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HandWiki. L-Twin. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/36860 (accessed on 22 September 2026).
HandWiki. L-Twin. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/36860. Accessed September 22, 2026.
HandWiki. "L-Twin" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/36860 (accessed September 22, 2026).
HandWiki. (2022, November 28). L-Twin. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/36860
HandWiki. "L-Twin." Encyclopedia. Web. 28 November, 2022.
L-Twin
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A V-twin engine, also called a V2 engine, is a two-cylinder piston engine where the cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration. Although widely associated with motorcycles (installed either transversely or longitudinally), V-twin engines have also been used for industrial engines and in several small cars. The V-twin design dates back to the late 1880s.

v-twin motorcycles piston engine

References

  1. Posthumus, Cyril (1977) [1977]. "Fathers of Invention". The story of Veteran & Vintage Cars. John Wood, illustrator (Phoebus 1977 ed.). London: Hamlyn / Phoebus. pp. 12–13. ISBN 0-600-39155-8. https://archive.org/details/storyofveteranvi0000unse. "But the engine, now fitted lower, in front of the rear axle, had progressed to become a narrow vee-twin with cylinders at 20°, and giving an estimated 1.6hp at 700 rpm." 
  2. Ling, Peter J. (1990). America and the Automobile: Technology, Reform and Social Change, 1893-1923. Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press. p. 97. ISBN 0-7190-3808-1. https://books.google.com/?id=LQDoAAAAIAAJ. Retrieved 2013-01-18. 
  3. "Motor Cycling, November 12th, 1902". Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160405193810/http://www.oldbike.eu/museum/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/1902_Motorcycling_30-copy1.jpg. Retrieved 9 May 2018. 
  4. "The Evolution of the Motor Cycle", Motor Cycle magazine, June 1st, 1922, pp700-706
  5. de Cet, Mirco, ed (2002). The Illustrated Directory of Motorcycles. St. Paul, MN USA: Salamander Books. pp. 117, 340. ISBN 0-7603-1417-9. https://books.google.com/?id=wNzyIcw2vxoC. Retrieved 2013-01-18. 
  6. Walker, Mick (2000). Mick Walker's European Racing Motorcycles. Tyne & Wear, UK: Redline Books. p. 92. ISBN 0-9531311-3-0. https://books.google.com/?id=7bGuud7_uy0C. Retrieved 2013-01-18. 
  7. Garson, Paul (2005-03-20). "I Coulda Had a V-8.... so I Did". Motorcycle.com. Verticalscope. Archived from the original on 2008-08-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20080821151644/http://www.motorcycle.com/events/i-coulda-had-a-v8-so-i-did-12730.html. Retrieved 2010-04-18. "By 1934 Guzzi offered a range of 175, 250 and 500cc models including full touring machines. The next year they raised the ante once again, challenging the all-vanquishing Norton at the legendary Isle of Man TT, basically a course the British racer owned lock, stock and single barrel thanks to a phenomenal rider, Scotsman Jim Guthrie. Moto Guzzi went to a Brit for riding skills, one Stanley Woods. They gave him a new racer featuring a 120-degree V-twin with offset cranks firing at 180 degrees with bevel gears and shafts driving the SOHC, good enough for 44 hp at 7500 rpm and 112 mph, on equal standing with the Norton. It had an ace up its sleeve so to speak in that it incorporated a type of pivoted-fork rear suspension while the frontend was a springer, a design that had never won a Senior TT due to its handling deficiencies, or so was thought. Guzzi had done some tweaking in that department as well. It also came equipped with a massive twin-leading shoe front brake, a 4-speed gearbox, and alloy wheels, another innovation to cut down unsprung weight. When the dust had settled and the calculations determined, the wreath of victory went to Woods and Moto Guzzi, leaving Norton as they say, gobsmacked. Not only that, the Guzzi had smashed the track lap record. The next day Moto Guzzi was world famous." 
  8. "Honda: 1983 Shadow 750". Archived from the original on May 19, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080519233200/http://powersports.honda.com/the_story/heritage/heritage_milestone.asp?Decade=1980&TargetUrl=Milestone%2FMilestone_Model_0102.asp&PrevPageTitle=TimeLine. Retrieved 2008-05-20. 
  9. "Suzuki VX800". Cycle World: 36–37. July 1990. "At some point in the motorcycle's development, the company changed the crankpin offset from 45 to 75 degrees in hope of creating a smoother-running motor. But just as production began, American Suzuki engineers decided that the new offset resulted is less mid-range power as well as a too-sanitized exhaust note, one that didn't sound very V-Twin-like. Presto, now the US models come with the 45-degree offset, while the rest of the world gets the 75-degree staggered crankpins.". 
