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© Jim Baines

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Uploaded: September 06, 2008

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Jim Baines level-classic September 06, 2008

4-Stroke Cycle #993230

Jim Baines level-classic September 06, 2008

( SUCK) INTAKE ~ The intake stroke begins with the piston near the top of its travel. As the piston begins its descent, the exhaust valve closes fully, the intake valve opens and the volume of the combustion chamber begins to increase, creating a vacuum (thus the term SUCK for this cycle). As the piston descends, an air/fuel mixture is drawn from the fuel injectors into the cylinder through the intake manifold. The intake stroke ends with the intake valve closed just after the piston has begun its upstroke.

(SQUEEZE) COMPRESSION ~ As the piston ascends, the air/fuel mixture is forced into the small chamber machined into the cylinder head. This compresses the mixture (SQUEEZE) until it occupies 1/8th to 1/11th of the volume that it did at the time the piston began its ascent. This compression raises the temperature of the mixture and increases its pressure, increasing the force generated during the ignition cycle.

(BANG) IGNITION ~ The air/fuel mixture is ignited (BANG) by the spark plug just before the piston reaches the top of its stroke so that a large portion of the fuel will have burned by the time the piston begins ascending again. The heat produced by combustion increases the pressure in the cylinder, pushing the piston down with great force. This is the cycle that actually creates power in an engine and is also commonly referred to as the POWER stroke..

(BLOW) EXHAUST ~ As the piston approaches the bottom of its stroke, the exhaust valve begins opening and the pressure in the cylinder begins to force the gasses out around the valve. The ascent of the piston then forces nearly all the rest of the unburned gasses from the cylinder (BLOW). The cycle begins again as the exhaust valve closes, the intake valve opens and the piston begins descending and bringing a fresh charge of air and fuel into the combustion chamber.

Remember that this is a basic explanation of how the internal combustion engine works. Variations from this diagram include multiple valve and/or spark plug/fuel injector configurations for increased efficiency and domed pistons for higher compression ratios, to name just a few. But the basic process of SUCK-SQUEEZE-BANG-BLOW is the same for all four-stroke engines.

#6418045

Shirley Sicurello level-classic September 06, 2008

Thanks for the info, Jim! I am in the process of buying a Honda motorcycle, so this was interesting as I don't understand mechanics at all! #6418360

Deb Koskovich September 06, 2008

Wow, I love the surreal artsy look of this, Jim! #6418449

Mike Clime September 06, 2008

I like this, JIm, as it is what Harley is all about. #6418660

Bojan Bencic level-classic September 06, 2008

Beautiful machine and treatment, Jim. Intresting (nick)names for the cycles. :o) #6418664

Bill Knaps September 06, 2008

Beautiful capture Jim. I will write you when I have time. Want to tell you about a Harley I was going to by and almost got killed on the way to trade my Honda in on it. Back in 83. Bill #6421137

Barbara Waldoch September 07, 2008

Boys toys :-)
Terrific capture, Jim! #6422224

September 24, 2008

I love your explanation - great shot!! #6508537

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