Motorcycle engines have always had a kind of exposed, industrial beauty. I visit a lot of motorcycle museums and it has struck me that in this age of plastic-encased motorcycles and copycat V-twins, we have lost something – the art of the motorcycle engine.
Just peruse these amazing vintage engines that I photographed at the San Diego Automotive Museum and see what I mean. Tell me when you've seen a modern motorcycle engine that is as uniquely beautiful as the ones below. (Click on photo for a bigger view)
 |  |
An Upright Velocette Beauty
| The Sweeping lines of a Vincent
|
|  |
An Amazing Ariel Square Four
| A Bultaco Two-Stroke
|
 |  |
An Early Indian V-Twin
| A Jet-Like Sachs Wankel
|
 |  |
An Early Scott Water-Cooled
| Harley-Davidson's Pea Shooter
|
