Video: ForkenCycle! (Dirt cheap forklift based motorbike conversion)

[Christ]

Binghamton... first of all, check craigslists for NY and Scranton, PA. They're the closest to you.

Finding a forklift won't be easy business, but if you're planning on going straight to Raymond to get the parts, you'll need to know if you're doing a motorcycle or car conversion, the weight of the conversion, estimated top speed, etc..

All those things change the type/size of motor you'll need.

Hopefully, one of the more experienced guys will chime in here.

[Wonderboy]

There are plenty of resources to figure out for myself what type/size motor I should get, as I've read through this and a couple other threads on the subject and watched the video on this thread. I just want testimony from one of the folks who have done it and can tell me what kind of motor might get done what I want to get done, which, albeit lofty, is: highway legal (top speed ~55), and 50-60mile range. I'm thinking if I pick up a motor that can do these things, the bigger issue would be finding capable batteries. I'm willing to put quite a bit of money into batteries that can give me the aforementioned speed and range.

Could this be done?
What are the specs on that Raymond forklift motor? serial/model number?

[MetroMPG]

Yes, it can be done. How much money do you have?

Since you're willing to spend money (lead acid won't get you 60 miles at highway speeds) and need higher efficiency (again, given your range goals), I'd say you'd be better off looking for a permanant magnet Etek style motor, like Ben Nelson used in his e-motorbike:

Electric Motorcycle conversion

....rather than a series DC motor.

[bennelson]

The motor doesn't have a whole lot to do with range - that's almost ALL about the batteries (ok - weight too!)

I have been real happy with my Briggs ETEK motor. They don't make them anymore, but there are a couple other similar motors out, like the PERM, and now there is a new ETEK-R and ETEK-RT.

BIG deep cycle batteries can get you pretty decent range, but not likely as high speed. Plenty of small lithiums would be expensive, but save lots of weight, and give you good speed.

Another advantage of a permanent magnet motor is that you CAN do regen braking with it. Of course you do need a controller that supports it. The Kelly's and couple other controllers can do regen. (However, the only person I know with direct experience with Kelly controllers had NOTHING but problems with them.)

I really think that motorcycles make GREAT EVs, but range is an issue, as your really are limited in battery space.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

The images in the first post do not show up for me...