Electric Bikes - Scanning interest.

I think this is a great idea. I think kingston university built an electric bike for the TT, you could always contact their motorcycle engineering department for any advice or whatever - mind you, they had performance in mind and not a mix of performance and longevity

Although, the thing about it being green is true. Where does the electricity come from ultimatly? In some other respects, the green credentials are improved a little in terms of not spreading emissions everywhere, and also stuff like oil consumption (what happens to old engine oil, does anyone know?)

I think when micro-generation kicks in and people will have a little turbine turning on top of their shed with a cable running down to charge a motorcycle then it will be completely green (except for battery disposal)

[Grant66]

will have a little turbine turning

If its windy enough and when it isn't...

Do the DVLA just allow a petrol vehicle to be converted to electric? Wouldn't you need a SVL or something?

needs to be re-registered IIRC.

If you're going to go through all that effort, it would probably be easier to look into a Zero-S. The company has a range of electric bikes based around off-road bikes, and the few reviews I've seen seem to be positive.

Personally, if I could replace my train pass with one, it would be something I'd consider.

the whole retro fit idea is more plausable i think.

As has been pointed out a 125 is probably better option to leave as a petrol engine.

I've seen the Vectrix and at £5.5k would you buy one instead of a £2k CBF125?

[keith_d]

My random thoughts:

1) Narrower section tyres mean reduced rolling resistance. (Have you seen those skinny things the Prius uses?)

2) To get the range probably have to look at a fared design, but this is a trade off - more weight vs. less drag. So it depends on your route whether it's worthwhile.

3) You'll probably need some fairly expensive Li-ion batteries to get the power to weight ratio looking sensible.

4) For starting torque and regenerative braking you'll probably want to use DC motors. But regenerative braking can be hard on Li-ion batteries.

5) You'll probably need an SVA if you're planning on taking on the road since you've made significant changes to the design.

[tigersaw]

Batteries are heavy and expensive. I've got some old 80A or 100A traction batteries in the garage somewhere, but they are REALLY heavy. Lithium Ion are light but mega bucks

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by keith_d

My random thoughts:

1) Narrower section tyres mean reduced rolling resistance. (Have you seen those skinny things the Prius uses?)

2) To get the range probably have to look at a fared design, but this is a trade off - more weight vs. less drag. So it depends on your route whether it's worthwhile.

3) You'll probably need some fairly expensive Li-ion batteries to get the power to weight ratio looking sensible.

4) For starting torque and regenerative braking you'll probably want to use DC motors. But regenerative braking can be hard on Li-ion batteries.

5) You'll probably need an SVA if you're planning on taking on the road since you've made significant changes to the design.

I have a bit of background knowledge with mobility scooters, powerchairs and the like.

Down a steep hill measured using coil type ammeter highest regen braking effort we managed with all the safeties bypassed was nearly 200A.
The range you gain with regen brake is massive. Mobility scooters don't actually use a mechanical brake, it's all done on the regen.

Another "green" consideration is the creation of the batteries in the first place...

TBH Im still not sure what you are trying to achieve.