Cabin motorcycles, the nomenclature for fully enclosed 2 wheelers, are an interesting vehicle concept that, no matter their function or rationale, have to overcome a lot of resistance from both drivers and motorcyclists. Peraves, makers of the Ecomobile, Monotracer and the soon to be unveiled E-Tracer electric and X-Tracer X-Prize competitor, are well aware of [...]
From the category archives:
Alternative thinking
Here’s a 4 stroke engine concept you have to see to understand, the Peraves Superballmotor uses a multipart sphere to replace the usual crankshaft, rods and pistons of a normal internal combustion engine.
The moving parts of the sphere have ceramic balls on their exterior which travel in grooves in the case surrounding the sphere. [...]
Charles Taylor built a one wheel gyro stabilized vehicle and it worked. It was functional, not flashy, but the guy actually built it and the videos show how it evolved over the years. Just after writing that article the other day I came across a short piece in a 1958 issue of Science and Mechanics [...]
Jesse James is a Dead Man, or so the new series says. This week Jesse is taking a trip where most of us would take a pass, he’s riding the Arctic Ice Road from Inuvik to Aklavik, Alaska NWT, Canada, … on a motorcycle, a BMW R 1200GS. OK, the heated handgrips are nice but [...]
Got a note the other day pointing to a website about Charles F. Taylor and his efforts to build a one wheel vehicle. When you think one wheel, you probably picture monowheels, where the operator sits inside the wheel, but Taylor was on a different path altogether, his wheel was centered within a platform that [...]
The first time we wrote about Robert Maddox was when he had a pulsejet bicycle for sale on eBay. It was a pretty interesting bit of work, a bit unusual, perhaps, but, everyone needs a hobby. It looks like Mr Maddox is very committed to this particular pastime because he keeps building bigger and [...]
Do you like working with your hands? I bet quite a few of you do but you might be surprised to find not everyone understands the attraction. There’s a growing resurgence in respect for this type of work, for the value it delivers, the feeling of pride among those who practice it and, not a [...]
Ever wonder why bicycles never jumped on the belt drive idea? If they’re strong enough for a Harley or a Buell, they should work on a bicycle. Trek thought so, too, and they’ve introduced the Trek Soho.
Gates Technology, same company that makes the belts for Harley Davidson, makes the belt for the bike. The Soho [...]
