Well explained and detailed. I'm mechanical inclined and thinking about that projects for years now, so I'm gonna make it happen. Thanks for providing such relevant informations. Passionate people are very inspiring, and you are one of them ! So, first, Iet's look for a nice "frame"...
If you do a quick search on Craigslist in your area there is a good chance you will find at least a few “rolling frames” available. These are basically complete motorcycles minus the engine which you can get for 200-500, and could offer a good starting point for projects.
Here's a link to the motor video I did: ruclips.net/video/YRikg0NOfLI/видео.html Here's a list of places you can order parts from: 300mpg.org/projects/electro-metro/ev-parts-suppliers-links/
If you add weight for batteries & then the passenger too .. Its is heavier right ? If you drive along without exhaust noise, is it more likely someone steps/pulls out in front of you. ? There are plenty of bikers who claim super loud exhaust is safest.
That is 100% true. When stock my bike was very quiet. Several times people would pull out in front of me because A) motorcycles are just harder to see compared to cars and B) they simply could not hear me. A new set of Vance and Hines changed that last pat. Loud pipes can, in fact, save lives!
Hello sir, I am just curious if you would be charge the batteries if the motor was spinning in reverse. I'm fairly certain this is how hybrid cars charge their battery portion when breaking. I'll have to check it out! :) I think we could seriously boost the mileage of this bad boy. Very impressive! I am looking to try to do one as cheap as possible, due to being a broke college student. I'll let you know my success as soon as I do so! :)
What you are describing is known as "Regenerative Braking". In general, you don't "spin the motor backwards", but rather put mechanical energy IN to the motor from the momentum of the vehicle. That momentum being converted into electric energy slows the vehicle. Regenerative braking is best for boosting range in the city, where there is lots of starting and stopping. This motorcycle used a permanent magnet DC motor, which would be completely appropriate for use as a generator (and regenerative brakes) but the motor controller didn't support this feature. I also didn't want to add any additional expense and complexity for what I thought would be relatively small gains in range.
Hi, while fuel and maintenance savings on electric cars are significant compared to ICE cars, does this same savings effect apply to motorcycles? I've seen someone suggest that the savings for electric motorcycles are very small since motorcycle fuel consumption is little. Any ideas?
I suppose it just really depends how much you ride a motorcycle. Some motorcycles get surprisingly BAD fuel economy. Older bikes are also carbureted and have next to nothing for emissions controls. Even IF savings on fuel wasn't an advantage, electric bikes are nearly maintenance free, which DOES save time and money. Beyond that, I really can't tell you how amazing it is to ride an electric motorcycle. It is QUIET compared to gas bikes and also COOL. I mean that literally. I'm amazed at how uncomfortable gas motorcycles can be on a summer day because of the HEAT they make exploding gasoline! A person really just needs to try an electric cycle. One you do, there's nothing you'll miss about a gas one!
so to go 40 -45 miles, I would need 8 batteries presumably? I'm guessing solar wouldn't be powerful enough to charge the bike in 12 hours and only need 4 batteries?
Electric motorcycles typically use about 100 watt-hours per mile. It's not that you want to think of "how many batteries", but rather the total usable capacity of an entire battery pack. To travel 40-45 miles, you would want a battery pack with a usable capacity of 4 to 5 kilowatt hours. That might be something along the lines of 8-10 Nissan Leaf cell modules. Solar can be plenty powerful. The solar on my garage peaks at 5.4kW. So, it could charge that pack in about an hour! For a smaller array, it's just a matter of doing some math. If you are thinking of a single small solar panel mounted right on the bike, no, that will not be a fast enough charger for any practical use.
Can the existing wiring harness used on the e moto project? I m interested in transforming my 2T moto into full electric. Also which e motor has about 23hp? thnak youy ffor reolies .feeling inspired.
Hi Ben, wondering if you are willing to weigh in on donor bike choice? I have been vacillating on CB350, CB550 or CB750 (all 1970’s). I only need stock acceleration and max range of 35mi is ok, no FWY. CB750 (490lbs) is a bit big for me, but lots of room for batteries. CB350 (370lbs) is ideal, but will be tough to get even 48V in there. I AM willing to spend on LiFeP04 to make it work. Am I delusional or can I make a quick, short range, 36V bike using CL350 (CB350 scrambler) as donor?
