Electric Motorcycle conversion

[bennelson]

Last summer, I converted an old, non-running motorcycle to run on batteries and an electric motor.



It has sort of been a tinker-along-the-way project. I have never had a motorcycle before, but always wanted to learn to ride. I also hated how loud motorcycles are. (Shouldn't they call them ENGINE-cycles!?!?)

I had tinkered around with an electric bike, which was great fun, but then I wanted more speed and shocks. I was also suprised at how car drivers behaved around the electric bicycle. People would pull out right in front of me not realizing how fast I was going.

I sort of figured that if I wanted something that was faster, better suspension, and street cred, that thing would be a motorcycle.

I took a good look through the Austin EV Album to see what parts people commonly used on small projects and e-mailed a few folks for advice.
I picked up a copy of the "Secrets of EL Ninja" book/plans and used it as a rough basis for the conversion.

I wanted to do eveything as cheaply as I could, but I did buy a new Alltrax controller and later, new Yellow Top batteries in place of the tiny AGMs I was using from the bicycle.

The cycle is completely street legal, licensed, registered, and insured.

It was only designed as a short-range/limited speed project, mostly because of what I could fit in it for batteries. It goes up to 38 MPH and the longest I have ever taken it is about 16 miles, with just a little break and tiny bit of charging between the two 8 mile one-way trips.

Both my office and the grocery store are only about two or three miles away each, so even this limited range is plenty.

It's a blast to ride. Easy to steer. No clutch, no engine to kill or restart, just twist the grip and go. It is also quiet. There were a few times I would just hop on and zip off to the grocery store. When I got back, my wife would never know I left because the thing is so sneaky quiet. (yeah yeah - loud pipes save lives. Don't get me started. I may just have to hook up an iPod running engine rev noise or stick a baseball card in the spokes. Maybe use a bicycle bell like on that one crazy Commuta car.)

The motorcycle is stashed in the garage for the winter. I would like to eventually work on a cheap, simple, 4 wheels and a roof vehicle for getting around in non-motorcycle weather. (Yes, another Forkenswift....) I am in Wisconsin - motorcycle season isn't that long.

So basically the cycle runs at 36 volts - I would like to bump it to 48 sometime, just need to find space for one more battery...
It goes 10 to 15 miles on a charge which uses about a kilowatt. That comes to about a penny a mile. I figure if gas is $3.00 USD per gallon, that means I get 300 miles per gallon!

Here is a web page I made talking about the cycle. Please take a look at it and let me know what you think. I would be happy to answer any questions or offer advice.

[EDIT 2011/09/30]
The original web page I put together for the cycle was on a third party web page, which no longer exists. However, since the beginning of this project, I have now created an instructional video teaching other people how to build their own electric motorcycle. It's available through 300MPG.org

[SVOboy]

Sweet job! I demand more pictures...I'm extremely jealous...

Cost?

[bennelson]

I spent about $2000 on this project all together.

$100 for original cycle
$500ish for motor (used on Ebay)
$300ish for New Alltrax AXE 48v 300 amp programmable controller
$160 EACH for 4 Optima yellow top 55AH batteries.

I am also including in this total cost, a motorcycle safety class, new helmet, a year of insurance, lots of little trips to the hardware store, etc.

I am still trying to figure out how to fit that last battery in there.

Here are a few more photos.

[bennelson]

Here is the link to the info I have posted on Austin EV:
http://evalbum.austinev.org/1133

[MetroMPG]

Awesome. Thanks for posting that.

Ben's site is cool. More pics & info, neat design. Check it out:

http://web.mac.com/benhdvideoguy/iWe...e/Welcome.html

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It goes 10 to 15 miles on a charge which uses about a kilowatt.

Your 15 mi / kWh = 67 wH per mile. Nice!

The best I've achieved on a charge cycle with the ForkenSwift is 311 wH / mile.

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Question: what type of DC/DC converter did you get? We have one but haven't installed it yet, partly because of winter, and partly because it didn't come with installation instructions (but looks similar to yours with the pins sticking out the back).

If all you need is short range & 35 mph, have you considered shopping for a Citi/ComutaCar? Or are you also looking for another project?

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by bennelson

I am still trying to figure out how to fit that last battery in there.

• If you know someone who can weld, I've seen people reshape the frame in such a way that you could put another one ahead of the lower single battery.

• Or, you could do battery "saddle bags", gomi style. (You have seen the gomi bike, right?)

[MetroMPG]

PPS: you know to keep an eye on your ETEK brushes, right? I've read they wear quickly compared to most motors, and if you let them get too low you can damage the commutator.

[Silveredwings]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Or, you could do battery "saddle bags", gomi style. (You have seen the gomi bike, right?)

"...like butta"

[bennelson]

I would rather stay away from saddle bags. for one thing, it means you need to add two batteries, and I only need to fit one more.

My controller only supports up to 48 volts, so I max out at four batteries anyhow.

Since the cycle is working and registered, I don't have to worry about a state trooper inspection or anything. Maybe I could look at welding and bending the frame. I personally don't weld or have a welder. I would rather not pay a professional welder either.

Hmmm... which of my friends has a welder...

If I do any welding on this, I would also do up some real battery mounts at the same time then. Plenty of bed frames down at the local thrift store.

Now if I can locate a cheap 72V controller, I can add the 4th batt AND do saddle bags.

No I havent' checked the brushes lately. I will have to do that in the spring before I get riding again.

[Daox]

You could remove one battery from the engine area, move it to a saddle bag, then add the 2nd saddle bag for 4 total. Or, you could ask me to help out and I could probably take care of that welding for you. I'm no professional, but I can put two pieces of steel together (some of my work). I doesn't look like it would be hard to extend the very bottom a few more inches for another battery to slide in there.