This week, it’s all about the machines. After catching up on some of our project bikes, we get technical, discussing V-4 motors. From pre-war British bikes to Grand Prix Hondas, we explore what makes V-fours so attractive from an engineering point of view, why they don’t always work so well aesthetically, and why we don’t see more of them on the market. We also discuss related issues regarding engine balance, vibration, and blueprinting.
False Neutral – V Four Variety
Except where noted in the captions, images are standard press kit/website photos used courtesy of the respective manufacturers.
![2016 Honda VFR1200X](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FN22-02-2016-Honda-VFR1200X.jpg?resize=450%2C347)
![01](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/01.jpg?resize=450%2C321)
![1935 Matchless Silver Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Matchless-1935-11-720x361.jpg?resize=450%2C226)
![1936 Puch P800](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/751ec4777e2a18e5230757a8dba2d214-e1469507492411.jpg?resize=450%2C261)
![1936 AJS air-cooled V4](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FN22-06-1936-AJS-air-cooled-V4-720x477.jpg?resize=450%2C298)
![1957 Ariel Square-4 1000](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FN22-07-1957-Ariel-Square-4-1000.jpg?resize=450%2C318)
![1964 Ducati Apollo](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FN22-08-1964-Ducati-Apollo.jpg?resize=450%2C338)
![FN22-09](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FN22-09-Jawa-350-V-4-race-engine.jpg?resize=450%2C384)
![FN22-10](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FN22-10-CZ-Type-860-720x487.jpg?resize=450%2C304)
![Motus MST](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/EP-16-11-Motus-MST-e1465489758221.jpg?resize=450%2C304)
![1983 Honda V65 Magna (VF1100C)](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FN22-11-1983-Honda-V65-Magna.jpg?resize=450%2C259)
![Honda's NR-series oval-piston bikes](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/95customs_hondaNR500-e1422298970851-720x232.jpg?resize=600%2C193)
![NR engine configuration](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FN22-12b-NR750-engine-720x339.jpg?resize=450%2C212)
![2016 Honda RC213V-S](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FN22-13-2016-Honda-RC213V-S-720x493.jpg?resize=450%2C308)
![Honda MVX250F V-3 engine configuration](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FN22-14-Honda-MVX250F-engine-configuration.jpg?resize=450%2C347)
![Ducati Supermoto engine showing balance rod (courtesy ducati.wikia.com)](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FN22-15-Ducati-Supermoto-engine-with-balance-rod-upper-center-of-crankcase-720x540.jpg?resize=450%2C338)
![1985-86 Honda NS400R](https://i0.wp.com/hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FN22-16-1985-86-Honda-NS400R-720x483.jpg?resize=450%2C302)
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