<$1k DIY Neighborhood Electric Motorcycle

[MazdaMatt]

It is hard to tell by the pictures... but is there really such a thing as a brake light that is too bright on an electric motorbike? Clear visibility in the day and unmistakable presence at night are good things

[Christ]

Originally Posted by MazdaMatt

It is hard to tell by the pictures... but is there really such a thing as a brake light that is too bright on an electric motorbike? Clear visibility in the day and unmistakable presence at night are good things

Originally Posted by MazdaMatt

It is hard to tell by the pictures... but is there really such a thing as a brake light that is too bright on an electric motorbike? Clear visibility in the day and unmistakable presence at night are good things

.

[captainslug]

Test assembly of the front fender/headlight/gauge console parts.

All of these parts will be dyed black soon.

More on these later.

Originally Posted by MazdaMatt

It is hard to tell by the pictures... but is there really such a thing as a brake light that is too bright on an electric motorbike? Clear visibility in the day and unmistakable presence at night are good things

My coworkers thought I was arc-welding when I first turned it on.
As-is it's kind of painful to look at, even in a fully-lit shop.

It just needs some mild diffusion.

[my first gmc]

I just made some led tails for my truck, and the lenses actually amplify the light. Hope I don't get a ticket for having too bright of tail lights, cuz this things are killer.

[JayC]

When you say "dyed black" are you using a vinyl dye like plasti-kote or duplicolor, or are you talking about a warm bath in RIT dye?

[captainslug]

Originally Posted by JayC

When you say "dyed black" are you using a vinyl dye like plasti-kote or duplicolor, or are you talking about a warm bath in RIT dye?

Duplicolor car interior spray vinyl dye.

[captainslug]

Some progress on the gauge console and running light.





High beam is a Vision X Solstice LED which outputs 800 lumens at only 10 watts.
It was a little pricey, but I couldn't match its efficiency or output by making my own array.
Have to add a running light diffusor, remake the turn signals, and add a minimal fender.

[nubie]

Originally Posted by my first gmc

I just made some led tails for my truck, and the lenses actually amplify the light. Hope I don't get a ticket for having too bright of tail lights, cuz this things are killer.

I don't know about that, the strobe lights on the Highway Patrol cruisers are so bright that I can't not hit them, it is the only thing I can see!


Looking good, I finally see what the point of that front thing is

Have you ever considered a circuit breaker for the power? They have models that plug in like blade fuses, and you can get them from old cars with power seats, door locks, or windows. I just got a couple from the pick n pull, they were in an 82 GMC pickup with power windows and door locks (we needed the doors for a 73 Chevy that was pretty thrashed, so I picked up the harness as well.)

Keep on moving, and I don't trust set screws, give me a woodruff key and a bolt in the end of the shaft any day. Although I guess you have the bearings on the end of the shaft in this design.

[captainslug]

Diffusors made a big difference. Brake light LEDs are still VERY bright, but no longer eye-piercingly so.


Attached a ring magnet to the top of the gas cap,

So that I can set it on the frame when the bike is charging.


Remade the parts for the front turn signals, which will be getting orange LEDs once they arrive.

Originally Posted by nubie

Have you ever considered a circuit breaker for the power?

The fuses are only there for fault protection. I don't anticipate them blowing unless something else has failed catastrophically.

[my first gmc]

I'm not sold on that light bar thing up front, but awesome work none the less.