The proposal mentioned back in May, to replace the 250cc GP class with 4 stroke motorcycles has been decided. The new class will be 600cc 4 strokes with a maximum of 4 cylinders. Replacing the 250s with something else makes sense as everyone moves away from 2 strokes but it will be interesting to see if the 600cc class will be a technology leading segment like the 800cc MotoGP machines are.

The new rules begin in 2011.

Link: MotoGP.com

If you have any interest in vintage motorcycles whatsoever and you have the chance to get to Mid Ohio July 25-27, 2008, you really should try to be there. This is the best assemblage of old motorcycles, riders and racers you’ll see in one place. There’s a huge swap meet, vintage racing, motorcycle shows and auctions and more vintage motorcycles than you’ll come across anywhere else.

It’s almost here, so make time if at all possible and get over there.

Link: Mid Ohio
Link: AMA Vintage Days

Next month the Vintage Japanese and European Motorcycle Club of North America will hold their 5th annual International Vintage Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet, August 15-17, 2008 at the Outagamie County Fairgrounds, Seymour, Wisconsin. Dave sent in a question about whether there would be a show this year and I thought I better find out.

This show is pretty big and a great time if you’re a vintage motorcycle enthusiast. Over 2000 vendors, loads of old bikes, a bike show with concours judging and people’s choice awards, … hey, … summer time, old bikes, what’s not to like?

If you have an old bike you would like to show or you just want to hang out with a few thousand of your closest vintage biker friends, check it out.

Link: VJEMC

Just spoke to Jason over at Olmax Fabrication about their new Cosmo trike. If you’ve seen the Big Wheel trikes the kids ride, just picture one that’s very well built, quite a bit larger and motorized and you’ll have an idea of what the Cosmo looks like.

It has a fiberglass body, air ride suspension, a 24 inch front wheel and automotive wheels and tires out back. It’s designed to fit anyone from 5 foot even all the way up to 6 foot 4 inches which, I would imagine, covers the majority of riders .

They sourced a number of automotive engine parts from various locations around the world and built up a 2 cylinder vertical twin, added a Garrett turbo, hooked it up to a 4 speed automotive transmission with reverse and built this 3 wheeler. Power is around 70 horsepower and Jason says he can easily cruise at highway speeds all day long. It’s no racer but it will hold its own with the usual V-twin crowd.

The engine is water cooled but the grill up front is a little misleading because that isn’t where the radiator is located, it’s out back below the trunk. The engine itself is covered by the side panels because, just like many inline 4s, it isn’t pretty, it’s functional. Normal replacement parts like air and oil filters will be available most anywhere, though engine parts will need to be ordered from the factory or from a dealer. Base model starts at $17,900. Read the rest of this entry »

June 2009 will mark the first running of the TTxGP Clean Emissions Grand Prix Race at the famous Isle of Mann TT circuit. The whole point of the race is to show clean and green doesn’t have to mean slow. There have been a lot of alternative energy drivetrains proposed and built but the image many of them have in the minds of the public is, “OK they’re clean but they sure are slow.” What better way to get rid of that image than to have a race?

The planned TTxGP will showcase a diverse range of vehicles capable of reaching Grand Prix race speeds. Racing teams are likely to be backed by international corporations, universities and high tech institutions, all eager to prove their credentials in the brave new world of clean emission transportation.

As part of the TTxGP there will also be an ‘Open’ class race for innovative cottage teams who are interested in experimenting with alternative energy sources. These teams will be required to build their vehicle to a set budget using off-the-shelf power sources only.

Think you’re up to the challenge? With all of the smart builders visiting The Kneeslider I would think this is something a few of you would want to take a shot at. We’ve highlighted lots of electric motorcycles, some hydrogen bikes and hybrids, too, here’s your opportunity to show the world what you can do.

Registration opens soon so head on over to their site and sign up. If you decide to get involved, be sure to let us know.

Thanks for the tip, Andy!

Link: TTxGP website

Roehr Motorcycles has set the price of their new Roehr 1250sc at $49,995. When we last wrote about it in May, the final specs and pre production images were on their site but the price was still up in the air. Coming in at roughly $50k is about right based on what this bike is, a low production, hand built, 180 horsepower, supercharged V-twin American sportbike. Looks pretty good to me.

Thanks for the tip, Jason!

Link: Roehr Motorcycles

Remember the hydrostatic drive diesel and the hydrostatic drive 2WD trail bike? Well, Brian Okeefe, from Hydraulic Innovations wanted me to know he just finished his hydrostatic drive turbo diesel chopper. I’m not a big fan of the really long look but the technology is definitely interesting.

Brian uses the same 3 cylinder Kubota diesel engine Jeff Parker used in his diesel bike but added a turbo. Another change from Jeff’s bike is no foot pedal to operate the pump, this chopper is entirely automatic, just twist and go. No shifting, nothing. Speed up or slow down, the pump adjusts the stroke to always be in the appropriate range or “gear”.

It’s currently set up for a top speed of about 75 mph and Brian says he won’t win any drag races but it’s fast enough. The rear swing arm completely encloses the hydraulic drive motor and hydraulic lines which is why it looks a little bulky and fabricating it was the most time consuming part of the project. (Also, a seat pan was added since these photos were taken.)

Now suppose you took this same technology and built a bike with the dimensions of a Triumph Rocket 3, for instance, you would have a pretty interesting custom. There’s no real reason to put it into a chopper, anything large enough to hold the diesel engine and associated drive mechanism would work, even a Gold Wing type motorcycle would serve the purpose.

What will they build next? Guess we’ll have to wait and see but these bikes already built should give a few other builders some ideas if they want to try something a little different. Interesting.

Link: Hydraulic Innovations

BMW has issued a recall for the 2007-2008 R1200 R, 2006-2007 R1200 GS and 2007 R1200 ST. Please carefully note the model years involved, they are different for each model.

Manufacturer: BMW
Model Year: 2006 - 2007 - 2008
Models affected: R1200 R, R1200 GS, R1200 ST
NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V254000
Potential Units Affected: 3248
Problem: BMW is recalling 3,248 model year 2007-2008 R1200R, model year 2006-2007 R1200 GS and model year 2007 R1200 ST motorcycles. Due to the current routing of the front brake lines, it is possible that during riding, the brake lines could be under strain. If the vibration/strain is significant, the brake lines could split and start to develop a leak. If the leak became significant, brake fluid could escape. If this happened, the level of fluid in the reservoir of the front brake system could drop. If fluid level drops significantly, the front brakes could fail increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect and install new brake lines with a modified routing free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during June 2008. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.