Author Topic: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?  (Read 3020 times)

Offline Canuck750

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NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« on: July 27, 2021, 10:17:44 PM »
There have been hundreds of different motorcycle engines produced in the last 100+ years, some are more beautoful thatn others, some show most of their function on the exterior, some conceal the workings, some are complex and dispaly fascinating engineering.

The Moto Guzzi 250 and 500 singles are lovely motors with their large external flywheels and exposed hair pin springs on the early models but they are not 'beautiful' IMHO.



My vote for clean lines are the Motobi / Benelli 'egg' motors produced in two and four stroke singles, two stroke twins in a wide range of displacement. This is a 200 Benelli Sprite four stroke single I am starting to work on, circa 1965.

48 Guzzi Airone, 57 Guzzi Cardellino, 65 Benelli 200 sprite, 66 Aermacchi Sprint, 68 Gilera 106 SS, 72 Eldorado, 72 Benelli 180, 74 Guzzi 750S, 73 Laverda SF1, 74  Benelli 650S, 75 Ducati 860GT, 75 Moto Morini 3-1/2, 78 Moto Morinii 500

Offline Moto Vita

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2021, 10:25:49 PM »
  Black Shadow.

Offline Canuck750

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2021, 10:31:09 PM »
48 Guzzi Airone, 57 Guzzi Cardellino, 65 Benelli 200 sprite, 66 Aermacchi Sprint, 68 Gilera 106 SS, 72 Eldorado, 72 Benelli 180, 74 Guzzi 750S, 73 Laverda SF1, 74  Benelli 650S, 75 Ducati 860GT, 75 Moto Morini 3-1/2, 78 Moto Morinii 500

Online RinkRat II

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2021, 11:51:46 PM »

    From the modern age I'd have to go with the Morbidelli V8. You really have to see one in person to fully appreciate the beauty.

               



      Paul B  :boozing:
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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2021, 11:51:46 PM »

Offline balvenie

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2021, 11:57:26 PM »
Agree with RinkRatII

I regret not being able to get a poster-size pic of one, after first seeing one in an Aussie mag. The Editor had no idea where I could get one and there ended my Quest.
Oz
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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #5 on: July 28, 2021, 12:09:53 AM »


 My A10...not a rats nest of pipes and shapes ,just organic simplicity

Offline PhilB

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #6 on: July 28, 2021, 12:15:49 AM »
The Morbidelli is certainly a top contender -- too bad it didn't make series production.  I have seen one, at the Barber museum.

For series produced engines, I'd have to go with the later Ariel Square-Four.

PhilB



Online tazio

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #7 on: July 28, 2021, 03:14:05 AM »
Near the top of my list as well..


 My A10...not a rats nest of pipes and shapes ,just organic simplicity
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Offline lazlokovacs

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #8 on: July 28, 2021, 04:24:03 AM »
all beautiful, but nothing comes close to the original roundfin guzzi!


Offline twodogs

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #9 on: July 28, 2021, 04:52:27 AM »
The Ducati single for some reason has always done it for me :boozing:
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Online chuck peterson

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #10 on: July 28, 2021, 05:18:37 AM »
Moto Demm 50cc Gran Prix Champion 1961

DOHC, 9.8 hp at 15,000rpm

Moto Demm manufactured the measuring devices used in the Italian moto/car industry during the analog 50-60’s











« Last Edit: July 28, 2021, 05:29:34 AM by chuck peterson »
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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #11 on: July 28, 2021, 05:59:19 AM »
So many to choose from. Here's another I like.


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Offline Iron Cross Junction

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #12 on: July 28, 2021, 06:03:54 AM »

Great thread.  Like all so far.

That said, the word “prettiest” seems (to me) somehow unapt, with “most handsome” or “best looking” or “most artful” or something, but not prettiest.  That is, however, pre-coffee quibbling; sorry.

But, if I may also be pardoned for this somewhat iconoclastic comment, at least WRT the Euro nominees thus far, I think the prettiest — or whatever label one chooses — is the Indian Thunderstroke.



 

IMO, it is better looking than the 1948 Indian Chief 80″ Flathead it was meant to emulate.

My second place trophy also goes to an Indian engine, albeit of the pre-Polaris days, i.e., this, also a throwback.  In this case, a 1920 Indian.





But, coffee’s ready — thanks, Kathi — so I may come to my senses shortly.

