Motorcycle Glossary of Terms

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V5 - Vehicle Registration Document.

V10 - Vehicle Relicensing form

V11 - Vehicle Relicensing reminder and application form

V55 - First Registration and vehicle licensing form

Vacuum gauges - Clock-type guages for measuring intake tract vacuum. Used for carburettor synchronisation on multi-cylinder engines.

Valve - A device through which the flow of liquid, gas or vacuum may be stopped, started or regulated by a moveable part that opens, shuts or partially obstructs one or more ports or passageways. The intake and exhaust valves in the cylinder head are of the poppet type.

Valve clearance - The clearance netween the valve tip (the end of the valve stem) and the rocker arm or tappet/follower. The valve clearance is measured when the valve is closed. The correct clearance is important - if too small the valve won't close fully and will burn out, whereas if too large noisy operation will resullt.

Valve lift - The amount a valve is lifted off its seat by the camshaft lobe.

Valve timing - The exact setting for the opening and closing of the valves in relation to piston position.

Vernier caliper - A precision measuring instrument that measures inside and outside dimensions. Not quite as accurate as a micrometer,but more convenient.

VIN - Vehicle Identification Number. Term for the vehicle's engine and frame numbers.

Vinnie - Common term for a Vincet motorcycle.

Viscosity - The thinkness of a liquid or its resistence to flow.

Volt - A unit for expressing electrical pressure in a circuit. Volts = current x ohms.

VOSA - Vehicle & Operator Services Agency

VRO - Vehicle Registration Office

V-Twin - Two-cylinder engine layout in which the cylinders for a 'V' shape.