PRiggs: Great information: When I commented on a 360degree configuration, I was referring to a parallel twin, as I have never seen a 2 stroke "boxer" - and agree a 180 crank would suit that!
Peter Twissell: I also remember a crank made up with direct lubrication and a host of seals.... - maybe something Yamaha were working on in the 70s with a view to "cleaner" 2-strokes achieving the California emission laws of that era? Having worked on cars' emissions since the late 1980s, more closely post 2000, I am sure that piston ported engines are too limited to meet current laws and have practical power bands, as they rely so much on the gas dynamics for their best (most efficient?) fueling, combustion, heat transfer and scavenging. However, there may be a means of varying the port timing to produce a cleaner 2-stroke of the appropriate size for motorcycles? But 4-strokes have taken a lead that is probably not commercially practical for anyone to try and achieve with 2-strokes. Money makes a lot of decisions!
Fortunately, we can make models outside of the road vehicles laws...
K