The biggest reason is because then your motor becomes unsprung weight. From
a ride perspective, it is kind of like filling your back wheel with cement.
It also can't be good on the motor since it will be taking the full force of
any bumps and jumps. I think that if you did go that route, moving it up
the swingarm towards the pivot point as far as possible will make the
unsprung weight less of an issue, but it seems likely your motor is still
going to take a pounding. Unlike the El Ninja, you are talking about a
dirtbike.
Your batteries can go anywhere. I have had batteries hanging down like
saddle bags in the past, and right now I have 75lbs worth of batteries
sitting over the top of the back fender. The batteries don't all have to
fit up front between your legs.
Do yourself a favor and get your motor in the best spot first, then get
creative with where you place your batteries.
damon
http://home.comcast.net/~damonhenry/ebike.htm
From: "Chapin, Tim" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: ElectricMotorcycles <[email protected]>
To: "ElectricMotorcycles" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [ElectricMotorcycles] Hello...
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:49:44 -0400
Thanks for the input. When I said the El Ninja approach I was talking
about mounting the etek on the swing arm. You said you wouldn't. Just
curious on why you wouldn't do it? My thinking (mind it is vary
limited) was more room for batteries, less worries on getting the pivot
point right and simpler motor mounting. Now I am saying all this
because I looked a couple of pictures and nothing else. Before I dig
into things I would like to know I am at least heading down a road that
I have a chance of making it to the end.
I don't really have any mechanical background to help me out here, just
grew up farming and keeping the junk running at harvest time... I need
to lean on others that have made it down the same road.
Thanks.
Tim
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of damon
henry
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 1:39 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ElectricMotorcycles] Hello...
It shouldn't take much time at all. I'm not sure what all you mean by
the
El Ninja aproach (I do know what the El Ninja is I'm just not sure what
distinguishing features it has) but really you are just looking to fit
the
pieces in the correct places. In my opinion the most important thing to
do
is to get your sprockets lined up correctly. There are several
approaches.
You can mount the Etek directly on the swing arm, although I wouldn't.
You
can mount the Etek in line with the swing arm and run the chain directly
to
the Etek with the chain going around the pivot point of the swing arm,
or
you can mount a jack shaft in that position and mount the Etek, or both
Eteks someplace else and run a seperate chain from the motor to the jack
shaft. After you have that worked out, then mount the batteries and
controller anywhere you can find room and take it for a ride. Don't
forget
to pick up a Magura Twist grip throttle as it will interface directly
with
your controller. It should cost you about $50. This is literally
something
that you could put together in a few days if you want and get out and
kick
up some dust. I've been riding my motorcycle for well over 3 years now
and
it is still a lot of fun. It took me a while to figure out the whole
motor,
swing arm thing, but since I got that settled I have reconfigured the
bike
multiple times to accomodate different batteries.
damon
>From: "Chapin, Tim" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Reply-To: ElectricMotorcycles <[email protected]>
>To: <[email protected]>
>Subject: [ElectricMotorcycles] Hello...
>Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:03:18 -0400
>
>I have been snooping around EV for while now.. Was one of the lucky
few
>to own a Ford Ranger factory ev for a few short months. (the lead pack
>crapped out and it was before the latest battery conversion was figured
>out). I have owned my Elec Trak electric lawn tractor for around 5
>years and became a dealer of the Pukka electric mini bike.
>
>
>
>I am mechanical enough to break thing and sometimes get them back
>running again. Over the last year, I have been gathering parts and
>pieces to build an electric dirt bike. The parts bin includes 2 etek
>motors, 2 Curtis controllers 36 and 48 volts (I don't remember but I
>think they are around 300 amp), 1 mid 80's Suzuki RM 250. (it was
given
>to me and pretty rough). I was thinking about setting it up like the
el
>ninja and use the engine bay to carry four 30 ah sealed bricks. Gear
it
>to run about 35-40 max.
>
>
>
>I can weld some and own an old stick buzz box. Is the el ninja
approach
>the easiest/quickest approach? Is there down falls to it? I.e.
>scrapping the motor off on a tree... Is there easier/quicker ways then
>the el ninja?
>
>
>
>Time is currently a problem so looking for less complicated approaches.
>Would love to just buy a drift, blade, ac-motard or even the little
road
>runner but the wife wouldn't allow the expense.
>
>
>
>I have also been kicking around the idea of going the electric bicycle
>approach to start but think an etek on a bicycle might be a little over
>kill.
>
>
>
>Any idea or comments are more than welcome. I just don't want to spend
>a bunch of time on something that I end up scrapping.
>
>
>
>Thanks
>
>Tim Chapin
>
>Brighton Mi.
>
>
>
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