Hi Mike,
A motorcycle EV conversion is a good place to start and the El Ninja book has helpful knowledge based on a real world conversion. In the interest of full disclosure you will find my name as one of the contributing authors of this book.
 
I bought my electric motorcycle from someone who simply didn't want to swap in a new battery pack. It has been bullet proof and in addition to the new batteries I have made a number of improvements and have a number of others planned. See it at http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/type/MTCY (the yellow one).
 
I have an extensive motorcycling background, am a backyard mechanic (e.g. a bit of a motor head), and a fair knowledge of electrical engineering. Don't let this overly concern you. Proceed with the goal being to learn and to end up with a practical EV. Of these skills the one I use the least is my EE knowledge. If my bike doesn't go I know it is usually a simple connection problem.
 
I put several thousand oil free miles on the vehicle each of the last 2 years. Something cool about sitting on the bike next to an SUV at a stop light (not idling) and knowing you can kick their V 8 ass when the light turns green. As you can probably tell I have my EV grin and it is incredibly addicting. I'm looking for project #2 for this winter. Highly recommend that you take the leap.
 
This list is a great resource to get help/questions answered, as are vendors like KTA Services that provide a great deal of expertise to go along with the EV parts that they sell.
 
I also recommend joining the local EV club if one is near you, otherwise consider the EAA at eaaev.org. My local club dues are $15/yr.
 
Questions?
 
Mike Bachand
Denver Electric Vehicle Council (DEVC)
Board Member, Web Administration and Newsletter Editor
1994 Kawasaki Ninja EV
Colorado

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