Author Topic: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine? (Read 3054 times)

Alfetta · « **Reply #30 on:** July 28, 2021, 08:24:08 AM »

IMHO it's hard to beat the late 60's british engine designs based on looks alone. My personal fave is the BSA big single, clean shapely and un cluttered.

Iron Cross Junction · « **Reply #31 on:** July 28, 2021, 08:35:00 AM »

Quote from: jwinwi on July 28, 2021, 07:45:03 AM

From what year is the motor in the lower picture?

Not sure how many years, but at least 2002. See that year in this Indian Chief Roadmaster:

high resolution photo sharing sites

Bill

twodogs · « **Reply #32 on:** July 28, 2021, 08:36:51 AM »

LOL, will this work Perazzimx as I spit coffee all over

Don G · « **Reply #33 on:** July 28, 2021, 08:51:49 AM »

This has to be one of them....

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #33 on:** July 28, 2021, 08:51:49 AM »

jwinwi · « **Reply #34 on:** July 28, 2021, 09:28:11 AM »

Quote from: Don G on July 28, 2021, 08:51:49 AM

This has to be one of them....

THIS ^^ Top 5 for sure. Been trying to find a picture of a Parilla that has one polished casting that looks like a Y covering the valve gear -right side ?

philwarner · « **Reply #35 on:** July 28, 2021, 09:46:02 AM »

I am partial to my Triumph America even with its fake air cleaners,

but just in case you meant the prettiest engine you've never seen, here's my recent addition.
(actually it is butt ugly when you get to it)

blackcat · « **Reply #36 on:** July 28, 2021, 09:46:26 AM »

1960 500cc Norton Manx

kidsmoke · « **Reply #37 on:** July 28, 2021, 12:03:42 PM »

piling on....

cliffrod · « **Reply #38 on:** July 28, 2021, 01:07:57 PM »

Quote from: jwinwi on July 28, 2021, 09:28:11 AM

THIS ^^ Top 5 for sure. Been trying to find a picture of a Parilla that has one polished casting that looks like a Y covering the valve gear -right side ?

I'm guessing you mean a Parilla 175/250 High Cam. The actual OHC 250 looked more like a Ducati single with tower shaft. The high cam (mid level, not overhead) is not actually a Y casting. It has little clamped rubber tubes enclosing the short push rods completing the Y figure-

Hard to pick a favorite prettiest motorcycle engine. Norton Manx is very high in my list. But my favorite complete bike as a deliberate overall composition, including engine as part of that composition, is easy. it's a V7 Sport.

Canuck750 · « **Reply #39 on:** July 28, 2021, 01:13:49 PM »

Quote from: cliffrod on July 28, 2021, 01:07:57 PM

I'm guessing you mean a Parilla 175/250 High Cam. The actual OHC 250 looked more like a Ducati single with tower shaft. The high cam (mid level, not overhead) is not actually a Y casting. It has little clamped rubber tubes enclosing the short push rods completing the Y figure-

Hard to pick a favorite prettiest motorcycle engine. Norton Manx is very high in my list. But my favorite complete bike as a deliberate overall composition, including engine as part of that composition, is easy. it's a V7 Sport.

Hi Cam Parilla, a beautiful example of Italian engine castings!

Turin · « **Reply #40 on:** July 28, 2021, 01:14:26 PM »

you beat me to it !

Canuck750 · « **Reply #41 on:** July 28, 2021, 01:18:46 PM »

Another favorite of mine - the Gilera Saturno Sport 500, dual overhead cam

jwinwi · « **Reply #42 on:** July 28, 2021, 01:19:43 PM »

Quote from: cliffrod on July 28, 2021, 01:07:57 PM

I'm guessing you mean a Parilla 175/250 High Cam. The actual OHC 250 looked more like a Ducati single with tower shaft. The high cam (mid level, not overhead) is not actually a Y casting. It has little clamped rubber tubes enclosing the short push rods completing the Y figure-

Hard to pick a favorite prettiest motorcycle engine. Norton Manx is very high in my list. But my favorite complete bike as a deliberate overall composition, including engine as part of that composition, is easy. it's a V7 Sport.

