engines

Dream E-Type: Early days of the Honda 4-Stroke

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from https://www.thesundaily.my Mr Honda’s disdain for two-stroke engines fuelled the relentless pursuit of perfection for his little four-strokers. It was March 1951 when Soichiro Honda summoned engineer Kiyoshi Kawashima from Hamamatsu. “‘Kawashima, would you mind coming over for a moment?’ It was the beginning of a two-month stint in the capital as I worked on the design of the E-Type 4-stroke engine in a corner of the Tokyo Plant,” recalls Kawashima. “When the plans were at last ready the Old Man dashed in to see it, bringing Fujisawa, with him.” (Takeo Fujisawa was Honda Motor Co Ltd’s co-founder.) Kawashima can remember clearly that day in May 1951. “As he showed the plans to Fujisawa, Mr. Honda gave us an enthusiastic commentary: ‘Ah, I see. You have this kind of valve and the cam goes like that. This is what I call an engine, it isn’t just a two-stroke machine that looks as though it’s been cut from a bamboo tube with holes drilled. This will sell. Honda will do well with this!’ Mr. Fujisawa didn’t have any understanding of the plans, he didn’t know anything about mechanical things at all, so he just said things like ‘Hm, yes, that’s great,’” said Kawashima, laughing. The now-legendary test crossing of the Hakone Pass took place on July 15. In those days the Hakone Pass was considered the ultimate test for a motor vehicle. Even lorries could only get over it if they stopped for a rest every now and then. So it was certainly a challenge for a small 150cc motorcycle. Kawashima acted as both the engine designer and on that occasion, as test rider. “Actually we’d been using the Hakone Pass as a test track for quite some time by then. I was sure we could climb it, but I was […]

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Travis Wyman joins Harley-Davidson Factory Team for King of Baggers

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RACER TRAVIS WYMAN JOINS HARLEY-DAVIDSON SCREAMIN’ EAGLE FACTORY TEAM FOR KING OF THE BAGGERS SERIES Brothers Travis and Kyle Wyman to Race Factory Road Glide Special Bikes at Road America MILWAUKEE (June 10, 2021) – The Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle® factory racing team will field multi-talented racer Travis Wyman as a second entry in its MotoAmerica King of the Baggers road racing series. Travis Wyman will race a factory-prepared Harley-Davidson Road Glide® Special powered by a modified Screamin’ Eagle® Milwaukee-Eight 131 Performance Crate Engine. He joins his brother, Kyle Wyman, on the two-rider team for the King of the Baggers race June 11-13 at Road America near Elkhart Lake, Wis. In addition to its factory team effort, Harley-Davidson is offering a nearly $30,000 cash contingency program for qualified Harley-Davidson® racers competing in the King of the Baggers series. “We are ready to turn up the heat in MotoAmerica at our home track of Road America by adding Travis to the Screamin’ Eagle factory team,” said Jochen Zeitz, chairman, president, and CEO Harley-Davidson. “The King of the Baggers series is bringing big excitement for fans and we’re pleased to add to the show by expanding our team to two top riders representing Harley-Davidson and Screamin’ Eagle.” The three-round MotoAmerica King of the Baggers series is for race-prepared, American V-Twin touring motorcycles equipped with a fairing and saddlebags. In the series debut on May 2 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Kyle Wyman placed second on the Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle factory Road Glide Special motorcycle. Travis Wyman is the owner of Travis Wyman Racing, based in Las Vegas. He is currently also competing in MotoAmerica Stock 1000, Honos Superbike and Superbike Cup. The 29-year-old racer finished the 2020 MotoAmerica season in second place in the Superbike Cup and third in the Stock 1000 championship.

