During the first half of the 20th century, the motorcycle established itself as the simplest of useful vehicles: for transportation, for sport, or for military applications. Motorcycles had air-cooled engines, generally of one or two cylinders, that could be easily kickstarted. They were basic, providing not a lot more than two wheels, an engine, and a place to sit. That very simplicity was at the center of the motorcycle’s appeal. Just hop on, start the engine, and give your life a whole new direction, wherever you wanted to go.
Now a cornerstone of that simplicity— air cooling—is coming under siege, with some pundits predicting that the next round of European emissions standards cannot be met with air cooling.
Large air-cooled engines of traditional design—Harley’s 1200 Sportster, some Big Twins, and…
