Update February 2009
Well, I am happy with this project except for one issue in order to service batteries and experiment with the bike, clear access to the batteries and electronics is needed. Unfortunately, removing the Ninja bodywork for this access requires removing the mirrors, front blinkers and windscreen, making the bike unsafe probably illegal to ride. The solution is some type of one-piece body that is easily removed and does not support the mirrors and blinkers. So back into the garage it goes! So far Ive tried several ideas for the bodywork all have been unsuccessful (or really ugly!). My goal is to be back on the road by Summer 09 with the new bodywork and updated batteries. Will update the video when completed! See ya then!
Note: if youre really interested in this bike, be sure to read through (all) the comments for a lot of information!
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ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION:
Backyard project to create a form of local transportation WITHOUT burning gasoline. Since I work within 5 miles of my home and do a lot of local running around, the idea was to leave the car at home and commute with clean, quiet electric power as much as possible.
Have been on the road only a few weeks — still in the testing/adjusting phase, but so far it looks like this:
Bike has a lot (too much) low end torque so it is pretty quick from a standing start. However, the top speed right now is about 45mph. Since I started with a low 6:1 gear ratio, I have plenty of room to change gearing for more top speed — however, since I use this locally (mostly on 35mph city streets), I don’t really need much more speed. Also, I chose the Alltrax controller because it comes with free software so I can plug my laptop into the bike and adjust motor power, throttle curve, etc.
I’m currently using four 12 volt batteries for a 48 volt bike. Since this was an “experiment” and my first EV, I used the cheapest batteries I could find (Wal-Mart 85 ah Marine batteries at about $45 each). They are, however, working out well for now.
Plugs in to any standard 120 volt household outlet and takes about 6 hours to charge (not really sure since I plug it in at night and it’s ready in the morning). The math says the range would be about 30 miles on a charge, but it’s looking like much less than that right now. Again, actual numbers coming as soon as I complete testing and adjusting.
Total cost to build is about $2,800 which includes the cost of the original bike, the (all-new) motor and electronics, new tires, etc. Cost to run (electricity) should be about 2 cents per mile.
Some Details :
D&D SepEx Motor (about 45 ft-pd torque at 2000rpm)
400 Amp Alltrax Controller with PC link
Four 12 volt deep cycle marine batteries (Wal-Mart)
Four on-board battery chargers
More details coming soon. . . . . .
GO GREEN !
Thanks to
Nancy Avalos — garage help, photographer, food runs!
Andy Limon (the “Rocket Scientist” from Street Tuner Challenge) — advice and encouragement!
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Music:
1. Marvin Gaye
2. REM
3. ???
4. Beach Boys
Duration : 0:6:51
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
you are my hero…. …
you are my hero…..got to figure out how to do this myself…thanks for the inspiration
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
Amazing job you did …
Amazing job you did there!
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
buenisimo, bravo! …
buenisimo, bravo! thanks
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
outstanding
outstanding
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
grandissimo!!!!!!!! …
grandissimo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
I’ll stick with …
I’ll stick with petroleum
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
go hybrid or try …
go hybrid or try biofuel engines too
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
Great, great …
Great, great project. This is the kind of bike I want. As gas-motorcycle driver I often have small distances to cover on a 70 MPH freeway for about 7 miles here in the netherlands. This short distances are very bad for the lubrication of my bike, so I got too much maintenance… and gas is rather expensive here, way above 2$/ liter…. About 10$/gallon.
This would be a cheap, mainenance poor, and far more reliable solution!
Now its up to engineers to optimize it and do the finetuning.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
you should install …
you should install better batteries. 30m per charge seems very low.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
your thinking with …
your thinking with your dipstick jimmy!
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
When do you ride a …
When do you ride a motorcycle 420 miles in one go? and recharging could be done while you sleep at night or at work or anything.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
F****ing awesome.
F****ing awesome.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
Real Nice Keep The …
Real Nice Keep The Good Ideas!!!!
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
+100!
this is the …
+100!
this is the future.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
it has to be able …
it has to be able go atleast 70mph for 6 hours and be charged in like max 5 min and the you can say the electric is prety close as useful as gas
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
agree. I think it’s …
agree. I think it’s on the horizon. The mission one is nearly there, but the price is way too much for a bike. 160mph speed though, not sure of the mpcharge
A 150 mph bike priced around *£12.000* with a 100-200 range and a sub 1 hour charge will sound the death knell ofthe motor domination
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
I agree. I think …
I agree. I think it’s on the horizon. The mission one is nearly there, but the price is way too much for a bike. 160mph speed though, not sure of the mpcharge
A 150 mph bike priced around £12 with a 100-200 range and a sub 1 hour charge will sound the death knell ofthe motor domination
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
I just read …
I just read everything I can and things have been going great for me financially.. personally is another story but whatever.. check out this free newsletter for example.. authoropen . com
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
hey, i wonder if …
hey, i wonder if you can hook an alternator (or 2) up to the chain so that when you are coasting, it’s charging, and when you’re cruising, it’s helping to offset the energy use. it wouldn’t fully charge the batts but should give you longer range in theory.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
my only problem …
my only problem with this is how slow ev are
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
Congrats! Question, …
Congrats! Question, why a Katana and not something more zanier?
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
From an outsiders …
From an outsiders perspective seeing the chord coming out of the gas tank goin to an outlet makes it look like you’ve got it all wrong lol
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
im sure they would …
im sure they would if they didnt have the oil companies them in the ass. remember the EV1 from GM??
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
Great job! Your …
Great job! Your video shows that there is hope for humanity’s future – if only the big manufacturers would take similar action.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
fantastic video , …
fantastic video , great work, thanks for sharing!!!!