Harley Davidson may be looking into partial water cooling
By: Dodsfall
June 12th, 2012
7:10 am
Harley Davidson has applied for a patent on a limited form of liquid cooling for it's big twin motorcycle cylinder heads.
The air-cooled V-twin has been a staple for Harley Davidson for many generations. They are simple, easy to maintain, and their customers love the look of the iconic American classic. Harley Davidson may be considering a slight change that would keep the aesthetics of the classic V-twin but allow the cylinder heads to run cooler.
Keeping an air-cooled engine's cylinder heads cool is actually pretty easy. You simply add enough fuel to the air/fuel mixture to keep the engine at the temperature you wish it to be. This, combined with the proper amount of exhaust pressure and circulation of oil negates any problems with getting the cylinder heads too hot.
Emission standards and higher fuel economy call for less fuel to be used, however. It's a delicate balancing act to keep the engine as efficient as possible and still within operating temperature to guarantee a long engine life.
One possible solution is the head cooling system patented by Harley Davidson. It would potentially keep the cylinder heads cooler by circulating water through them with an electric water pump and transfer the heat out of the cylinder head through a partially hidden radiator.
This would allow for a leaner fuel mixture, using less gas and producing fewer emissions. The classic look of the engine would remain virtually unchanged externally.
It's not known if Harley Davidson will actually implement the new system at this time. We do know that they are at least considering it.
[Cycle World]
Post Reply
9 comments on "Harley Davidson may be looking into partial water cooling"
June 12, 2012 at 7:26 am
Porsche purists the world over went into convulsions when Porsche finally went to water cooling with their iconic air-cooled flat-6. It was a necessary measure to keep the engine competitive & lower emissions. In other words, they did what was necessary to keep up with the times. Things change, and the public's expectations of performance & economy are ever growing. I think HD needs to get with the program as well. If it makes their bikes more reliable, it might actually help them in the long term.
June 12, 2012 at 7:45 am
Yeah, it is going to be interesting to see how this plays out.
Although some will say the world will end if HD does this, I have a feeling it will pretty much be a non issue, and will actually help HD attract a few more buyers.
Believe it or not, some people prefer liquid cooling. May God have mercy on those people's souls. <g>
Ralph
June 12, 2012 at 8:34 am
1) The Mayan calendar ends 12/21/2012
2) The guy most of the world watched bring in the new year (Dick Clark) dies in the year we shouldn't have a New Year.
3) Zombie attacks in Florida, New Jersey, Maryland, Canada
4) Harley adding water cooling.....(in something other than a VRod)
Suddenly having a Doomsday bunker doesn't seem like a bad idea....
June 12, 2012 at 9:20 am
Well that haven't mentioned going with a drive shaft instead of belt or chain it may not be all doom and gloom for everyone.
June 12, 2012 at 7:25 pm
Well, not ultimately a bad thing if you ask me. If it allows them to make it run more efficiently and squeeze a few more mpg's out of the big motors i really can't see a big deal in it. Especially if the nit wits of the EPA forces all gasoline to run 15% ethanol which is potentially detrimental to the longevity of air cooled motors.
June 12, 2012 at 9:06 pm
I've wondered when this was going to happen. Should this make it to production sometime soon, I only hope they make it a little less unsightly than the V-rod's radiator housing.
June 13, 2012 at 5:27 am
Well, not ultimately a bad thing if you ask me. If it allows them to make it run more efficiently and squeeze a few more mpg's out of the big motors i really can't see a big deal in it. Especially if the nit wits of the EPA forces all gasoline to run 15% ethanol which is potentially detrimental to the longevity of air cooled motors.
June 13, 2012 at 7:49 am
well of course, that or katulu doesn't appear from his under water prison to destroy the world.
June 15, 2012 at 9:24 pm
Didn't one of the boxer engine manufacturers do this some years back; a mix of air and liquid cooling?
I wanna say Subaru and/or Rotax (small aircraft engines, among other things)...like a hybrid system?