Electric Motorcycle conversion

[bennelson]

I was goind some sorting/cleaning/organizing today.

I came across a list of "100 things I would like to do" that I made a few years ago.

Two items I noticed on the list included:
- Learn to ride a motorcycle

and

- Build a motorcycle

I think I can check both those off the list!

[Bajascoob]

You can put as many batteries as you want just wire them differently to = 48v. IE two batteries in parallel, in series with 3 more batteries.

[JRobbins]

So does it still work? Any improvements on your design?

[sandcruiser]

does that controller allow for regenerative braking?
if not, then that might be a good way to increase your range without adding batteries.

[bennelson]

That controller isn't designed for regenerative braking.

Typically, front wheels do more braking that rear wheels. (Whether on a car or a motorcycle. Braking shifts the weight forward.)

Also, on a motorcycle you DO NOT WANT to over-brake on the rear, as that then makes the cycle go into a skid!

I don't think regen with a chain would be a good idea either. On a driveshaft motorcycle, it might work OK.

[Tweety]

Nu-uh... Regen on a bike is a baaad idea... You hardly ever even use the rear brake on a bike if you ride like you should...

[sandcruiser]

sure. that makes tons of sense!

I wonder how much trouble it would be to adapt a small generator to a hub on the front wheel to be able to produce power when braking. Maybe adapt some sort of cordless drill motor or something.

Just thinking out loud.

Thanks for sharing your creation, I'm excited about trying one of my own.

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by mirana

I have a little knowledge on installing 2 batteries but I would prefer to check it out through a professional motorcycle battery installer rather than try and try.

You are aware of the fact that we are discussing a homemade electric motorcycle and the batteries are for powering the bikes motor, not the headlight, right? There is no proffesional anything that knows more about it than Ben does, so that's a bad idea...

[bennelson]

Yeah.....

If you asked a "professional" motorcycle guy to do something like this, he'd look at you funny.

On a side note, a big part of any of these projects has been the Do It Yourself aspect. By doing something yourself, you learn about it. You have a better understanding of how it works. You get a great sense of pride and ownership.

Many of us live in "The Culture of the Professional". We all work our one job, earn money, and pay other people to do everything else for us. If fact, we believe that we CAN'T do any of those other things. (In some cases, it's even illegal to!) We no longer know how to make our own clothing, grow our own food, or do many other things that were once common skills.

Now, I am NOT saying that anyone should just go right into doing their own surgery or building a rocket to Mars. BUT, we should all learn about the world around us, even if it is getting a book on anatomy from the library, joining a model rocket club, taking up knitting, or planting a garden.

The best thing a lot of us can do is pick up a tool, and learn how to use it.

Make, don't buy.
Produce, don't consume.
Learn, don't be passively entertained.



PS: Do a web search for "The Great ReSkilling" . It's interesting stuff.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Tweety

You are aware of the fact that we are discussing a homemade electric motorcycle and the batteries are for powering the bikes motor, not the headlight, right? There is no proffesional anything that knows more about it than Ben does, so that's a bad idea...

That was actually a spammer's comment you replied to. I was deleting it while you were replying . Must get faster!

Still prompted some interesting discussion though.