The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Stirling Engines and Vacuum Motors for a Trip Back in Time – UPDATED

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Some enthusiasts of the latest high technology, especially the younger ones among us, have never developed an appreciation for engines of the past, perhaps because they've never been exposed to them. Some of us, though, have long loved exposed rocker arms and flywheels and smile at the simplicity of stirling engines and vacuum motors and if you look around a bit, you'll find … [Read more...]

Harley Davidson Project LiveWire

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Perhaps the end times are nigh, Harley Davidson is building an electric motorcycle. Called Project LiveWire, it is being presented as sort of a beta test: ... select consumers across the country will be able to ride and provide feedback on the bike, helping to shape the future of Harley-Davidson’s first-ever electric motorcycle. Interesting. Several months ago, I … [Read more...]

Elio Motors Follow Up – Will They Fulfill the Promise?

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A little over a year ago, we looked at a new company in Louisiana called Elio Motors. They were promising to build a new, enclosed three wheeler with two tandem seats, capable of 84 mpg on the highway, meeting automotive crash standards at a price of $6800. I was a bit skeptical that it would accomplish all that, if it was ever built at all, but a few days ago I received an … [Read more...]

Tesla Motors Goes Open Source on All Electric Vehicle Patents

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Elon Musk, founder and CEO of Tesla Motors, opened up all of their patents for electric vehicle technology, removing them from display on their patent wall. Instead of protecting their intellectual property in court, he essentially said, "Here they are, go build electric vehicles." That's certainly not something you see every day and I doubt there's going to be any rush by … [Read more...]

CoAxe Opposed Piston Diesel Engine

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Opposed piston engines are getting to be the rage and this one, the CoAxe, from a company in Australia, looks like another interesting entry. It's initially being developed as a 100 horsepower unit for use in unmanned aerial vehicles. The unit is relatively small, lightweight and low maintenance. It's also extremely low vibration since all moving parts have their opposite … [Read more...]

Homebuilt Recumbent Motorcycle Racer Competes in MRA Sanctioned Event

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Recumbent motorcycles are nothing new, but most (all?) efforts are focused on street legal machines. Bob Horn, though, is proof there is at least one (feet) forward thinking builder, who has been working for the past half dozen years to design, build and test a recumbent racer. His persistence and dedication finally paid off when he recently lined up against conventional … [Read more...]