BIKE, Dec 2002, 'V4' by Mac McDiarmid

A great article on the design of the V4 motorcycle engine:

 

Great read!!!
Thanks for posting.

 

Thanks SB. I enjoyed reading this as well and I thought I would post here in the 1st Gen Forum. I found the intel on the VF's 360 crank compared to the VFR's 180 crank especially interesting.

 

The question in the article of why V-4's aren't the norm is a good one.

My main reason for liking the VF/VFR is the buttery smooth motor and amazing powerband.
The reliability and the Gear-Driven Cams are just a fantastic bonus.

 

True enough, those gear driven cams are the cat's pajamas!

On this note, it would be an interesting project to rephase your VFR750's crank to 360° to get the 'big bang' back ;-)

 

For reference a V4 layout with a 360° crankshaft (source: stjepantisljar, YouTube)

[video=youtube;gxWj-2MHxUQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=gxWj-2MHxUQ[/video]

 

Great monday morning read. Thanks!

 

Glad you enjoyed reading this.

If you are looking for another great read, check out Julian Ryder's book Honda's V-Force. Lots of great info on the history of the mighty Honda V4 engine.

Julian Ryder - Journalist and Broadcaster



On a side note, this article got me thinking that it would be great to have library of sound recordings here of stock VF and VFR engines that could, as an option, be slowed down to hear the firing rhythm of the 180 and 360 degree cranks.

Any owners with digital sound recorders out there?

 

Oooh....neat idea