The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

They Don’t Build Motorcycles Like They Used To

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Do the best current motorcycles live up to the standards of old? Is a Honda or Harley in the dealer today, anything like those from years past? 20 years ago, the Edge Foundation gathered a group of thinkers and doers from a great many fields and each year asks a question of the assembled minds. The most recent question was “What have you changed your mind about?” As I … [Read more...]

MotoGP Technology

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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...]

Harley Davidson Dynamic Exhaust System Patent

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Harley Davidson is developing a dynamic exhaust system design that redirects exhaust gases depending on engine RPM and throttle opening. The exhaust system has 2 paths for the exhaust with a cable operated valve directed by a control unit sensing engine speed and throttle opening. The valve operates to control the torque curve of the engine by moving the valve in the … [Read more...]

Suzuki Crosscage Photos from Tokyo

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The Suzuki Crosscage was one of the more distant concept motorcycles on display at the Tokyo Motor Show. Powered by a fuel cell it is unlikely to see production in the near future but one never knows. It appears to have an electric motor at the rear wheel with the usual engine space taken up by the fuel cell. This does look a lot better than the ENV hydrogen motorcycle … [Read more...]

2008 Bimota Tesi 3D Fresh off the Boat

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The Italian Bimota is a brand of motorcycles that are out of reach for most of us. This, of course, makes them highly desirable for most of us. Getting a first look at the all-new ’08 Tesi 3D at the Barber Museum on Friday was definitely the highlight of my week. Every now and then I happen to be there at the right time, and get a glimpse of something spectacular. Two … [Read more...]

36 Million Motorcycles from China and India by 2010

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By 2010, China and India will produce a combined total of 36 million motorcycles per year. Let me repeat that, ... 36 MILLION motorcycles PER YEAR! That number was buried in a news item this morning about a new microcontroller chip for motorcycle engine management systems. These chips precisely control the fuel/air mixture, ignition and who knows what else to keep the engine … [Read more...]