Agreed on the V7 Sport

Maybe what I'm thinking of is not a Parilla. What I remember

is 1 casting that covered the whole side of the motor including the area where the rubber tubes are on this motor...

Canuck750 · « **Reply #43 on:** July 28, 2021, 01:25:10 PM »

The Guzzi V Twin is definitely beautiful on the inside!

bacongrease · « **Reply #44 on:** July 28, 2021, 01:34:49 PM »

egschade · « **Reply #45 on:** July 28, 2021, 02:02:57 PM »

1940 Indian 4 and a V11 Coppa. Also think Indian did a great job with their Thunder Stroke V-twin

cliffrod · « **Reply #46 on:** July 28, 2021, 02:42:29 PM »

Quote from: Canuck750 on July 28, 2021, 01:25:10 PM

The Guzzi V Twin is definitely beautiful on the inside!

Around here down south, that kind of compliment ranks right up there with "well, Bless your heart." Too funny..

ITSec · « **Reply #47 on:** July 28, 2021, 05:22:18 PM »

Count my vote among modern engines as going for the Indian Thunderstroke - if anything, the new 116 is even better looking than the 111.

For something older and eclectic, I always loved the spare aesthetic of the 70s two-strokes, particularly my old Yamaha RD400D...

Tusayan · « **Reply #48 on:** July 28, 2021, 09:41:46 PM »

Esthetically, my favorite bike engines would be the MV Agusta triples from their last 1970s GP bikes and the Honda Elsinore two stokes of the same era. Both have a functional machinery look combined with compact form and attractive shape. Also the sound from each is compelling

Guzzi engines typically have nice textures and details, but their overall form is driven by practicality in design and maintenance, not just esthetics, which is a good thing.

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #49 on:** July 28, 2021, 10:19:57 PM »

This about the prettiest photo I've seen of a motorcycle engine. I think the pic courtesy of Lucky Phil

chuck peterson · « **Reply #50 on:** July 29, 2021, 04:53:32 AM »

Sandcast.

huub · « **Reply #51 on:** July 29, 2021, 08:53:19 AM »

one more vote for the norton manx !

JJ · « **Reply #52 on:** July 29, 2021, 08:56:51 AM »

Quote from: PeteS 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.

Pete

That would be one of my top 3 as well...This is a 1970...

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #53 on:** July 29, 2021, 09:32:21 AM »

I always thought the BSA was the prettiest of the British twins, with the Royal Enfield 750 a close second.

Rough Edge racing · « **Reply #54 on:** July 29, 2021, 11:22:38 AM »

Kiwi Dave · « **Reply #55 on:** July 29, 2021, 03:53:01 PM »

Quote from: jwinwi on July 28, 2021, 07:45:03 AM

From what year is the motor in the lower picture?

Here's some information based on questions I asked on an Indian forum.

https://www.indianmotorcycles.net/threads/the-indian-chief-predecessor.335565/#post-3512859

radguzzi · « **Reply #56 on:** July 29, 2021, 04:47:09 PM »

Dave and Pete have beat me to the punch but...

Pre Unit Triumph Engines have Always stirred the soul.

The later Unit Construction Engines carry on the beautiful look as well... All of my Current Triumphs are of the '70s persuasion.

Some of the other posted engines are indeed beautiful pieces.

We are all just helpless gearheads. I'm ok with that.

Rough Edge racing · « **Reply #57 on:** July 29, 2021, 05:10:42 PM »

I have a few pre units and unit twins...

chuck peterson · « **Reply #58 on:** July 29, 2021, 05:25:06 PM »

No cheating..!

As a pro fotog for 30 plus years and always giving my opinion when not asked…

That pic could use a pair of twins….suntanned California women….in yellow bikinis

Just saying..hell w the motors

SmithSwede · « **Reply #59 on:** July 29, 2021, 09:42:44 PM »

This one is a contender.

This one is not. WTH was Norton thinking?

News:

Author Topic: NGC what is the prettiest motorcyle engine? (Read 3054 times)

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jwinwi

jwinwi

Rough Edge racing

Rough Edge racing