Topic: Cylinder question

[WiredForStereo]

Here's a question about engine design for anyone knowing about that.
Often on inline four bikes, the cylinders lean forward, but on my cb650, the cylinders are vertical, the engines in both my Toyota's are vertical.  BMW's, Goldwings and Valkyrie's have horizontal cylinders.  No cylinders that I know of have cylinders that lean backwards except the back halves of v-twins and honda v-4's.
What's the deal?  What difference does it make which way they lean?  Why do they lean?  What about horizontal?  I know boxer engines have better balance, but what about oiling?  Does any of it really make a difference?
Thanks
Sol

[Magpie]

It looks fast. 

[crazypj]

motorcyclists are an extremly conservative bunch and really dont like things out of the ordinary ( no matter what you think you think) We all have at least 29yr old motorcycles for instance. (and why Hardleyableson, can sell what is basically a 1930's design) A rearward tilted cylinder with watercooling is not only feasable but would (if designed correctly) result in a more compact engine/transmission with very straight intake and exhaust ports (on a fourstroke) would look pretty weird though compared to conventional design ( I penciled one out several years ago after getting into a discussion about the 'new' FZR1000 Genesis. Could make a cool single cyl MX bike, cylinder almost directly above the transmission.
PJ

[oldbiker]

The slope originated as a means of getting a tall engine into a frame without making a bike which looked like a camel.