The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Build Your Own Foundry

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Those gorgeous wooden casting patterns Aniket made for the upcoming 1000cc Musket really bring back memories from the past. Way back in time, 1970 to be exact, I spent a few weeks in the summer, working in a brass foundry, that was about all of the time I was willing to devote to getting covered in black sand every day, but it was a fascinating place. You could see the entire … [Read more...]

Pattern Making as Engineering Art – The Musket V-Twin

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An email from Aniket Vardhan arrived a few days ago with an update on the Musket. Attached were photos of the just finished casting patterns for the cases of the big twin version of his Royal Enfield Musket V-Twin. His first Musket, based on the 350cc single generated a huge response from around the world, but it wasn't long before everyone began asking about a twin based on … [Read more...]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from The Kneeslider

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2011 is about to get the checkered flag and we need some down time and a fill up. As I do every year, I'll be taking a break from regular writing, and unless something comes up that demands attention, we'll be resuming normal updates on January 2nd. I will be working on some technical issues on the web site, and since many of you are off doing other things yourself, it's a … [Read more...]

Raven MotoCycles – Hand Built Specials with Moto Guzzi Power

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Here's another custom build that has been flying under the radar, Raven MotoCycles and yes, this one is on eBay, or rather, the opportunity to own the first production model from the company. The specific bike you see here is the very first prototype of a brand new special, powered, in this case, by a Moto Guzzi 750cc engine from a 1971 Ambassador. The wheels, swingarm, brakes, … [Read more...]

2011 Roundup – Significant Events in the Motorcycle Business This Year

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Among the stories of 2011, there were a few events in the motorcycle business I thought were significant. Will these continue to be big news in the future? Motus MST first showing at Pratt and Miller Engineering Introduction of the Motus MST This past March, Motus introduced the MST and MST-R, the all new, from the ground up, American made "comfortable sport … [Read more...]

Learn About Life and Modify Your Brain by Working with Your Hands

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Your toolbox filled with wrenches and screwdrivers, if regularly used, can make you a better thinker. Manipulating mechanical objects, turning them around, fitting pieces together and watching the parts move, will exercise and expand your brain in ways your non-mechanical friends can't imagine because it anchors you to the real world, where things either work or they don't, … [Read more...]