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Gearhead’s Trike Story

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by Tim Graves with photos from Sam Burns That old trike was a real Frankenstein’s monster. She was the back end of a Corvair of a 1960 vintage and a front end of a Honda CB 500. She had a full-size keg gas tank on the chariot bed over the engine. The driver seat was a plastic Baja bucket. The passenger seat was none. Just a little history of what started me on the biker’s road. Click Here to Read this Photo Feature Article only on Bikernet. Join the Cantina for more – Subscribe Today. https://www.bikernet.com/pages/custom/subscription.aspx

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Harmful E15 Fuel Labeling Changes that Could Hurt Engines

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MIC Tackles Harmful E15 Fuel Labeling Changes that Could Hurt Engines The MIC is opposing proposed changes by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to modify and remove E15 fuel labeling requirements at gas pumps nationwide. This fuel includes high levels of ethanol, between 10.5 and 15 percent, which can harm powersports engines, degrade performance, increase emissions, cause fuel leaks and even engine failures – as well as voiding manufacturer warranties. The proposed labeling changes will make it more difficult for consumers to distinguish the difference between E15 and the less harmful E10 fuel, and will fail to communicate the risks of improper E15 use. “While we appreciate the addition of the word ‘motorcycles’ in the proposed label, we are concerned that the other significant changes to the label minimize its effect and make it look like just another sticker, rather than an alert that people need to pay attention to,” said Scott Schloegel, senior vice president at the MIC Government Relations Office. “The proposed warning label does not adequately notify consumers about the improper use of E15,” he said. “To the contrary, the proposed changes stress ‘Safe for use in’ rather than drawing ‘ATTENTION’ to the label and instructing them to ‘Use only in’ certain products. The proposed label also removes other critical alert language and replaces it with more matter-of-fact language as outlined in the comparisons below.” The MIC’s GRO has written to the new EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, stating that the proposed labeling changes will result in adverse environmental, safety, and economic consequences, and deny consumers basic information about engine compatibility. Under the proposed labeling requirements, the words “ATTENTION” and “E15 Up to 15% Ethanol” and “Use Only In” would be replaced with “Contains Up to 15% Ethanol” and “Safe for Use In.” “The labeling changes do

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San Francisco International showcases early American motorcycles

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by Colleen Morgan from https://www.moodiedavittreport.com An exhibition exploring the history and development of motorcycling has opened at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The SFO Museum exhibition, in the International Terminal Departures, started on 11 February and will run through 19 September 2021. According to exhibition organisers, early American motorcycles “reflect a bygone era of mechanical innovation and bold industrial design”. They are prized by collectors around the world and displayed on vintage rides, endurance runs, and at special events. The exhibition presents fourteen ‘exceptional’ examples made prior to 1916, along with a collection of rare engines and photographs from the pioneering era of motorcycling. It follows the development of the motorcycle – “one of the earliest and most exciting applications of another new invention, the gasoline-powered internal combustion engine” – from the 1890s until 1915. The exhibition highlights the progress of motorcycle technology during that period and the evolvement of riding “from a novelty, to a hobby, sport and a reliable source of transportation”. As the presentation points out, “motorcycling in the early twentieth century was always an adventure”. “Road conditions were generally poor and hitting a pothole or other hazard on a motorcycle supported by a primitive, stiffly sprung suspension could easily throw a rider off the bike”. It also underlines the need for “athletic ability” to start and ride these machines and that motorcyclists had to be mechanically minded to keep them in working condition. Early American Motorcycles is one of several exhibitions which are running for limited periods at the SFO Museum. Others include Hair Style, Instrumental Rock ‘n’ Roll, Paula Riff, Amelia Konow   and Alternative Process by the San Francisco University School of Art. The airport also offers a strong line-up of permanent exhibitions which include Pan American Airways, Harvey Milk ‘Messenger of Hope’ and Spirogyrate,

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Yamalube’s New High-Performance Full Synthetic Engine Oils Now Available

