The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

MotoGP Technology

By

MotoGP is like Formula One, extremely expensive, high tech and secret. Everyone wants to know what the other guys are doing but unless you're part of the team, you only see the results on the track, the inner workings of the engine and chassis are kept under wraps. When the allowed engine displacements were reduced from 990cc to 800cc, we were given an unusual opportunity to … [Read more...]

What Happened to the Drysdale V8?

By

After mentioning the Morbidelli V12 and V8, I started thinking about one of the other compact V8 engines, the Drysdale V8. Ian Drysdale initially built the 90 degree engine with heads and cams from a Yamaha FZR400R for the 750cc version and from the Yamaha 600 Fazer for the 1000cc version. The engines and bikes were built but I haven't heard much since. Those were nice looking … [Read more...]

Morbidelli V12 in the Works

By

Giancarlo Morbidelli, who, you might remember, put a beautiful little V8 engine in a motorcycle, has been working on a very nice little V12. Evidently, this is a project that's been underway for several years but I was flipping through the November issue of Classic Bike and they have a really nice article with loads of photos about a visit to Morbidelli's museum, a rather … [Read more...]

Randakk’s Supercharger for Honda GL1000 / GL1100

By

Randall Washington of Randakk's Cycle Shakk has been working on a supercharger kit for the Honda GL1000 and GL1100. He has it on the road now so it should be available before long. The kits will all be custom fabricated when you order. The blower is a positive displacement, twin rotor "Roots type" supercharger that will output 6.0 psi max at redline. The target is a 25% … [Read more...]

Roehr Motorcycles Gets Financing to Begin Production

By

The 180 horsepower 1250cc supercharged version of the V-Roehr Superbike looks like it will be going ahead for 2008. Roehr announced today they've acquired a financial partner which will give them the necessary funding to complete development and begin production next year. The Harley Davidson Revolution powered sport bike looks very interesting and seeing this small U.S. … [Read more...]

Why Not Build Street Legal Custom Motorcycles?

By

When big name builders show off their new custom creations, you can usually bet some piece of required hardware for street legal operation will be missing, sometimes many pieces. Critics of the manufacturers say their new models don't look as good as what the aftermarket and custom builders turn out but that criticism is a bit unfair when the builders ignore things the … [Read more...]