The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Iconic Design on Two Wheels – What is the Motorcycle Equivalent to the AC Cobra?

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Is there a motorcycle equivalent to the AC Cobra? Is there a motorcycle that has that unique combination of appearance and performance that it appeals to almost any enthusiast? It's hard to think of one. In the automotive world, no matter the enthusiast's particular interest, many car guys, if not all, will find an attraction to the AC Cobra as one of those rare occurrences … [Read more...]

Motorcycle Crash Tech on National Geographic

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This looks interesting, Dylan Weiss, who put together the Twist the Throttle series, has another show, Motorcycle Crash Tech, that will premiere tomorrow, September 17th, 2009 on The National Geographic Channel at 9PM eastern time. It shows how motorcycle racing has made riding safer in the last 10 or 15 years with advances like high tech riding suits and slipper clutches. Neil … [Read more...]

Mission Motors Sets Bonneville Electric Speed Record at 150.059 mph with Production Prototype

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Mission Motors went to the BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials at Bonneville with their Mission One production prototype, not a specially prepared salt flats racer, and set a speed record with an average speed of 150.059 mph. They also had a number of individual passes at 161 mph. That's a street legal electric motorcycle. Not bad. I was reading through the press release below and … [Read more...]

Honda V4 Engine with Unequal Cylinder Spacing and Cylinder Deactivation

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If Honda's dual clutch, which will debut on the new VFR, got your attention, how about a V4 with unequal front and rear cylinder spacing plus cylinder deactivation? These Honda patent drawings show the layout of their new engine with the front cylinders widely spaced and the rear closer together. The connecting rods are mounted to the crankshaft with the rear cylinders both … [Read more...]

2010 Yamaha YZ450F Turns Cylinder Around – Air Travels Straight Through

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A common question is why motorcycle engines aren't arranged with the air intakes in the front and the exhaust in the back. Reasons given for the usual arrangement are many but Yamaha evidently thought the straight thru approach might make sense so their new YZF450F makes this "revolutionary advancement" by turning the cylinder around, slanting it to the rear and just like that, … [Read more...]