  10. Vittore Cossalter. "Shaking forces of twin engines". Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20110724060837/http://www.sense.net/~blaine/twin/twin.html. Retrieved 2010-07-25. 
  11. "The Physics of: Engine Cylinder-Bank Angles". 14 January 2011. https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15126436/the-physics-of-engine-cylinder-bank-angles-feature/. Retrieved 18 August 2019. 
  12. Gantriis, Peter; Von Wartenberg, Henry (2008). The Art of BMW: 85 Years of Motorcycling Excellence. MotorBooks International. p. 80. ISBN 978-0-76033-315-0. "The Zundapp (sic) was powered by an air-cooled 170-degree V-twin that was very similar in design that was very similar in design to the BMW boxer twins" 
  13. Cossalter, Vittore (2006). Motorcycle Dynamics (Second ed.). Lulu.com. pp. 291–294. ISBN 978-1-4303-0861-4. 
  14. Foale, Vittore (2006). Motorcycle Handling and Chassis Design: the art and science (Second ed.). Tony Foale. pp. 11–6. ISBN 978-84-933286-3-4. https://archive.org/details/motorcyclehandli00foal. 
  15. Coombs, Matthew; Haynes, John; Shoemark, Pete (2002). Motorcycle Basics (2nd ed.). Haynes. p. 1•31. ISBN 978-1-85960-515-8. https://books.google.com/books?id=D0DhHAAACAAJ. "The transversely mounted [cylinder] V-twin, as used to good effect for many years by Moto Guzzi, slots easily into the frame, and has excellent cooling as both heads are stuck out into the wind. It also provides the perfect set-up for using shaft drive."  Holmstrom, Darwin (2001). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles. Alpha Books. ISBN 978-0-02-864258-1. https://books.google.com/books?id=VGrp5Pjsf4UC&pg=PA82. "Ducati's engines, which are longitudinal (they are positioned lengthwise in the frame) most obviously display the "L" configuration, but Moto Guzzi's engines, which are transverse (arranged croswise in the frame), are also at 90 degrees."  New 2009 Moto Guzzi V7 Classic Honors Historic Roots, Moto Guzzi Spa, archived from the original on May 27, 2009, https://web.archive.org/web/20090528073549/http://www.motoguzzi-us.com/servonline/news/dettaglio.asp?indice=271, retrieved 2009-04-29, "Just as importantly, the V7 became an instant technology trendsetter thanks to its innovative transverse, air-cooled V-twin engine with shaft drive."  Out of history, on to the road., Moto Guzzi Spa, archived from the original on March 26, 2009, https://web.archive.org/web/20090326002937/http://www.motoguzzi-us.com/Nuovi_modelli/breva1100/specifiche4.asp?pagina=spec&modello=breva1100&pag=4, retrieved 2009-04-29, "We could, of course write a book about Moto Guzzi’s transverse V-Twin."  Grubb, Jake (March 1975). Easy Riders Grand Touring Motorcycles for '75. 143. Hearst Magazines. 82. https://books.google.com/books?id=aeMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA82. Retrieved 2009-04-29. "Ducati 750 Sport with its clip-on handlebars and racing setup, is for those who want to do their touring stretched out prone! Engine is a longitudinal V-twin. ..The unique 90∘longitudinal engine produces enormous low and mid-range torque...Moto Guzzi 850T...An 850-cc 90° transverse V-twin engine..." 
  16. Carpenter, Susan (2007-07-25), "Chaps aren't de rigueur, but a helmet, yes", ASK THROTTLE JOCKEY, archived from the original on 2013-12-21, https://web.archive.org/web/20131221081941/http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hyw-qa25jul25,1,2706840.story, "According to my source at Moto Guzzi Technical Services, "The Guzzi engine is a 90-degree 'L' twin, actually, because the cylinders are oriented at 90 degrees, instead of a typical V twin that has a smaller angle ( 60-degree, 77-degree, etc.). It is called 'transverse' because the engine is mounted with the crankshaft oriented front to back instead of left to right. Because of this you cannot run a chain or belt drive directly to the rear wheel like in most motorcycles. This is why you have a separate gearbox that bolts to the engine and transfers the power to the rear wheel via the drive shaft. This is how it is done on the Moto Guzzi and a BMW." 
  17. Cocco, Gaetano (2004), Motorcycle design and technology, MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company, pp. 117 ff, ISBN 978-0-7603-1990-1 
  18. Heritage/History: Design/Technology, BMW Motorrad, archived from the original on September 27, 2007, https://web.archive.org/web/20070927231254/http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/pdfs/history/design_tech.pdf, "...the boxer had three unique innovations that would remain throughout its years in development:The engine design included transversely mounted cylinders, which were cooled by exposure to the passing air." 
