Vetter streamliner body kit

[bschloop]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I think sendler has described the market. Even with $4 gas it appears the majority is still more interested in projecting their ego than in gaining improved efficiency.

As far as bikers go... it might be more appealing to many of them if it comes with a shark mouth graphics/pinup girl graphics/open header package.

Looks like I just found the paint scheme for my fairing this year Thanks.

There is lots of ego in buying American made. just look at all the ignorant people boasting up their Mexamerican pickup trucks. That was the idea of doing 100% american made. appeal to the ego.

[minimac]

Short of $10/gal. gas, the only way I see this being viable(profitable) is as part of a roller chassis. Sort of a generic frame and body kit, sold at various outlets, and a DIY your own power. Sort of like FactoryFive Kit car, where you build-or have built- a cool car using a scrap Mustang for parts. Instead of a scrapped Mustang, you buy the chassis and body kit and a wrecked or old bike to strip off the needed parts. All of the hard work is already done, but I still build it myself. The Ultimate Tourer...fuel economy, comfort, and space for luggage. Offer different options,ie.seating, or even something along the lines of Vetters Torpedo Scooter.
Defiant Scooter design

[bschloop]

The market I envision is not bikers, or avid diyers. When I think, "who will buy this" I immediately think of all the people currently buying crappy chinese scooters. This market is currently exploding. built and marketed right, the streamlined design would add a measure of comfort to, and increase the performance of a small scooter. For example, there are three or four people at my work who commute on 50cc machines because of FE. this market is expanding rapidly. a streamlined 150 is the answer for those who have a longer drive to work and need something that will do 55mph and still get over 100 mpg.

[Frank Lee]

Lemme put it this way: if Metros were made in Uhmerica, people would still buy Sliveradopes because Ned "stupid" Flanders drives a Metro, not a Sliveradope.

[beatr911]

Frank, he, he, I love your color.
Heck, even Craig himself put a Harley motor in a scooter to appeal to the 'mericans. Maybe it needed teeth instead of chrome!

[beatr911]

I like the Factory Five kit car comparison. The (in my opinion) unquestionable coolness of the Hayes diesel streamliner stands out among the competitors so far, for the coolness. But, the motor is unobtainium and the Airtech bodywork and finish cost more than I will part with.

So this brings to mind a comparison. Which do you think would sell for more on Craigslist or Ebay. 1) A new CBR250R with similar, nicely finished Airtech bodywork. 2) A rebuilt title, 30k mile Hyabusa.

I'm guessing the big bike. Though it's less powerful, plenty fast and will meet 99% of the riding needs, powerful motors still draw more money. It's that stupid "BECAUSE I CAN" mentality, even though they don't.

Auto manufacturers in recent years have been making an extra effort to improve the feel of engines. To feel more responsive and torquey in the range most used by most drivers. Finally, Honda gets it and makes the NC700 with the same ideals. Gee, look at the rave reviews it's getting for how fun it is. It doesn't even make 60hp or fit with really any motorcycle style following. But the press is loving riding the bike. Oh yeah, it gets great MPG also.

What is going on here is an outlier that delivers more riding satisfaction than brutal horsepower or fitting in with the brotherhood. A return to the middle ground of the simplicity enjoyability of riding.

Maybe there is room for streamliners to make a similar change.

[renault_megane_dci]

I believe the streamlined bikes needs to go with a revolution as far as powerplant is concerned.

Here is my proposed brief :

I would like a streamlined electric bike with the speed potential of a good 125 and a range of 150 miles, half of it being 70mph operation.
It should have removable batterys to interest those who don't have power where they park their bike.
It should not cost much more than the 400 scooters (the Jap 4 price)
I accept renting the battery to allow for a cheaper starting price.

Who wants to build it ?

Is it do-able ?

[sendler]

The best streamlining might get an electric motorcycle up to a top speed of 75 mph without adding a transmission. And get it down to 90 Watt hours per mile of consumption at 65 mph/ 105kph. A 72v 100ah would be difficult to fit. The A123 Amp20 pouch cells clones are the best right now and being sold direct from China for 1/3 the retail price. $25 each in quantity. $2200 for the cells at the wholesale price. The finished size would be two rows of 240mm x 180mm x 320mm and weigh 100 pounds / 45kg. You don't want to carry it around and it barely fits. A similar battery from GBS cells would be much larger due to the nice cases and cost $4000 with a monitoring system and charger. These cutting edge batteries would provide a usable range of 60 miles/ 100km at 65mph using a gentle 80% of the capacity and charge in 5 hours from a normal 110v USA electrical outlet for $.80 . With perfect care the A123 cells should retain 80% of their original capacity after 3000 cycles.
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I am starting a new project for an e-bicycle conversion using a hub motor at 72v/ 20ah on a fully faired recumbent. My goal is 40.40.40.
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40 mph average speed, 40 mile range, 40Wh per mile.
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Actually, I will need to hit 30Wh per mile to make it to work without adding a second, $700 pack which might mean an average speed of 35mph. I bought the bike and it will be easy to streamline with an oval bubble for the nose and a fabric body back to the tail.
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[renault_megane_dci]

Thank you for the input.

I guess I can review my expectations down to what you suggest.
The size of the battery pack you are stating does not look awfully big to me, bearing in mind we just got rid of a motorbike engine wich uses pretty much that space (air box / mufflers and such included) and has the same weight.
I know we also require electric controller and maybe an inboard charger.

If split in two, 23 kgs rolling suitcases is not a NO NO if it is the only way to have your bike charged at night.
It is also a good anti theft device since 2 to 3 K$ worth of batteries might attract those in the need

And by the way, 40 mph average on a bicycle frame sounds like something I wouldn't want to do daily ...

[sendler]

Originally Posted by renault_megane_dci

And by the way, 40 mph average on a bicycle frame sounds like something I wouldn't want to do daily ...

They ride elbow to elbow in a pack of 170 riders at 28 mph and hitting 65 mph on the down hills for 2000 miles all the way around France every summer on a 15 pound bike with paper thin tires.