• Articles
  • Motorcycles for Sale
  • Motorcycle Parts
  • Motorcycle Manuals
  • Models
  • Collectibles
  • Contact

The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Radial Engine Motorcycle at Oshkosh

By Paul Crowe

Radial engine powered motorcycle by JRL Cycles

When we last looked at the radial engine powered motorcycle by JRL Cycles, it was a bit short of finished. JRL mounted their engine longitudinally instead of transverse as Jesse James did. It looked interesting then but it’s always nice to see the finished bike.

Chris Beytes of South Elgin, IL., one of The Kneeslider’s readers, was up at the EAA fly in at Oshkosh, Wisconsin and almost ready to leave last Friday when he came across the bike. He snapped these photos and tried to get the guys from Rotec to fire it up but they are saving that for Sturgis. After looking it over, Chris says it appears to be very well engineered. I think they might have done well to add heat shields on those exhausts, either that or you wear some sort of asbestos leg protection. And how about that open belt on the left? Ouch! Looks nice, though.

Thanks for the photos, Chris!

The Kneeslider: Radial Engine Motorcycle by JRL Cycles
The Kneeslider: Radial Engine Motorcycle #2

Another photo below:

Radial engine powered motorcycle by JRL Cycles

Photo credits: Chris Beytes of South Elgin, IL.

Posted on August 3, 2006 Filed Under: Engines, Motorcycle Builders, Motorcycle Design


-- Subscribe to The Kneeslider --

Be the first to know when something’s new!


Be sure to check out The Kneeslider’s motorcycle collectibles listings.


« Tony Foale Motorcycle Seminar Review
Monterey Classic Bike Auction Wrap Up »

Comments

  1. bob says

    August 3, 2006 at 6:42 pm

    The bike is not yet a runner. I was at Airventure also & saw the bike & talked to the guys who built it. It still needs an oil sump & scavenge pump, some electrical work, the brakes hooked up & other work to be a runner. They also plan to put some sort of belt cover on the primary belt. It is definitely cool looking & I can’t wait to see it run & I don’t doubt they plan to run it at Sturgis, but they couldn’t have run it at Oshkosh if they wanted to.

  2. coho says

    August 3, 2006 at 10:12 pm

    This goes for any and all of the current crop of radial-engined bikes (I’ve seen a couple of others recently, in addition to this one and the JJ one)… If the engine doesn’t spin in the frame, it’s not finished yet.

  3. todd says

    August 4, 2006 at 10:59 am

    I think it makes the rear wheel look too small in diameter.
    -todd

  4. Nate says

    August 7, 2006 at 8:00 pm

    If I may nitpick, that pictured bike has the engine mounted transverse, not longitudinal. That term is supposed to describe how the crankshaft is oriented in relation to the rest of the bike. Jesse James’ one with the cylinders sticking up and out the sides, has a longitudinal crankshaft.

  5. kneeslider says

    August 7, 2006 at 8:32 pm

    When you stop to think about it, you make a good point. Thanks, Nate.

  6. John says

    September 18, 2006 at 6:17 pm

    The bike rides great! We did cover the primary belt and the exhaust isn’t has bad as i thought it was going to be. idling in 1st equals about 30mph and we haven’t been able to use 6th gear yet. We are in the process of taking the web-site over ourselves so hopefully updates will be quicker and we will have some video soon.
    thanks
    John

Subscribe to The Kneeslider

Be the first to know when something's new!

Search articles on The Kneeslider


Do You need motorcycle parts?

Everything from normal maintenance items to hard to find out of production parts, look here first.
Be very specific for best results! Use part numbers if you have them.


Be sure to check out The Kneeslider’s new motorcycle manuals and literature listings.


From The Kneeslider Archives

Buell super moto by TPJ Customs

Buell Super Moto by TPJ Customs

H16 engine by Andreas Georgeades from 4 YZF600 engine top ends

16 Cylinder H16 Engine to Power New Motorcycle Under Construction by Andreas Georgeades

RSS What’s happening on HorsePowerSports

  • DeLorean Motor Company is Coming Back with an Electric
  • Ford Shares Open Source CAD Files for 3D Printing Truck Accessories
  • If You Need a New Car, Buy an Old One Instead

Motorcycle Engine Powered Cars

Copyright © 2023 · The Kneeslider · Website by Crowe Computer Services
US Army veteran owned and operated
This website proudly Made in the USA!
Made in the USA