D.I.Y. Trend of the Moment: Electric Motorcycles
The Killacycle's ups and downs may have brought electric motorcycles to the national consciousness, but the latest trend in electric bikes involves far less burnt rubber (and, at least so far, head injuries.) Ecomodding refers to the trend of modifying for improved environmental friendliness, and D.I.Y electric motorcycles have become the two-wheeled trend du jour.
Consider Russ Gries's "Voltzilla" (AKA, "ForkenCycle"), a 1976 Honda CB550 implanted with salvaged forklift parts. It weighs in at 740 lbs, has a top speed of 35 mph, and boasts all the visual appeal of a landfill, but hey-- it's an early work in progress and might someday develop the range required for Gries's 24 mile roundtrip commute.
On the glossier end of the spectrum is this bike, a 1984 Honda Interceptor 700 electrified by "Ben"-- aka "Stryker," a commenter at AutoblogGreen.com. Its range is only 10-15 miles, but can hit 70 mph, which is good enough for Ben since he's got a six mile roundtrip daily commute.
They may be rough around the edges and not quite ready for prime time, but considering that independent manufacturers like Zero are already building compelling electric bikes, it's likely just a matter of time before major manufacturers start taking cues from backyard ecomodders.
Click to enlarge photo
Comments
Seems like an awful lot of work for little return. How any car batteries are hanging off the other side?
You won’t be riding this motorcycle very far at any one time. I just read an article that said the Killacycle can get anywhere from 50 miles to 125 miles between charges. That gives you anywhere from an hour to two hours of riding time before you need to beg someone to use their electrical outlet.
Voltzilla looks dangerous honestly.
I think it’s important to remember that electricity is not free, and in most cases something has to be burned to produce it.
True, these bikes are a lot of work that offer limited range topped off with cobby looks, but I believe there might be some hidden gold with amateurs that do their own homegrown R&D… I came across plenty of DIY bikes online that are more polished and involve lots of ingenuity.
Consider Challenge X, a contest which enlists college students to build alternative energy cars… there will surely be plenty of dud designs, but there’s also a strong chance some innovations will come out of it.
Basem
Here’s the motorcycle I built:
http://web.mac.com/benhdvideoguy/iWeb/cycle/Welcome.html
Also check out motorcycles on the EV Album:
http://www.evalbum.com/type/MTCY
and on Ecomodder:
http://www.ecomodder.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=10
I have been following commercial electric motorcycles like the Brammo Enertia and the Zero X. I am all in favor of light weight, torquey bikes, even with a limited range….but… they all seem a bit expensive at the moment. I a couple of years with improving batteries and motor control systems, maybe even slight improvements in motors I think they will fill an important niche. But not at their present 7 to 8 thousand dollars price tag.
Greetings. I hope this finds all in excellent health, riding strong! We stand at the crossroads of the future of motorcycling. It is painfully obvious that we can no longer depend solely, if at all on pollution-causing, limited quantities and availability fossil fuels. We have to start somewhere; here it is! I for one do support those pioneers who have the “moxy” to go in the right direction.
Ride On! Stay Safe! GOD Bless!
Check out some cool vids posted at Zero’s site.