Re: [ElectricMotorcycles] Planetary Gear Reduction with Belt drive

[Mbachandz]

In a message dated 5/26/2006 7:37:03 A.M. Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:   Garret wrote... Hey Mike, At what average speed are you getting 20 miles?  I am thing of moving to an AGM battery next time around. The area that I live in (Highlands Ranch) is rather hilly, mostly open boulevards (6 lanes across), a fair amount of stop lights (about 4-5 average per mile), and speeds of ~45 MPH. Basically a fair amount of stop and go with enough acceleration not to get run over by the  SUV crowd.    Are you using 520 or 530 size chain? 525 although the specs look like 520 is what was stock. I have looked at some of the specs (primarily strength)  for smaller chains and they look acceptable to me (Dennis Kirk catalog) I am thinking that a light weight racing chain with drilled side plates and no O-Rings would be more efficient and not very expensive to try. Although I would like to have some way to actually measure the amp draw to see how much effect, before I make the change.    BTW I recently upgraded my old Suzuki GS750ET (gas) from 630 O-Ring to a 530 X-Ring plus new sprockets and there was noticeable improvement in rolling ease. Of course this is compared to a well used (but well maintained) chain at the end of its useful life.    As you know, I have a very similar bike.  I went a little different route.  I used ANSI 40 chain.  There shorter pitch works better for the tight turn radius of a small front sprocket at high RPMs.  I bought several front sprockets to play with gearing, a 60 tooth unbored rear and had it machined to fit the rear wheel, then roller chain, non o-ring type.  I am pretty happy with those choices since parts are available from Mcmaster-Carr or Grainger and less expensive in general because of the larger industrial market.     The small front sprocket made motor placement critical to keep the chain line from hitting the swing arm.  That is one reason I like John Bidwell's design of mounting the motor on the swing arm.  It also seemed to have less chain noise as it is a much shorter path.  It leaves a lot more room for battery placement too.   I too am a big fan of John Bidwell's swing arm mount design for the same reasons. I recently rode John's El Ninja and noted that his chain is VERY small (in terms of motorcycle standards). I think John said that it was a 40# size. I will tell you that my by the ears measurement indicated that it was not any quieter than my set up. I was surprised at the pep from the Etek. but noted that John's gear ratio is more like 10/1 compared to my 3.75/1. But John seemed worried about my being heavy on the throttle, although the motor was still cool when I returned the bike.    I too am concerned about the chain moving around a small front sprocket, so am considering going up in the rear a bit as I have some room. I can probably go up from a 45t rear to ~52 using std after market sources, before I have to resort to custom sprockets.     - Mike B.