Electric Motorcycle conversion

[hzoltaan]

I was considering getting a 24V 6-7-8kW modell from a scrapyard and drive it on 12V only. For my goals a continous 1-1.5 kW would be acceptable, with few seconds / half a minute peak power of 2 - 2.5kW.

I know even though they might overheat in no time... Well, it's an option to try anyway. If somebody has a huge truck starter at home, they could hook it up on a car battery and see what happens.

(I saw a small car conversion in Hungary done by a group of students. They got a rally small Fiat 126 "car" and somehow they acquired a pair of Ilyushin airplane starter motor. That runs ok. but of course that motor might be a completely different construction.)

[hzoltaan]

Actually a 2kw 24v oil pump motor surfaced on the local ebay-ish website.
I wonder if it would be able to propel me with about 70km/h?

the thing is, that I live just by an expressway. On that road the office is about 15 minutes away, while If I do the same distance throught the city it takes about 30-40 minutes with lots of redlights, crossings....

So If the thing would be capable of giving me 70km/h than I'd be able to use that expressway.... I could not find information what peak I could squezee out of suck a pump-motor.

[MPaulHolmes]

24v 2kW means about 83 amps continuous, at whatever voltage you pretty much want to use. How much does it weigh? That sometimes gives an idea of how much thermal mass it has, so it can take higher currents longer. I think you could do 70km/hr easily with the right gearing.

[hzoltaan]

the motor is still on internet i do not owe it. After some thinking I decided that for start I will go for an electric bicycle. Mostly to experience how much energy it will really take to roll from A-B, and also to convice my other half that putting money into a bit more powerful vehicle will envetually return.
So for now I'm looking for a power steering motor (anyone has an idea what would be it's usual power and RPM??). I already found batteries that should do the trick, and the costs are not that alarimngly high. It will be an experiment.

later I beleive I'll get a used palet-lift. (or what's the name of those little carts, people use in department stores to move the stuff around) This way I'll be able to lay my hands on batteries, centrolling electrics and a 2kw-ish pump motor. I saw a 4.5kw pump motor on internet, but to feed it on my daily 30km round trip, it would need a huge battery pack. But if I'll be lucky and I find a bigger palet-mover... (i had some luck working with one, which was a normal forklift, with the operator walking behind. that might have a bigger motor in it... 3kw would be great. )

[bennelson]

Building your own electric bicycle is a great project. It will really help you get some experience on working on electric vehicles, and have a lower budget as well.

Another advantage of an electric bicycle is that they are typically designed so that the pedals still work. So, technically, it's a hybrid! You can always pedal more to extend your range. Or, it there is ever a problem with the electric system, you have the pedals to fall back on. If all else fails, it's still easier to push than a motorcycle!

[hzoltaan]

thanks!

my original idea was to get a car power steering motor (I read an article about an electric bike like that with really simple control electrics) adn use that.
However I have the problem of the gearing.
I'd put a second chain on the left side and have a chain to the motor/gears.

i could not find a "gearbox" which would suit me.
there is a company importing motors, and they do sell motors with gear reduction, but they are costy and I'd rather trust in a motor from an Opel or Toyota... All their motors are either on 24-36V, or below 250W. I found batteries for good price. would be ideal for 12/24v batt rack, and I'd not need a third battery for a 36V system. I hope it makes sense.

All comes nicely together apart from the gears...

[hzoltaan]

I actually found an 80 teeth sprocket on a website. It would give me around 1:8 ratio... i need to know how much a power steering motor would turn...?
any idea? I could not find any specifications

[crisco]

how about putting the extra battery behind you where the goldwings have the rear 'trunk' baggage location?

[bennelson]

Some EV cycles sometimes put a pair of batteries on either side of the rear wheel (Saddle-bag position.)

Right behind the rider would NOT be a good place because it is very high center of gravity right there.

[crisco]

lol! true - but it will weigh less than a person back there and you got the extra kw. yeah it throws off the COG but its easy enough for most riders to adjust if they have their girlfriend (or someone else) back there.

saddlebags would be better and you can add 2 instead of one.

i would love an EV motorcycle!