

| Subject: | Re: Funky-sounding Vanagon engines |
| From: | Karl Mullendore |
| Date: | Sun, 29 Nov 1998 21:19:45 -0500 |
I think this is an interesting thread, but a few things bother me: One, a H-D engine is not at all reliable, fuel efficient, or powerful for it's size, in Motorcycle Land. The design is certainly an outdated, archaic one at most. The sound is nothing short of a souped-up, unmuffled Maytag (for those that can remember back when washing machines were powered by 2-cyl.,2-strokes). The engine is really only (somewhat) capable of pulling around the motorcycle's weight, and is not stressed, internally, to pull a vehicle 10 times that reliably-even IF you add a few more engine units. If you really like the idea and the sound, there are a few other MC twins that are built strong and are reliable- Ducati and Moto Guzzi. Listen to one of THOSE unmuffled ! Now THAT is an exhaust note (IMNSHO) !! Honda tried the MC engine-into-car idea once: the 600. Remember those little buzz-bombs? Didn't last, didn't get fuel mileage. Besides, there are numerous dependable and fuel efficient engines that work so well, to transplant easily into our vans. A little exhaust tuning, and who knows- MAYBE it could sound like a Ferrari ! Porsche 911s/Turbos sound super, are reliable, AND are fuel efficient for their HP. Karl '87 Syncro Westy '92 DUCATI 907ie
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