>
>As an interesting footnote, in THEORY it is possible to completely
>balance any piston-and-cylinder arrangement (even a one-cylinder!) by
>two steps: First, a counterweight should be hung off the bottom end of
>the connecting rod such that the counterweight will balance the entire
>weight of the piston, rings, pin and connecting rod around the
>crankshaft journal. Second, the crankshaft must be fitted with
>counterbalance weights large enough to counter the entire weight of
>the piston, rings, pin, connecting rod and end cap counterweight. It
>should be obvious that such an arrangement would be INCREDIBLY
>massive, and in no way worthwhile.
>
>
Ducati has developed a fascinating way to balance a single cylinder
motorcycle engine. Basically they took a 90 degree V twin, and removed one
piston, and it's accompanying cylinder head, valve train, etc. To the now
lonely connecting rod, they attached a lever arrangement, to act as the
weight of the removed piston/wrist pin assembly. The engine displaces
550 cc, and makes 75 bhp. The engine is installed in a race bike called
the Supermono, and it is the scourge of Sound of Singles races.
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