the boxer and brick designs it makes sense - a longitudinal crankshaft lends itself to a driveshaft design.
But, why hold on to the driveshaft when it turns into an engineering fauxpas?
Why does BMW not simply put a belt on the wedge? A belt costs about 3% in transmission power. And guaranteed 20 pounds less weight. Plus, it would also solve the final drive problems
Or a chain??? No, that would be too Japanese
Something to get the crowds fired up...

So, here's my offer to BMW: If you put a belt on the wedge, I'll buy it. Till then, I'll ride my brick.

[BUDDINGGEEZER]

The wedge inline four is basically the type of engine called the UJM (Universal Japanese motor). The first engine of this type in a motorcycle is the 1969 Honda CB750. The K brick engine is a UJM mounted on it's side longitudinally.

Ralph Sims

[cjack]

I still don't get it:
A transverse crankshaft requires TWO sets of bevel gears from the engine to the real wheel. In engineering design class I learned that a set of bevel gears costs about 5% of power. So, we're losing 10% between the gearbox output and the rear wheel.
With the boxer and brick designs it makes sense - a longitudinal crankshaft lends itself to a driveshaft design.
But, why hold on to the driveshaft when it turns into an engineering fauxpas?
Why does BMW not simply put a belt on the wedge? A belt costs about 3% in transmission power. And guaranteed 20 pounds less weight. Plus, it would also solve the final drive problems
Or a chain??? No, that would be too Japanese
Something to get the crowds fired up...

So, here's my offer to BMW: If you put a belt on the wedge, I'll buy it. Till then, I'll ride my brick.

Oh heck...I could be going 192.22 mph instead of 173. Bummer.

[GILLY]

The wedge inline four is basically the type of engine called the UJM (Universal Japanese motor). The first engine of this type in a motorcycle is the 1969 Honda CB750.
Ralph Sims

You wanna research that a tad Ralphie????
Das ist inkorrect.

Gilly

[Lee]

You wanna research that a tad Ralphie????
Das ist inkorrect.

Gilly

Since we are in the forum for the transverse inline four, I figured the 69 Honda 750 was the correct answer. I realize for aft inline fours have been around since the early 1900s.
So I give up, who had the first transverse inline four in a motorcycle?

[GILLY]

Well for sure Friedel Munch had it, I also have heard that Honda (like THE Mr Honda) got the idea from seeing a Munch at a European bike show (Cologne or where ever). I believe there may have been some before that, but Honda seeing a Munch was the real impetus.

http://www.fasterandfaster.net/2007/...mut-tts-e.html

Gilly

[GILLY]

Consulted with a real cycle expert, he says in the 50s there were a few race bikes with transverse 4's, mentioning Gilera and NSU. There was an MV Agusta shown to the public in 1965, first one not sold until 1967.
The first Munch was shown to the public in Feb 1966, was in the Cologne bike show in Sept 66 (where Honda saw it), and the first one was sold in Nov/Dec 1966, so the first transverse 4 sold to the public, in this guys opinion, was the Munch.

Gilly

[BUDDINGGEEZER]

Consulted with a real cycle expert, he says in the 50s there were a few race bikes with transverse 4's, mentioning Gilera and NSU. There was an MV Agusta shown to the public in 1965, first one not sold until 1967.
The first Munch was shown to the public in Feb 1966, was in the Cologne bike show in Sept 66 (where Honda saw it), and the first one was sold in Nov/Dec 1966, so the first transverse 4 sold to the public, in this guys opinion, was the Munch.

Gilly

I stand corrected. damn Wikepedia. The 1968 M??nch-4 TTS 1200 Mammut did have an inline 4 overhead cam engine.

Like it or not the, the K bike and 1000cc BMW liter bike is getting Japanese like. Wet clutch, transverse inline 4, chain on the liter bike. Some guys are gripping about the Jap like turn signal switch.

Ralphie Sims

[GILLY]

I'd rather think that BMW finally caught up to Friedel Munch!

[dtpetty]

Like it or not the, the K bike and 1000cc BMW liter bike is getting Japanese like. Wet clutch, transverse inline 4, chain on the liter bike. Some guys are gripping about the Jap like turn signal switch.

Ralphie Sims[/QUOTE]

That turn signal switch would keep me from buying one - I'm serious! Vas vere dey tinking!?

[98lee]

The K brick engine is a UJM mounted on it's side longitudinally.

Ralph Sims

The Brick is more like BMWs CAR engines of the period (320i) than like a Japanese motorcycle engine.