  19. Cocco, Gaetano (2004). "Chapter 11 The Engine". Motorcycle Design and Technology. St. Paul, MN USA: MotorBooks International. p. 117. ISBN 0-7603-1990-1. https://books.google.com.jm/books?id=Ydk0bgq2_3YC&pg=PA113&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=4#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 2013-05-28. "In some construction layouts the transverse width is the same as a single-cylinder engine, which allows very narrow frames and bodywork with small frontal areas." 
  20. Dean, Paul (May 2005). Edwards, David. ed. "Service: Oil miser". Cycle World (Newport Beach, CA USA: Hachette Filipacchi Media) 44 (5): 160. ISSN 0011-4286. Archived from the original on 2014-04-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20140415094643/http://books.google.com.jm/books?id=E86bEyC7DzoC&pg=RA5-PA60&dq=V-twin+%22rear+cylinder%22+cooling&hl=en&sa=X&ei=GlKiUY6UN43S9gSkoYCgBg&ved=0CCoQ6AEwADgo#v=onepage&q=V-twin%20%22rear%20cylinder%22%20cooling&f=false. Retrieved 2013-05-26. "An air-cooled big-bore V-twin in particular can get very hot, especially the rear cylinder, which is not exposed to as much cooling air as the front.". 
  21. Coombs, Matthew; Haynes, John; Shoemark, Pete (2002), Motorcycle Basics (2nd ed.), Haynes, p. 1•31, ISBN 978-1-85960-515-8, https://books.google.com/books?id=D0DhHAAACAAJ 
  22. Friedman, Art; Trevitt, Andrew; Cherney, Andrew; Elvidge, Jamie; Brasfield, Evans (April 2000). "Sport Cruisers Comparison - Seven Sport-Cruiser Motorcycles". Motorcycle Cruiser. Source Interlink Media. "Take a Spin" section, paragraph 4. Archived from the original on 2010-05-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20100502180324/http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/sport_cruisers_comparison/index.html. Retrieved 2010-09-10. "Though the Valkyrie also has a longitudinal crankshaft, this torque reaction has been eliminated by making some of the components, such as the alternator, spin the opposite direction of the engine." 
  23. Battisson, Stephen (1997). "Developing the V6 - Taming The Beast". The Laverda V6. Stephen Battisson. p. 3. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20110708092245/http://www.breganzane.com/vm/history/v6/page3.html. Retrieved 2010-09-10. "By arranging the rest of the engine internals to rotate in the opposite direction to the crankshaft their forces are cancelled out without having to resort to the weight, complexity and friction associated with two crankshafts." 
  24. Bobbitt, Malcolm (2004). Three Wheelers - Those were the days. Veloce Publishing Ltd. p. 16. ISBN 978-1-903706-81-7. 
  25. "Triking". 3wheelers.com. Archived from the original on 2010-10-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20101005102736/http://3wheelers.com/triking.html. Retrieved 2010-08-21. 
  26. "Ace Cycle Car". Archived from the original on 2008-12-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20081210235648/http://cycle-car.com/. Retrieved 2008-11-27. 
  27. "JZR Vehicles". 3wheelers.com. Archived from the original on 2010-10-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20101005101746/http://3wheelers.com/jzr.html. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  28. Adolphus, David Traver. "Hemmings Motor News: 1964 Mazda R360". Hemmings Motor News. Archived from the original on 2012-07-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20120711000000/http://www.hemmings.com/hsx/stories/2007/07/01/hmn_feature20.html. Retrieved 2010-08-21. 
  29. "1962 Mazda R-360 Coupe "De Luxe"". The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum. Archived from the original on 2010-09-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20100924173219/http://microcarmuseum.com/tour/mazda-r360.html. Retrieved 2010-08-21. 
  30. "Briggs & Stratton Riding Mower Engines". Archived from the original on 2011-04-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20110426130422/http://www.briggsandstratton.com/engines/riding-mower/. Retrieved 2011-04-21. 
  31. "Honda V-TWIN SERIES ENGINES". Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20110722090313/http://engines.honda.com/models/series/v-twin. Retrieved 2011-04-21. 
  32. "Kawasaki ENGINE SERIES". Archived from the original on 2011-04-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20110423090518/http://www.kawpowr.com/engines/type.aspx?shaft=0. Retrieved 2011-04-21. 
  33. "Subaru Robin". Archived from the original on 2010-11-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20101129050447/http://robinamerica.com/engines.aspx. Retrieved 2011-04-21. 
  34. "Tecumseh Power". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20110716202231/http://www.tecumsehpower.com/CustomerService/ServiceEnginesandAccessories.pdf. Retrieved 2011-04-21. 
  35. "Kohler Engines". Archived from the original on 2011-04-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20110424113014/http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinecatalog/productMatrix.htm. Retrieved 2011-04-21. 
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