The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Motus Motorcycles V4 – the First GDI (gasoline direct injection) Motorcycle Engine

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Motus' new V4 is going to be quite the engine and anyone wondering if Made in the USA means anything anymore, you might consider, as Brian Case told me, this V4 is: the first V4 made in America for a production vehicle, the first gDI production motorcycle engine, and even the first gDI V4 for that matter. GDI (gasoline direct injection) shoots gasoline directly into the … [Read more...]

Royal Enfield Musket 1000cc – The Musket V-Twin Gets Bigger Guns and Plans for Production

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Aniket Vardhan just told me the Musket V-Twin is bringing bigger guns to the fight. Since Royal Enfield only offers the 500cc Bullet in the U.S., the Musket will be moving up to 1000cc. The crankcase design will be modified to accept the 500cc barrels found here which also means you'll be able to use whatever performance parts are available, that's right, YOU, because Aniket's … [Read more...]

EcoMotors OPOC Two Stroke Engines – Opposed Piston Opposed Cylinder

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Two stroke engines are favorites of everyone who wants a really compact engine with lots of power, there are fewer parts and power delivery on every stroke. Of course, the blue haze from the exhaust didn't sit well with the enviro-police so they've pretty much disappeared from use in transportation, but, they are slipping back with new technology applied to the new … [Read more...]

Moto Guzzi 500cc V8 Racer – Otto Cilindri

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One of the fascinating, but lesser known, vintage motorcycle engines is the Moto Guzzi 500cc V8, built for racing from 1955 to 1957. It was a 90 degree DOHC with 8 individual Dell'Orto carburetors. In 1955, it produced 68 hp at 12,000 rpm and in its final configuration in 1957, put out 72 hp at 12 grand and probably sounded wonderful while doing so. Interestingly, it began with … [Read more...]

BMW Concept 6 – 1600cc Inline 6 Cylinder Engine

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BMW joins the ranks of companies that have offered an inline 6 by installing one in the Concept 6, a design exercise unveiled at EICMA. Though BMW has a long history of inline sixes in their cars, dropping one in a bike is a bit more work if you're interested in keeping the weight and size down to manageable levels. Hollow-bore camshafts and very light connecting rods plus … [Read more...]

Plastic Engines – We Have the Technology – Is Anyone Interested?

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Losing weight isn't just a perennial goal of human beings, it's the holy grail of motorcycle design, at least in terms of performance. If you want a motorcycle to accelerate quicker, stop faster, get better mileage or perform better in almost any area, just reduce the weight. Plastics have long been used for many reasons in vehicle design and weight reduction is certainly among … [Read more...]