The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Touring Japan on a 1950 Nimbus 4 Cylinder Bobber

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The Kneeslider has quite a few regular readers and commenters with interesting stories of their own involving the motorcycles they ride. I noticed, Kim Scholer, of Denmark, who stops by frequently, has a nice article in the June 2009 issue of Britain's Classic Bike magazine that tells the story of his 8 week tour of Japan, on his 1950 Nimbus 4 cylinder bobber. I thought some of … [Read more...]

Brough Superior Debut Set for Pebble Beach

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You may remember, a couple of years ago, I wrote about Cameron Racing Engines, a British firm rebuilding old J.A. Prestwich engines. At the same time, we found a new firm in the process of restarting the Brough Superior marque, building brand new JAP powered motorcycles with the Brough Superior name. I'd forgotten about the startup company until I was looking over a brochure … [Read more...]

Motorcycle Anti Lock Brakes May Become Mandatory

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A report from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) discussing upcoming safety features for cars, also says the agency will decide by next year whether or not to make ABS a required feature on new motorcycles. According to the Detroit News: An insurance institute study showed that the rate of fatal crashes was 28 percent lower for motorcycles equipped … [Read more...]

Peraves Ecomobile, Monotracer, E-Tracer and X-Tracer Cabin Motorcycles

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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 the mental leap … [Read more...]

Royal Enfield Bullet Sport Concept

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Now that Royal Enfield has a new engine for their new Bullet, Oberdan Bezzi thought, why not work up a sport version? Although Royal Enfield has long had a cafe racer kit to spiff up their old Bullet, the 500cc thumper was never what most of us would call a sporty engine, simple and reliable, perhaps, but sporty? The new engine is quite an improvement but this design might … [Read more...]

Peraves SuperBallMotor – Rotating Sphere 4 Stroke Engine

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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. The rotating motion of the sphere causes … [Read more...]