Just noticed what seemed like a familiar profile on an eBay offering and sure enough, it was a Kawabusa, but this time it's the Kawabusa 3 Turbo Edition. Norm Wilding built two previous versions, the original Kawabusa and Kawabusa 2, while this continues the obvious model numbering sequence at Kawabusa 3, but he added a turbo. The original Kawabusa and number two as … [Read more...]
Bistella 500, a 500cc 2 Stroke, 2 Row, Supercharged, 10 Cylinder Radial Engine Custom Motorcycle by Marek Foltis
Let me get right to the point, this engine build/custom motorcycle by Marek Foltis is one of the most impressive homebuilt projects I’ve seen since starting The Kneeslider in 2004. It’s that good. It began when Marek challenged himself with almost impossible goals, followed by absolute personal commitment to learning and doing whatever it took to get the job done. This … [Read more...]
Electric Motorcycles – a Non-Serviceable Appliance?
How many appliances do you own? Let's see, refrigerator, washer, dryer, TV and maybe a few things like a blender and a toaster. These are things you buy to use, but when not in use, they're turned off until needed. Do you ever spend an evening working on your refrigerator to modify it, customize it or tune it for more performance? How about your TV? Put a turbo on your washer … [Read more...]
A Norton Matchless in the British Tradition of Custom Hybrids
Recently we wrote about a beautiful, though less often seen, British hybrid combining a Norton Featherbed frame with an Ariel Square Four engine, it was called a Noriel. Now, here's another less often seen combination, a slimline Norton Featherbed frame with a Matchless 500cc single for power. I'm not sure if there's an accepted name for this one, "Norless" perhaps, but, … [Read more...]
Completely Transformed Honda CB350 is a Very Creative Resto-Mod
Restorations to like new condition are always nice to see, but sometimes it takes a creative mind to envision something a little different and in this case, the owner pulled off a great transformation. Starting with an old and tired 1970 Honda CB350 with a seized engine, he stripped it down to bare metal and began again. A new single shock rear end was fabricated and it … [Read more...]
Noriel Black Velvet and Norton Esquire – Two Different Visions Across Sixty Years
A recent magazine cover photo caught my eye, it was John Mossey's Noriel Black Velvet on the cover of Classic Bike. It's one of those thoroughly British creations that comes about when you combine major parts from different marques into one new machine, in this case it's an Ariel Square Four engine installed, with no small amount of massage and modifications all around, into a … [Read more...]