Wow! 270 pounds.... I figured electric bikes would be lighter for some reason... shows you what I know :)
Remember, to go any where one needs batteries and the batteries most of us can afford are lead.
On to other topics:
Clover saved up for $1,000 worth of customized parts, including a 1983 Honda XL600R donor bike from Craigslist (for the brake assembly, front fork and suspension). In the Product Realization Lab, he learned to tig (tungsten inert gas) weld, and began his project by making a wooden prototype. "I bought a bunch of two-by-twos and two-by-fours and started screwing things together. I made cardboard cutouts of the motor, and boxes the same size as the batteries and controller for a rough estimate of clearance and packaging issues. To see what fit."
I think a lot of folks who are doing custom stuff like this, either converting a bike or a car, just start tossing parts at the project and don't stop to think about what they're doing. Try building a prototype out of cardboard and styrofoam. You'll be amazed at how much time and money you save!
Ten weeks later, Clover had an electric motorcycle. He can ride it at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour, for a distance of about 25 miles ("If you rock it real hard and crank on it, you do less"). Then he has to pull over, lean the bike against a wall with an electric outlet (he doesn't yet have a kickstand) and plug it in for about five hours.
Five hours to recharge sounds okay but 25 miles @ 45 mph? I can't see that happening with a 290lbs rider.
Color me skeptical. Mike -- The Electric Motorcycle Portal http://www.electricmotorcycles.net/ Electric Motorcycle Listserv http://www.electricmotorcycles.net/listserv