Bill
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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #13 on: July 28, 2021, 06:07:00 AM »
Tons of them.  In the 4 stroke world, the Yamaha XS 650 always comes to mind.

in the 2 stroke world, too many to mention.  Most of the Japanese bikes from the early 1970's.

Suzuki's 125 Stinger was an eye catcher.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=suzuki+stinger+125&t=h_&iax=images&ia=images&iai=https%3A%2F%2Fs1.cdn.autoevolution.com%2Fimages%2Fmoto_gallery%2FSUZUKI-T-125-Stinger-1947_8.jpg
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Online Perazzimx14

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #14 on: July 28, 2021, 06:46:34 AM »
For all the "E" bikers. Those new WEG's are something.



 
« Last Edit: July 28, 2021, 06:47:59 AM by Perazzimx14 »
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Online AJ Huff

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #15 on: July 28, 2021, 06:47:13 AM »
Feuling W3

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Offline Scout63

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #16 on: July 28, 2021, 06:55:23 AM »
Great topic.  Low hanging fruit for me are:

Norton Commando
Norton Manx
Ducati single
Matchless heavy single
Roundfin Guzzi
Yamaha SR500
Virago 920
Honda SL 125
Panhead

Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Huzo

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #17 on: July 28, 2021, 06:59:17 AM »
Pretty ?
Triumph Tiger Cub

Online Dave Swanson

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #18 on: July 28, 2021, 07:03:59 AM »
I am partial to this one.  My 1955 Triumph T110.

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #19 on: July 28, 2021, 07:05:53 AM »
But I think in my stable this one wins.  1968 V700

Dave Swanson - Northern IL
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Offline Luap McKeever

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #20 on: July 28, 2021, 07:07:42 AM »
I've always thought the 4V Guzzi was the prettiest engine I've ever owned. It was also the "snappiest" Guzzi I've ever owned.




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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #21 on: July 28, 2021, 07:20:19 AM »
If you look at TodkaVonic's Ambo, you'd be hard pressed to not say a loopframe roundfin



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Offline nick949

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #22 on: July 28, 2021, 07:34:17 AM »




Nick

Offline Joliet Jim

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #23 on: July 28, 2021, 07:41:36 AM »
I am partial to this one.  My 1955 Triumph T110.



Yeah something about old Triumph and Norton engines, they polish so nicely :) It's a beauty
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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #24 on: July 28, 2021, 07:45:03 AM »
Great thread.  Like all so far.

That said, the word “prettiest” seems (to me) somehow unapt, with “most handsome” or “best looking” or “most artful” or something, but not prettiest.  That is, however, pre-coffee quibbling; sorry.

But, if I may also be pardoned for this somewhat iconoclastic comment, at least WRT the Euro nominees thus far, I think the prettiest — or whatever label one chooses — is the Indian Thunderstroke.



 

IMO, it is better looking than the 1948 Indian Chief 80″ Flathead it was meant to emulate.

My second place trophy also goes to an Indian engine, albeit of the pre-Polaris days, i.e., this, also a throwback.  In this case, a 1920 Indian.





But, coffee’s ready — thanks, Kathi — so I may come to my senses shortly.

Bill

From what year is the motor in the lower picture?  :undecided:

Offline Cam3512

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #25 on: July 28, 2021, 07:57:27 AM »




Duc single.  So magnificent. 

My Benelli SS 250 has the egg motor.  I’m not blown away with that one.

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Online PeteS

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #26 on: July 28, 2021, 07:59:29 AM »
Never owned one of these but always thought the late '60s Triumph Bonnevilles were some of the best looking bikes ever made. Cleaner engine than my Norton.





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Offline s1120

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #27 on: July 28, 2021, 08:00:14 AM »
Gotta love a nice engine... 



Paul B

Offline inditx

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #28 on: July 28, 2021, 08:14:06 AM »
At the risk of sounding a bit cheeky, it’s whatever I’m riding at the time.

However, I am partial to the Bultaco and the Elsinore pictured here, at the “World Famous Marquette Motorcycle Museum" in Marquette Kansas.
Home of Stan “The Man” Engdahl memorabilia and much more.
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Offline inditx

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Re: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine?
« Reply #29 on: July 28, 2021, 08:16:15 AM »
Never owned one of these but always thought the late '60s Triumph Bonnevilles were some of the best looking bikes ever made. Cleaner engine than my Norton.





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