The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Radial Engine Powered Motorcycle

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One of our readers sent us this photo of a motorcycle powered by a 7 cylinder radial engine! We have no details of where this is from or who built it. If any of you have seen this or know more about it, please let us know. Several motorcycle builders, including Confederate, say they are using a radial engine when what they have is simply a two cylinder slice. This bike uses the … [Read more...]

Storz XR1200 Conversion Kit

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In our search for accessible high performance, here's another possible direction. Harley Davidson's Sportster isn't a performance machine, even though in the earlier years some thought it was. The Sportster plays the role of entry level Harley, a way to get a genuine HD nameplate without the price of admission required by a Softail or V-Rod or one of their other models. It's … [Read more...]

Dnepr Motorcycles – The Other Russian

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After our post on Ural motorcycles the other day the question arises, what's a Dnepr? I confess my knowledge here is pretty limited so if any Ural/Dnepr enthusiasts care to fill in or correct this post, jump right in. Dnepr motorcycles seem to have a common heritage with the Ural, based on the BMW R71. But the information I found is a bit scarce and sometimes conflicting. As … [Read more...]

E.J. Potter – Michigan Madman

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We've mentioned EJ Potter before, known as the Michigan Madman and probably best known as the fellow who made exhibition runs during the '60s at dragstrips all over the U.S. and overseas, on his homebuilt "Widow Maker" Chevy V8 powered motorcycles. We just finished reading his book, "EJ Potter, Michigan Madman," and found those motorcycles were only one part of his unique … [Read more...]

The Methanol Economy

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There's so much talk about moving toward a hydrogen economy, the presumed future of transportation being the hydrogen fuel cell, it's easy to overlook some of the other very real possibilities. Methanol, another form of alcohol, looks very promising. A new book, Beyond Oil and Gas: The Methanol Economy, highlights the advantages and benefits of methanol. A lot of you already … [Read more...]