Royal Enfield motorcycles typically feature single-cylinder engines, although they also produce some twin-cylinder models. Here's a general overview of how a Royal Enfield single-cylinder engine functions:
Intake Stroke: The engine's piston moves downward, creating a vacuum in the combustion chamber. The intake valve opens, allowing the air-fuel mixture to enter the cylinder.
Compression Stroke: The piston moves upward, compressing the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. Both the intake and exhaust valves remain closed during this phase.
Power Stroke: When the piston reaches the top of the compression stroke, the air-fuel mixture is ignited by a spark plug. The resulting explosion forces the piston back down, generating power.
Exhaust Stroke: As the piston moves upward again, the exhaust valve opens, allowing the burned gases to exit the cylinder and flow into the exhaust system.
The rotation of the crankshaft converts the linear motion of the piston into rotational motion, which is then transferred to the transmission and wheels to propel the motorcycle forward.
Royal Enfield engines typically use a simple and reliable overhead valve (OHV) or overhead camshaft (OHC) design. The OHV engines have the camshaft located in the engine block, operating the valves via pushrods and rocker arms. OHC engines have the camshaft mounted above the cylinder head, directly operating the valves.
It's important to note that Royal Enfield has produced various engine models over the years, so the specific details and configurations can vary. Different models may have different displacements, power outputs, and technology employed, but the general principles of a four-stroke internal combustion engine apply to Royal Enfield motorcycles as well.