The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Harley Davidson Sales Down – Lower Production and Job Cuts Planned

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The fourth quarter numbers are in and the economic troubles causing adjustments at all motorcycle manufacturers have hit Harley Davidson, as well. Harley Davidson fourth quarter net income dropped 58 percent. Worldwide retail sales of Harley's motorcycles fell 13.1 percent, including a 19.6 percent drop in the United States. In response, Harley plans to cut 1100 jobs and … [Read more...]

V8 Motorcycles from Sweden

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When you hear of someone building a V8 motorcycle, you might think of Boss Hoss and the somewhat over sized bikes they produce. There are some really nice V8s built from a pair of inline 4 motorcycle engines, like the Drysdale V8, but Rolf Andersson of Sweden thought he would try to build something a bit more normal sized while still using an automotive V8. Using a Rover V8 … [Read more...]

Blank Canvas Motorcycles

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After seeing some of the comments about the recently introduced Honda Fury, I can appreciate Honda's thinking and the same goes for the 2010 Triumph Thunderbird. Both of these bikes are simply a blank canvas for whatever the owner wants to create. Both are complete and finished on the dealer floor but, as offered, very plain. Though Harley Davidson has always promoted the sale … [Read more...]

Wooden Vespa Scooter

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Maybe you're not a metal bender and your welding skills are not the best, don't despair, there's always wood. Portuguese carpenter Carlos Alberto remade a Vespa with an absolutely beautiful laminated wooden body. Not much to say other than, Wow! Very nice. Link: Carpinteria Carlos Alberto via Jalopnik More photos below: … [Read more...]

400 MPH Motorcycle Tire in Development

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In the current motorcycle land speed record wars, the contestants have accomplished some amazing things, now running over 360 mph on the salt. However, going faster isn't simply a matter of more horsepower, you have to make sure every part of your machine is up to the task and at current speeds, the streamliners have outrun the design specs of the tires they're using. Think of … [Read more...]

Chinese Motorcycle Design Curiosities

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Some examples of Chinese motorcycle design are inspiring. Take this example for instance, maybe it's just me but this HBMoto "250 Sport Cruiser" looks like it was "inspired" by the Storz XR1200. Just a coincidence I suppose. Of course, no one is going to mistake this 250 for a 1200 but c'mon. Tom wrote in to point this out and said: HiBird is one of China's second tier … [Read more...]