I have heard it explained many times that Guzzi V Twins are somewhat inspired by automotive practice...

[VtwinStorm]

Longitudinal engine (N-S) orientation in the chassis.

Separate gearbox, no sharing fluid with the engine.

Driveshaft, like most cars.

Also with a rear differential, like a car.

Can anyone else point out other engineering that is more automotive than motorcycle on a Guzzi V Twin?

These bikes really are interesting.

[MartyNZ]

A dry clutch, like a car

[VtwinStorm]

47 minutes ago, MartyNZ said:

A dry clutch, like a car

Yes, forgot that one. Not submerged in oil like most motorcycles...

[pete roper]

Your Guzzi has a Differential? Why? Is it a trike?

[VtwinStorm]

4 minutes ago, pete roper said:

Your Guzzi has a Differential? Why? Is it a trike?

Sorry, wrong term...bevel box.

[pete roper]

Better.

[VtwinStorm]

1 minute ago, pete roper said:

Better.

Also known as a final drive.

I'm learning Guzzis... I'm more experienced with air-cooled Ducatis.

Still learning...

[Weegie]

Unsprung weight?

[GuzziMoto]

Single cam in the V, with push rods to the valves is more common on cars than motorcycles.

But really I would not call any of this "automotive engineering". Old school engineering perhaps. Once upon a time many motorcycles used similar engineering.

[80CX100]

It's been discussed many times in the past, so I'm surprised no one has mentioned it here.

The guzzi engine is basically the last 2 cylinders of the old Chevy 350 V8, ie. 90 degrees, low compression, 2 small valves, pushrods, rocker arms, going back to a dry clutch, tranny and drive shaft.

fwiw 

[Scud]

Well, I think there is a better case that the old BMW flying brick engines were car technology stuffed in a motorcycle. Except they made the flywheel and clutch spin opposite of the engine, which is pretty cool. That made it motorcycle only.

[po18guy]

29 minutes ago, 80CX100 said:

It's been discussed many times in the past, so I'm surprised no one has mentioned it here.

The guzzi engine is basically the last 2 cylinders of the old Chevy 350 V8, ie. 90 degrees, low compression, 2 small valves, pushrods, rocker arms, going back to a dry clutch, tranny and drive shaft.

fwiw 

But, it's got a HEMI!!!

Guzzi v. Chrysler 426.

[VtwinStorm]

21 minutes ago, po18guy said:

But, it's got a HEMI!!!

Guzzi v. Chrysler 426.

This also! Hemispherical heads.

[Lucky Phil]

41 minutes ago, 80CX100 said:

It's been discussed many times in the past, so I'm surprised no one has mentioned it here.

The guzzi engine is basically the last 2 cylinders of the old Chevy 350 V8, ie. 90 degrees, low compression, 2 small valves, pushrods, rocker arms, going back to a dry clutch, tranny and drive shaft.

fwiw 

That's a stretch. A 350 Chev is water cooled, bathtub or wedge shaped combustion chamber, paired valves with inlet between the V and exhaust the other side so transverse cross flow. Ones all aluminium and ones Iron/iron or Iron/aluminium. I guess they're both 90deg 4 stroke piston engines

 

Ciao  

[docc]

So, even with as many commonalities we can name between the Moto Guzzi "Big Block" and the beloved American V8, the Guzzi motor is a thing of its own, purposefully designed, and elegantly executed.

" . . . with the presence of a Norman horse . . . "