...it relates to our bikes. I've been down with this cold so it gives me time to surf around on the net. I've always liked the street tracker look so that's what I typed into Google as I sit here with a bloated sinus. I eventually came across
this article from a guy who is building a street tracker out of a 1977 Yamaha XS650. It's a popular project for that bike, and there's some nice examples out there. What got my interest about this particular article was that this guy is/was converting the normally 360 firing interval of the stock engine, into a 277 degree firing motor. He goes with 277 instead of 270 because it's cheaper.
Now his reasoning for doing this is because he claims this allows for a freer revving motor and produces less vibration. Now I've ridden a 2001 Bonnie, and didn't notice it vibrating anymore than our bikes, but that could be compensated for in some of the part of the engine design for all I know. Anyway, not being a gearhead myself, I was wondering if his logic is correct? If any of this makes sense, maybe Triumph had something more in mind than just a more cruiser-like exhaust notes for our bikes.
Another possible reason is for slightly better rideability, which could also be tied into Bill Gately's flat track racer. After trying the regular Bonnie configuration, his team went to a 270 crank. I don't know the exact reasons why, but speculation is that it hooks up better on the dirt, and might give an edge in the midrange department.
