Have you ever looked at a two stroke off road bike and thought, you know, with a few changes, that would be pretty sweet on the road? After all, some of the most desirable vintage bikes are two strokes, but they've disappeared from the showrooms in the US. Down in Australia, though, Salt Motorcycle Company is transforming KTM enduro bikes into lightweight corner carvers. They … [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 project … [Read more...]
The Two Stroke Dirt Bike Engine Building Handbook
If you're a longtime reader of The Kneeslider, you may remember a review several years ago of The Four Stroke Dirt Bike Engine Building Handbook by Paul Olesen. It's a great book if you're planning to dig into any four stroke motorcycle engine, not just one from a dirt bike. Well, since I just showed you the Rimar 2 stroke project, I thought it might be helpful for those of you … [Read more...]
Rimar Motors 600cc 2 Stroke V-Twin Project
Rimar Motors, in the Netherlands, is in the advanced stages of machining and assembling a 600cc 2 stroke, V-twin engine, designed to be installed in a 2004 Aprilia RSV1000R frame. The project has been going on for about a year and they've put up detailed photos of the entire process. The engine uses reed valves and two counter-rotating crankshafts. Cylinders come from a … [Read more...]
A Meticulous Restoration Sparks Thoughts of the Big Project
Browsing the motorcycles for sale listings I spotted this 1968 Suzuki T500 Cobra, a nice vintage 2 stroke, but the condition of the bike is far beyond what you would have found in any dealer showroom back in the 60s. I just can't see any flaws, so I thought I would check out the fellow who did the work, Jeff Weier. I've never heard of him, but if you head over to his website, … [Read more...]
Design and Build a Two Stroke Engine with No Machine Shop?
If you're one of those people that loves to learn, you'll simply learn, all the time at every opportunity. If you keep learning long enough, sooner or later your mind will begin to overflow into the real world. That pretty much describes J. Joachim Hall. He's a self taught and home schooled builder and college student. He's quite a maker who loves everything mechanical, … [Read more...]