Yes, correct on the end float... and YES it sure would. Fingers crossed. I sure hope they modernize the bottom end since they finally grafted on that wonderfully "modern"
c1901 hemi-head tech.
Hmm. I don't know what's different about the "shim washer" method of adjusting crank end float vs producing different full-circle plain bearings of slightly different thicknesses to control end float like the big block motors do, or using end-float shims in so many different automotive and motorcycle engines with horizontally split cases and plain bearings. Can you enlighten me?
Power production is almost always much more a matter of cylinder head/piston/cam timing than anything to do with the bottom end. Longevity and reliability are generally the more crucial attributes that bottom end design manages: providing a solid and structurally sound foundation for the crank to spin in. Dump the single throttle body intake design for dual throttle bodies, straighten out the intake tract, develop a better power producing cam along with ports and pistons that shroud the valves less, etc etc etc ... I don't see why 80 hp would be that hard to achieve with an 850cc engine.
The big question that comes into my head when I hear a manufacturer claiming a horsepower number is "How are they measuring that? Or are they calculating it?"
For me this power question is mostly academic. As I become more and more comfortable tossing my V7III Racer about on a twisty road, I could see where I'd have some more options and maybe a bit more fun with a bit more mid-range oomph in the higher gears, but honestly without a good coverage fairing I have little real desire to run speeds that are substantially higher than it can achieve on cruise as is, and the acceleration up to 85 or so would be the major benefit. And it's not too shabby even stock. Perhaps an 820cc kit in it is in the cards but I'll likely wait until I have a few more thousands of miles, at least, on it before making such a large change. I'm actually more tempted by a full Öhlins front end ...
I'll know better next Summer after I complete a more lengthy 2000+ mile trip or two whether I need to develop it further or whether its as-delivered balance of power, comfort, and handling just works fine for me.