Engine nicknames?

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 15, 2011 | 08:43 AM

#31

StreetGlider57

Road Master

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 960

Likes: 1

From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

IMO, the Twinkie term for the Twin Cams was a name given to them with the intention of being a bit of a put-down by the owers of EVO and older engines. But like many nicknames it seems to be hanging around. Personally I think the term Twinkie sort of sucks. It's like being stuck with the nick name "stinky".

It seems also that since the knuckle, the pan, the shovel and the Evo each have a nick name given to them by riders that this tradition must be carried on. But I just can't picture, when the TC's have been replaced with something else, that the name "twinkie" will be used much. I expect the straight forward "twin-cam" followed by the displacement will be what sticks around.

Last edited by StreetGlider57; Jan 15, 2011 at 08:59 AM.

Jan 15, 2011 | 11:32 AM

#32

exiledcarper

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 118

Likes: 4

I can't help thinking the Twin Cam might end up being the very last real Harley motor. Deserves a btter mo****r than "Twinkie". Love mine.

Jan 15, 2011 | 07:21 PM

#33

El Rey

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 3,141

Likes: 6

From: San Diego, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigGdawg

They were called E or F for Knuckleheads and Pans. Whatever alphabetical designator was how H-D called em. Knucklehead & Panhead were enthusiast names. Now H-D uses em.

Actually, most older cats referred to them in that era as "61's", including the MoCo.

Evolution= Evo or Blockhead.

Twin Cam= TC, Twinkie, Fathead.

Jan 15, 2011 | 07:34 PM

#34

krusty1

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 3,886

Likes: 3

In reality, the various Harley engine configurations were named after the the nicknames of the the engineers that originally came up with each of the basic engine design modifications (each HD engineering generation owes a great deal to the ineptitude of the preceding generation....which must be respectfully acknowledged) . Most metric owners save a lot of time by simply referring to the classic HD engine design by referring to it as a 'lunk-head' engine....in that way offending no particular HD engine design engineer.

Jan 15, 2011 | 07:57 PM

#35

SavannahBob

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 267

Likes: 0

From: Slumped Over

I had a '75 Ironhead in a rigid frame, and if I remember correctly, it was called (at least by me), a "F'n POS".

Especially when I stripped the kicker gear and had to push start it.
Wish I had kept it, now.

Jan 15, 2011 | 09:04 PM

#36

larry bart

Road Master

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 1,161

Likes: 296

From: TEXAS

V-Rod

Quote:

Originally Posted by piasspj

Do those same books refer to the EVO as a "Blockhead"?
I wonder if some of those names were used internally at H-D.
EVO and Twinkie are common names for them. I've never heard a different term for the Revolution engine.

Revolution could be the" Waterhead "