Offset cylinder head covers?

[yrunvs]

So I'm cruising down the road and I glance down and for the first time I notice that the cylinder head covers are not asymmetrical, that is to say the right side sits farther forward then the left side (or at least appears to). I measured  from the rear of my right cylinder head to the right foot peg then I took the same measurement on the left side and there is at least one inch difference, the right having more distance. The left and right cylinder head covers measure the same size and everything appears square and nothing looks cocked. The timing belt housing is thicker on the left side than the right side but still?. Is my engine in the frame wrong? is there an explanation for this? or am I just stupid?  

[Doug B.]

You need the offset to accommodate the connection of multiple connecting rods to a single crank.

[pancho]

That is the way it is supposed to be, the rods from one bank need to set in front of the rods from the other on the crankshaft, so a bit of axial offset from one side to the other.

Don't freak out.

[yrunvs]

I'm surprised I never noticed this before.

[..]

It still makes me a bit cross eyed when looking at the engine from the seat or from the front to see the difference in protrusion each side.

[Bagger John - #3785]

...the cylinder head covers are not asymmetrical, that is to say the right side sits farther forward then the left side (or at least appears to). I

If they're offset relative to each other, they are in fact "asymmetrical". 

[pancho]

I'm surprised I never noticed this before.

I'm not..... you probably have many going out looking at their Valks right now.

[RonW]

The timing belt cover is also offset to match the Left cylinder bank offset. Like yrunvs stated about 1-inch.

[Mooskee]

https://images.app.goo.gl/Ug71VDkngrgLGXcV7

Here is a diagram showing the connecting rod connections to the crank shaft. The opposing rods and thus the pistons  have to be offset to connect to the crank shaft. Since the pistons are offset, the piston heads are offset, and the head covers are offset.

Ride safe.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I never really noticed it until adjusting my highway pegs years ago. I adjusted the the angles to match each other and found one was a longer stretch than the other.

[yrunvs]

I never really noticed it until adjusting my highway pegs years ago. I adjusted the the angles to match each other and found one was a longer stretch than the other.

Actually that is what got my curiosity up. I was trying to figure out why my highway pegs felt different  side from side.

[CoreyP]

I never really noticed it until adjusting my highway pegs years ago. I adjusted the the angles to match each other and found one was a longer stretch than the other.

Same here. I was like, what is going on here they aren't the same. Took a little while to figure it out.

[Valker]

If you REALLY want to see offset, look at a BMW opposed twin ("R"  bike). The cylinders are way offset as well as the footpegs. Almost no one notices that either.

[h13man]

I measured from the engine guards for placement for the pegs but just didn't care for them being in the way if a drop were to happen and  the valve covers being the recipient of the the pegs folding into them.

[Bagger John - #3785]

If you REALLY want to see offset, look at a BMW opposed twin ("R"  bike). The cylinders are way offset as well as the footpegs. Almost no one notices that either.

Primarily marketed to ridge runners, who will understand the joke. 

[WintrSol]

If you REALLY want to see offset, look at a BMW opposed twin ("R"  bike). The cylinders are way offset as well as the footpegs. Almost no one notices that either.

Primarily marketed to ridge runners, who will understand the joke. 

Especially after a jug of that Kickapoo Joy Juice.