2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance First in Class Winner
Introduced in 1952, the E95 was a much-redesigned version of the E90 horizontal twin, which was known as the Porcupine due to the spiky finning on the cylinder head. The original design was drawn pre-WWII when supercharging was legal. When racing resumed in the 40s, supercharging was banned and the Porcupine was uncompetitive. With the redesign, cylinders were given a 45° angle to shorten the wheelbase to improve handling. While fast, the machines were not reliable, and in 1954 were abandoned in favor of the G45 twin, a race version of the G9 street bike.
Specifications
- Engine: 498cc air-cooled DOHC parallel twin with cylinders at 45 degrees, 68mm x 68.5mm bore and stroke, 9:1 compression ratio, 54hp @ 7,800rpm (est.)
- Top Speed: 143mph (Isle of Man, 1964)
- Carburetion: Two 1-1/8-inch Amal GP
- Transmission: 4-speed, right foot shift, chain final drive
- Electrics: Lucas magneto ignition
- Frame/Wheelbase: Dual-downtube steel cradle/56.5in (1,435mm)
- Suspension: AMC Teledraulic telescopic forks front, dual AMC Jampot shocks rear
- Brakes: 8in (203mm) TLS drum front, 8in (203mm) SLS drum rear
- Tires: 3 x 19in front, 3.50 x 19in rear
- Weight (dry): 335lb (152kg)
- Seat Height: 28in (711mm)
- Fuel Capacity: 6.5gal (19ltr)