Here is some general advice I gave out for anyone considering doing a gas to electric motorcycle conversion:
Originally Posted by bennelson
For a motorcycle:
Make sure it has a clean title! You want something that you can register THEN convert. Makes it a lot easier.
In Wisconsin, the "Antique" and "Hobbyist" plates apply to motorcycles more than 20 years old. The Hobbyist plate worked best for what I was trying to do. The cycle I bought was over 20 years old.
Sizewize - you want something big enough to hold batteries, but not so big and heavy that you have to push extra weight around.
Make sure it has two down pipes on it, so you can build a platform to hold batteries on it. smaller motorcycles only have one down pipe, like on a bicycle.
Mine was originally a 440cc engine. The cycle is a medium size and could seat two.
The Japanese make good motorcycles. Apparentyly there was a line of motorcycles known as the "superbike" where pretty much all the parts were practically interchangeable between Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha.
Crotch rockets are supposed to make good conversions, because they have a strong, lightweight aluminum frame.
I strongly suggest looking at every motorcycle on the
AustinEV site.
Also, "
Secrets of EL Ninja" is a pretty good book/plans to have before you do a conversion.
This was my first motorcycle - gas or electric. I bought it with a dead engine and no title for $100 out of a guys garage.
Best thing for you to get is a cycle in very good condition except for a dead engine.
Mine had a really bad wire harness that I had to totally rebuild - I would not do that again!
Hope that gets you started.
Feel free to ask other questions as the need arises.
-Ben