Chris' Electric Motorcycle Build Thread

[MetroMPG]

How did I miss this thread?

Added it to the EM project library.

Well, one advantage of coming in late to the party, is you get to see how far along things have come all at once.

So, nice work guys. What's that motor from?

[bennelson]

Just some forklift motor. Not that any of us cheap-EV builders here know anything about modifying forklift motors..
I don't think the motor even had an ID plate on it.

Almost everything in the project so far has been donated, scrap material, etc.

When that motorcycle frame was up for grabs, I was SO TEMPTED to grab it. Not that I need another EV or Motorcycle.....
Chris is doing a really good job with it so far - lots of mentoring going on too.

[shiba]

Originally Posted by bennelson

Just some forklift motor. Not that any of us cheap-EV builders here know anything about modifying forklift motors..
I don't think the motor even had an ID plate on it.

Almost everything in the project so far has been donated, scrap material, etc.

When that motorcycle frame was up for grabs, I was SO TEMPTED to grab it. Not that I need another EV or Motorcycle.....
Chris is doing a really good job with it so far - lots of mentoring going on too.

there was an ID plate on it, but it was near impossible to read...and from what was on there, google couldnt find anything that had the same id numbers or w/e....although i DID find someone else who was asking for more information on the motor pulled from a forktruck, so i know someone else wanted to use the same motor for the same purpose...

and yea, the only thing that i've really had to pay fore were the brake, though i did pay more then i probably should have; and the motor cost 50$ from a junkyard...

more then alot of mentoring....a HUGE amount, i came into this with no know-how of many things, and continue to learn!

ok, photos are now up...found HERE

More progress next time!!
~Shiba

[Daox]

Very nice. Ditto on wishing I was there.

[MetroMPG]

I like the different sound - a change from the usual chain noise being the dominant sound of motorbike conversions.

[bennelson]

That's sort of what I thought right away too - "Sounds Great!"

I find it really interesting how different combinations of electronics and drivetrains all have unique sounds.

My DC-chain drive cycle sounds different than this drive-shaft EV cycle, and my Cougar-controller DC Geo Metro sounds different than Tom's AC Dodge Neon.

I like the way this cycle sounds - it almost has a little bit of a scream to it. (It is also possible it needs some lubrication somewhere! )

[bennelson]

New Video!
We got the controller wired up and brake fluid in the brakes!

No SEAT on the cycle yet, but that's no reason not to road-test it, right!?

Headlights and brakelights are for wussies anyways....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRJPBSG3-og

Unfortunately, we found out the controller wasn't working right, and we did NOT get the speed we were expecting out of it.

Since I happened to have my Metro there, they did threaten to "borrow" the Cougar to power the cycle.....

[Christ]

That one guy has a nice beard.. Looks like he keeps it well.

Anyway. I tested the first bike I ever bought without a seat on it. VERY uncomfortable, especially on back roads.

I suppose I should ask - That bike looks alot like a sport bike frame adapted for a road bike stance... Seems an awful lot like Suzuki was recycling their frames?

[bennelson]

Originally Posted by Christ

That one guy has a nice beard..

That's our friend Rich. He is a big motorcycle guy AND owns a Citicar AND is a backup guitarist for ZZ Top.

Just kidding about the ZZ Top part...

So, he is smart about motorcycles and electric vehicles, the perfect guy to have on a project like this.

The standing joke is that his beard is the exact length of his welding helmet. Whatever sticks out from under it just gets burnt off.

He once mentioned that I had a good "Training Beard".

[Christ]

Originally Posted by bennelson

That's our friend Rich. He is a big motorcycle guy AND owns a Citicar AND is a backup guitarist for ZZ Top.

Just kidding about the ZZ Top part...

So, he is smart about motorcycles and electric vehicles, the perfect guy to have on a project like this.

The standing joke is that his beard is the exact length of his welding helmet. Whatever sticks out from under it just gets burnt off.

He once mentioned that I had a good "Training Beard".

I used to work with a guy at Sears who actually allowed that to happen. Hadn't shaved/trimmed in at least 20 years.

The "training beard" remark is classic.

Any insight on the frame recycling thing? I'm really interested in that...