The Kneeslider

Mark Walker’s Big Ned – the Rotary Valve 3 Liter V-Twin Street Fighter from Australia

by Paul Crowe on 3/11/2013

Big Ned, the 3000cc v-twin from Mark Walker of Australia

Mark Walker of Sydney, Australia has been building and racing motorcycles for many years, but after racing for over 30 years, he decided it was time to move on and instead of building to a set of rules, as racing required, he began building for himself and Big Ned, the fuel injected, 3000cc, rotary valve, 200 horsepower V-Twin was one of the first of several amazing engines and concept motorcycles he constructed just because.

Big Ned, the 3000cc v-twin from Mark Walker of Australia with the armored helmet front fairing

Everything about this engine and bike are big and bold and it grabs your attention immediately. The inspiration comes from the notorious bushranger Ned Kelly, who famously took on the police force of colonial Victoria, Australia, wearing home-made armour fashioned from pig-iron, that's the reason for the armored helmet looking fairing in the front.

Big Ned 3000cc aluminum V-Twin

Mark machined, formed and welded almost every part of this bike. He calls it a street fighter, but I'm not sure it fits into any category except its own. When I first saw the photos of the bike, I just stared at it, trying to comprehend what he'd done. It's not the least bit practical, but it is a statement of the ideas floating around in Mark's head, because, as a dyslexic, he struggles with reading and writing so he pretty much builds what he sees in his mind's eye.

Big Ned 3000cc aluminum V-Twin showing the clutch side

The 2 inch exhaust pipes lead to mufflers machined from fire extinguishers. There are big brass fittings to give it a steam punk look, but, mostly, it appears to be a motorcycle carved out of a big block of aluminum.

This motorcycle was completed a few years ago, but until I stumbled on to it while looking around for some V-Twin info, I had never seen or heard of it before. How does something this big and outrageous hide from view? I absolutely love it.

Link: onedaytech a friend of Mark's who has some great photos of Big Ned
Link: Mark Walker Concept Motorcycles

Big Ned and builder Mark Walker

Video below: [click here to continue …]

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Indian Reveals the Thunder Stroke 111 V-Twin

by Paul Crowe on 3/10/2013

in American Motorcycles, Engines

Indian Thunder Stroke 111 V-Twin

Indian Motorcycles has been teasing the introduction of their new engine for months and they've finally revealed their all new Thunder Stroke 111 V-Twin. Although it's a brand new engine, they drew heavily from classic Indian engine designs. The 49 degree, 111 cubic inch V-Twin has 3 cams, parallel pushrods and down firing exhausts. The intake is on the left. It's unit construction providing direct drive between the crankshaft and clutch. The 6 speed overdrive transmission handles the 115+ foot pounds of torque.

Indian Thunder Stroke 111 V-Twin

If you look at the Thunder Stroke and compare it to an original, it's obvious how much they wanted to bring the design forward, right down to the cooling fins, which leads me to believe the motorcycle it's destined for will follow the same idea.

Polaris looks like they're doing it right so far, this is a good looking engine. It will be interesting to see what the whole package looks like.

Link: Indian Motorcycles

Internal animation video below: [click here to continue …]

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California Fines Suzuki – Tells Motorcycle Owners Hands Off Your Engine

by Paul Crowe on 3/9/2013

in Motorcycle Technology

California doesn't want motorcycle owners messing with their engines and if the manufacturer makes it possible to do so through the use of an aftermarket tuner, then they'll fine the manufacturer for allowing that to happen.

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) today announced that American Suzuki Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan have agreed to a settlement of $3,020,000 to resolve violations of the California Health and Safety Code related to off-highway motorcycles equipped with dual calibrated emissions systems.

Dual calibrations within the emission control system allow motorcycle owners to purchase low-cost aftermarket devices that provide access to alternative engine control programming. This allows greater vehicle performance but also significantly increases smog-forming emissions. Such systems are prohibited by California law if they are undisclosed to ARB prior to the vehicles' approval for sale and if they are easily accessible by the vehicle owner.

As a strong advocate of the "hands on" movement to build, modify, fix and repair as necessary, I am happy I'm not living in California. How do you California residents put up with this stuff? [click here to continue …]

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