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GP Racing Spec and Hi-Performance Oils Maximize Durability of High Performance Engines MARIETTA, Ga. – July 13, 2019 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, today announced Yamalube’s GP Racing Spec and Hi-Performance Full Synthetic engine oils are now available at Yamaha dealers across the nation. Both Yamalube’s GP Racing Spec and Hi-Performance are SAE 10W-40 4T full synthetic engine oils with a modern balanced formulation designed for superior performance and maximum durability for today’s advanced high performance engine parts. They provide enhanced engine performance, fuel efficiency and excellent thermal stability for advanced protection in any on- and off-road application. Offering the ultimate in Yamalube’s ultra-high performance engine oils, GP Racing Spec oil is the newest generation of Yamalube’s 50-plus year lineage of competition blends. Derived from the same oil used in Yamaha’s YZR-M1 MotoGP bike, the new GP Racing Spec oil is blended using advanced additives for high thermal resistance in extreme racing and other severe environments. GP Racing Spec oil maximizes engine power and enhances overall clutch and shifting performance with its extreme anti-wear and anti-friction properties. Yamalube’s GP Racing Spec oil is classified as a JASO MA2, while Hi-Performance oil is classified as JASO MA. Both products meet API SL requirements. Learn more about Yamalube, Genuine Yamaha Accessories, apparel and more at https://www.shopyamaha.com. For more information related to all Yamaha products, visit https://www.yamahamotorsports.com. Follow Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, through your favorite social media site: www.facebook.com/yamahamotorusa, www.instagram.com/yamahamotorusa, www.twitter.com/yamahamotorusa #Yamaha #Yamalube #YamahaMotor #YamahaMotorUSA

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The Legacy of Arlen Ness – an Obituary

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It is with heavy hearts that we announce Arlen Ness the visionary, loving husband, father, grandfather and leader of our family passed away last night March 22, 2019. Arlen passed away comfortably in his home surrounded by loved ones after the most creative and inspirational life anyone could imagine. The most important things in Arlen’s life were his wife of 59 years Beverly, his children, grandchildren, friends and motorcycles. Arlen once said that “Motorcycling has been a great ride…my whole life since I’ve been motorcycling has been wonderful. I’ve met so many nice people. Friends all over the world. We can go almost anyplace and stay with friends. It’s been great.” With few words Arlen conveyed his priorities every day, family and friends. Everyone who knew Arlen respects him for his achievements and for who he was as a person, both of which are superlatives. The respect is how Arlen came to deserve the commonly spoken nickname “The King of Custom Motorcycles”. Arlen rarely reflected on his own success. He never planned for it, this is because what he achieved had never been done before; it had never been dreamt of. Arlen has touched the lives of his family, the Arlen Ness team and thousands of others around the world with his genuine character. Arlen’s family will announce a memorial service and celebration of life after some private time, and appreciate your understanding. Arlen’s family thank you for your respects and condolences. Although the Ness family cannot put their loss into words, they can look up and smile knowing Arlen has done something that few men do in a lifetime of trying. He has inspired. A true gentleman, a one-of-a-kind visionary and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. You will be missed, Arlen. Arlen Darryl Ness (July 12,

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GEX Motor Engines for Trikes

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A Popular Volkswagen Engine has become the Heart of Trikes Everywhere. Join the rear of a Volkswagen with the front of a motorcycle, cover it with a sleek body the color of rancid plums or electric blue, chrome the motor, put wide tires on the rear and VOILA, you have a trike. Ready to roar, the trike is fast, lightweight and very fuel efficient. The trike motor can be designed to push 2 or 3 times the weight of the trike itself. It has been called the perfect medium between the car and the bike. There is nothing like riding in the wind on the winged wheels of a motorcycle or trike. At GEX, trike motor sales have become a fast growing segment of the business. The most popular trike motor that we sell is the 1776. It is the perfect combination of performance and reliability. Coming in at about 95 hp with dual carbs, it is the ideal trike motor. For those looking for serious performance, then consider the 2110 cc trike motor. This is a stroked motor with the same diameter piston and cylinder as the 1776 and is about 120 hp. Either of these motors chromed out, with dual carbs and exhaust can be a beautiful addition to the rear of your trike. Let us help you design the motor of your choice to ride into the wind…… READ OUR GEX ENGINE FEATURE HERE…

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