The Kneeslider

Kawasaki KR-1S with Suzuki SV650 Power

by Paul Crowe on 6/14/2013

Kawasaki KR-1S with Suzuki SV650 power by Jan Merckx

The KR-1S before surgery

Jan Merckx had a little Kawasaki KR-1S 250 two stroke, nice bike, does everything right, but he really needed something with a bit more grunt, problem was, he liked the little bike, buying something big and heavy just didn't seem right. Sounds like time for an engine swap, and after considering his options, he settled on the Suzuki SV650, a four stroke V-Twin, narrow enough to squeeze in between the rails, but of course, there's a little matter of that rear cylinder. Not to worry, Jan's a persistent fellow, and frames can be modified, so the project began.

Kawasaki KR-1S with Suzuki SV650 power by Jan Merckx

Jan began fitting the engine with the aid of an old broken frame he had on hand, it fit, sure enough, but that rear cylinder meant the rear suspension was going to have to be completely redesigned, something to do with basic physics and objects trying to occupy the same space at the same time.

After all of the usual cutting, welding, milling and miscellaneous metal bending operations you would expect in a project like this, plus seven years of effort and a whole lot of dedication, Jan had his bike. There's a build thread on the KR-1S forum over in the UK and well worth a look. I won't even try to pick and choose among the build photos to show you in progress shots, there's a lot of them, so head over and see for yourself.

These projects are always great to see, a bike, an idea and a whole lot of persistence bring about something you can't buy anywhere and Jan can be justifiably proud of his work. Nice job!

Link: Kr-1S forum

The SV650 V-Twin almost looks like it belongs there

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LiveMap Motorcycle Helmet Heads Up Display Prototype From Russia

by Paul Crowe on 6/14/2013

in Motorcycle Safety

LiveMap helmet with heads up display

Heads up displays have been talked about for years, they seem to come and go, just like the companies that keep trying to build them. If someone could get it right, they would probably have a pretty good market and that's what this group of Russians is trying to do with LiveMap.

LiveMap basic minimum display for riding at normal speed

LiveMap will be sold as a complete system built into a carbon fiber helmet, no add ons attached after the fact. It will have GPS, voice activation, two earphones, gyroscope, digital compass and G-sensor, all inside the helmet. The information will be projected into a small image directly on the visor and it will adjust depending on where your head is pointed thanks to the compass.

A sensor will dim or brighten the display depending on ambient light. The display itself will have the minimum, but essential information in view, but when you are stopped or just moving, an overlay map can show greater detail. The batteries are said to last for the entire day and you can recharge through a USB cable.

Livemap display with overlay map, only viewable at near zero speed

Like many companies, they are crowdfundng the development, but unlike some campaigns you may have seen, this one has already made a lot of progress. They've received some grants and funding, but not enough to take it to a production stage.

Because voice recognition software is most highly developed for the English language, LiveMap will be introduced first in the US and some other English speaking countries.

The video below tells the story with a look at the people involved and you can see what they've built so far. I'm actually surprised some major helmet manufacturer hasn't done this already, the technology seems to be there, it's really a matter of bringing it all together, not a simple task, but manageable for the right team.

Maybe LiveMap will do it first with a system that really works, many others have certainly tried, someone will eventually get it right. Check it out.

Link: LiveMap

Video below:

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Suzuki DR650 Street Tracker by CR Designs

by Paul Crowe on 6/6/2013

in Motorcycle Builders

Suzuki DR650 street tracker

DR650 before

This isn't the first time we've seen someone start with an off road bike and take it to the streets, but this street tracker is very nicely done. The before was a ~~1992~~ Suzuki DR650 that needed a little engine work and new exhaust system, the former owner had "modified it," but otherwise in good shape.

Suzuki DR650 street tracker

He lowered the suspension, installed flat track bars, mounted a new XR750 style tank and seat, fabricated a new dual megaphone exhaust, new wheels and brakes plus did a lot of detail work then finished it off in Corvette yellow which is pretty close to Suzuki competition colors.

The finished bike looks nice and light and very well done.

Thanks for the tip, Roy!

Link: Thumper Talk

Suzuki DR650 street tracker

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