The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Studebaker Astral – One Wheel Atomic Concept Car

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Charles Taylor built a one wheel gyro stabilized vehicle and it worked. It was functional, not flashy, but the guy actually built it and the videos show how it evolved over the years. Just after writing that article the other day I came across a short piece in a 1958 issue of Science and Mechanics that mentioned the Studebaker Astral. It, too, had one central wheel with gyro … [Read more...]

Jesse James Takes on the Ice Road on a BMW R 1200GS – A Really Cool Ride

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Jesse James is a Dead Man, or so the new series says. This week Jesse is taking a trip where most of us would take a pass, he's riding the Arctic Ice Road from Inuvik to Aklavik, Alaska NWT, Canada, ... on a motorcycle, a BMW R 1200GS. OK, the heated handgrips are nice but the metal studs in the tires are essential for this trip. You know, the bike looks pretty slick, right … [Read more...]

Falcon Motorcycles – Redesigned British Classics

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What is a custom motorcycle? Is it a 300 rear tire, a big V-Twin with loads of chrome and paint as loud as the pipes or is it more than that, ... or less? Ian Barry, of Falcon Motorcycles, builds one of a kind, redesigned British classics. Beginning with salvaged frames and engines, everything is rebuilt, redesigned and doesn't fit into anyone's preconceived idea, just high … [Read more...]

Brammo Enertia on Fox Business News – Racer Top Speed 90 to 95mph

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Just caught a short spot on Fox Business with Craig Bramscher, CEO/Chairman of Brammo, manufacturer of the Enertia electric motorcycle. At the end of the interview, Craig was asked about the speed of the Enertia, which is listed as 50 mph for the street bike, but he went on to say that the racer, currently on the Isle of Man for the TTXGP, has a top speed of 90 to 95 mph. … [Read more...]

Mission One TTXGP Racer in Race Colors

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The Mission One electric TTXGP race bike was unveiled in full race colors yesterday. One more for the lineup. Everyone has been keeping the final look of their respective bikes under wraps but they're all showing up now. The Mission One racer looks pretty good and quite a bit different than the images of the tentative production street version. Link: TTXGP … [Read more...]

Charles Taylor’s One Wheel Vehicles

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Got a note the other day pointing to a website about Charles F. Taylor and his efforts to build a one wheel vehicle. When you think one wheel, you probably picture monowheels, where the operator sits inside the wheel, but Taylor was on a different path altogether, his wheel was centered within a platform that carried the driver, engine, steering and everything else. It isn't … [Read more...]