Hi Andrew, Forty four miles on an electric motorcycle is probably over ambitous for your first project. I am not aware of a single electric motorcycle that can be ridden this far day in and day out. Electric motorcycles are cool, but it is very difficult to stuff enough batteries into one to allow it to come up with that kind of range. You will either need to hang about 500 to 600 lbs of lead acid batteries to the frame or spring for some flavor of lithium battery pack. I would suggest starting with something a little more manageable. Build a phase one motorcycle with the standard 15 to 20 mile range that most have and enjoy riding it around and showing it off. Then read up on lithium batteries and decide whether you want to customize your frame enough to stuff it full of lead, or pay the money for a lithium solution. I'm sure you can build an EM that makes your commute if you really want to, but I think you will be dissapointed with the results if you go for it all at once. Just get something up and running that you can ride around, learn what it takes, and what real world performance you are happy with, then put it all together and build your commuting bike. good luck damon
Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 10:31:57 -0400From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Re: [ElectricMotorcycles] New to the world of EV but not to motorcyclingThanks for the info. I knew weight would be the enemy. Since my parts bike isn't complete. I planned on running only the tail section plastics, creating a faux tank from fiberglass, and only installing a small windscreen (cruiser style) on the front. If it's not required for operation. It'll be removed/cut off/drilled/or replaced to save weight.I'm thinking the mounting brackets for the motor and batteries will be made from steel. But any other mounting will be alum. for weight saving. I also plan on removing any unused mouting, and drilling what I can to reduce the frames weight.Another thing I'm thinking to converse power is to change all the lights on the bike to LED's and a HID headlight. Another thought I've had due to the range needed is creating a hybrid motorcycle. Using a small generator. On Tue, Apr 1, 2008 at 9:49 AM, Jeffrey Blamey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: The 250 is a good start because weight is the the electric vehicleenemy. Your goal of 44 miles on a charge while trying to keep the bikeweight down is going to challenge the storage issue. Some folks herehave used older technology nicad single cells as they have some weightsavings, and since they are individual can be arranged easily thoughthey are liquid electrolyte and not sealed. To get low weight/highenergy density that Lithium Iron or NiMH (which are okay on theenvironment) would be the only way to get the range. AGMs as I haveused (55Ah - 72V) have netted only 21 miles of mixed mileage, 60-40flat-hills here in Colorado. I am carrying 228lbs of batteries, orroughly just over half the vehicle weight. This is on a 84 VF500.Lithium Ion and Lithium Poly both have safety issues and badenvironmental Karma.There is a Chinese company that occasionally posts on EBAY LithiumIron battery packs. You may be able to come up with the physical specsof the space you have to store the batteries and they can configurethe battery pack for that space.BTW List viewers: I have been asked by Adams State in Alamosa, CO togo to their Earth Day event and talk to the students about electricmotorcycles. I hope to have an electric bike with me as well if I canborrow one for the event. I will have to trailer the TheFranken'ceptor since it is 4 hours away. The reason I bring up Earthday is there may be an event near you worth tooling over to on yourelectric motorcycle, maybe gather some potential converts, or give youthe opportunity to do a conversion for someone else (make a few $ forthe next project?). Or just bask in the revelations "Uh I didn't knowHonda made an Electric Motorcycle."CheersJeff On Tue, Apr 1, 2008 at 6:52 AM, Andrew <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:> Hello,>> I'm gathering information on how I to build an EM. I've got quiet a few> motorcycles. (Actually have 9 running bikes and 2 other parts bikes) And it> struck me that I've got a rolling complete (minus engine) EX250 that would> make a good candidate for a EV conversion.>> My goal is a EM that I can commute on. However, work is 44 miles away.> I'm certain I could charge when I get there and be ready to ride back home.> The route is mixed with some rolling hills, but about 60% flats.>> I've been reading up and I've read about regen. I will have a section> that is stop and go traffic (traffic lights). And a section that is about> 20 miles of the straight shot with one stop. (rolling hills too) So I> think regen is definitely a requirement.>> At this point in time, I need guidance as to what controller, motor, and> batteries to use. And the feasibility of the entire project. I have a> machine shop and since the EX has a steel frame, welding isn't an issue.> I'm looking at the D&D Sepex motor and a Alltrax controller. Also is there> any sources out there for used/rebuilt motors/controllers? What's the> feasibility of a deepcycle battery from a local store (to save shipping> costs of multiple batteries)>> Thanks,> Andrew> _________________________________________________________________ Get in touch in an instant. Get Windows Live Messenger now. http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_getintouch_042008
