The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Helical Camshafts – Variable Valve Actuation with a Mechanical Twist

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Unless you're directly involved with engine design, it's hard to keep up with all of the creative methods engineers have used to integrate variable valve actuation into a standard internal combustion engine. In this day of computer controls, you would think mechanical methods would be losing ground, but I received a note from Danny Williams about the Williams Helical Camshaft … [Read more...]

Motorized Mountain Bike – Traveling Light

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Every time someone builds a motorcycle, the question of weight pops up. No matter how light you go, it's always too heavy for someone else. Well, how about 62 pounds? This home built mountain bike sports a 35cc engine plus: an 8 speed Shimano hub (Planetary Gearbox) in the back wheel that shifts the gears for pedaling and for the motor, has freewheeling for both engine … [Read more...]

Harley Davidson Considering Assembly Plant in India

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Harley Davidson is beginning the next logical step in the international motorcycle market place, announcing they're considering an assembly plant in India. Ever since they first began talking about sales in India, this was, to my mind, a foregone conclusion since tariffs in India double the price of imported bikes. Selling in India means making them there. The company would … [Read more...]

Harley Davidson Second Quarter Results Reveal Company is U.S. Market Share Leader of On-Road Motorcycles Among Young Adults

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Harley Davidson released their 2nd quarter 2010 results, their profits were $139.3 million, somewhat higher than expected. Before the usual sales and earnings info Harley inserted a few introductory comments, and something jumped out at me: Despite the decline in second-quarter retail motorcycle sales, we believe interest in the Harley-Davidson brand remains strong among … [Read more...]

Big Battery Electric Motorcycle Concept from Designer Paolo De Giusti

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The other day, I received a tip about an electric motorcycle concept from designer Paolo De Giusti and it's definitely one of the nicer electric concepts I've seen. Everyone seems to be turning out designs and there have been a couple of recent electric motorcycles introduced headed for production, but this design just looked right so I thought you might want to take a look. … [Read more...]