Penguin & Chopper
Hey, I’ve been mapping out the ideal torque curve for a V‑twin that hits a sweet spot between top speed and fuel economy. How would you adjust the cam profile to hit that sweet spot?
Chopper here.
If you want that sweet spot, lengthen the cam duration on the intake a bit so you get more airflow at higher RPMs, but keep the lift moderate so you don’t lose low‑end bite. On the exhaust, use a slightly shorter duration to keep it tight at low end, then roll off to a little higher lift for the top‑end. Lightly advance the timing at the start of the overlap so the valve closes a touch early – that helps fuel economy, then pull it back a bit later to keep the top speed. Stick to a profile that’s not too extreme; you want smooth, predictable torque, not a screaming engine. If you can, swap the cams out on the two banks to match the V‑twin’s unique firing order, that’ll give you a tighter curve and keep the bike in its sweet spot.