How many batteries you can fit inside the frame is probably one of the biggest restrictions in converting a motorcycle to electric. A rule-of-thumb estimate says that a reasonably ridden electric motorcycle can go 10 miles per kWh of battery. Try making a cardboard mockup of batteries that will get you 5kWh and see if that will fit (along with the motor and other parts) in the motorcycle you are looking to convert.
I can do this.... no problem. My problem is...looks are STILL a major factor for a bike and a bunch of car batteries crammed into the frame looks hoaky. (Sorry... you did a great job. ) I am looking into lithium Ion to see what can be done.
Many sport bikes have fairing which covers the engine area anyways. People often convert those to electric and then reinstall the fairing. At first glance you can't even tell the bike is electric. The joy of a custom project is that you can do it however you want. For example, a friend of mine has been making plastic gas tanks. They are light and cheap, but retain the original look of the motorcycle. ruclips.net/video/_fif_e-mtzo/видео.htmlm57s
Sure, you can convert any style of motorcycle to electric. Some might be better than others though. It will be tough to get great range out of a very small cycle, as there's little room for batteries. A very large and heavy cycle will be less efficient. Sport bikes are popular for conversions because the aluminum frame is light weight. Find a cycle you like, and convert that one to electric.
Hub motors tend to be heavy, low-powered, and expensive compared to a more typical motor. They also add "unsprung" weight. You also can't change the gearing on a hub motor, so they tend to have either poor acceleration or a lower top speed. Using a motor with chain and sprocket gives you plenty of choice in gearing, and the ability to change the gearing if you wish to. Hub motors DO free up space in the frame for more batteries. My Vectrix electric motorcycle uses an AC hub motor on the rear wheel. Just search "Vectrix" on this RUclips channel for more on that bike.
@@BenjaminNelsonX I had an eProdigy mid-drive bicycle with a 500W motor (Maximum allowed in Canada). The gears worked great in multiplying the torque, extending the battery range and the ability to climb hills. It would virtually climb a tree. I did think, however, that when the power was increased significantly, e.g. several KW that gears were no longer necessary - rather like an electric car or motorcycle. Great point about the unsprung weight, especially off-road. I can also see you have far more options with a mid-drive motor even after you have fitted it. Kudos on the build, you have done an excellent job.
I have a shaft drive Yamaha from the 80's I want to convert. I'd prefer to pay somebody to do it (I'm old). Any ideas who I could talk to that would handle it in north Texas?
You might want to try contacting a local chapter of the Electric Auto Association. I see one called "North Texas Chapter". eaa-1967.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=225&club_id=222684
It cost him $2,000 cuz he hadn't done it before and he had done this years ago. Him sharing his knowledge makes it a lot easier a lot cheaper. There's been people who convert their motorcycles for less than $500
I've seen electric motorcycles built for anything from free (just using literally junk,) up to $10,000 and more. If you just want to learn and experiment, get an old frame, a motor from a junk yard, and any batteries you can find. If you want to do something nicer, with plenty of range and power, learn all you can about motors and lithium batteries. Hopefully, this series, based on an old project I did, gives you at least a starting point for you to keep learning and design and build your own project, no matter what your budget is!
BenjaminNelson well I can say you sure did for me. I'm going to be doing the whole junkyard searching thing. I also have lots of access to mini golf carts even new ones that have been considered totaled by the owners but the batteries are still good. I appreciate you sharing this knowledge personally.
I have 2006 Yamaha TMAX (500cc) Scooter. It needs a new crankshaft sadly, I was thinking of using as a EC conversion project and was wanting to keep the variator. Anyone covered a TMax or maxi scooter before?
Back it the day i asked a biker why do you take a toy on the big highway? he said " engine loudness is a measure of safty factor in a biker's world" i thought and triple XL with highly visiblility jacket to.
If a person truly believes that "Loud Pipes Save Lives", there's nothing stopping you from adding a loud sound-system to an electric motorcycle and blasting engine noise or other noises. At least UNLIKE a gas motorcycle, you would always have the option of turning the noise OFF. The couple of times that I went camping with this motorcycle, it was nice to have the quiet while going through the campground at ten at night!
Hub motors can eliminate the chain and free up space in the frame, but they have disadvantages as well. They add to the "unsprung weight", they cannot be easily re-geared, and then tend to be overpriced or underpowered. Hub motors do seem to work well for scooter type cycles. For an example of a lithium cycle with a hub motor, check out my Vectrix super-scooter. ruclips.net/p/PLmHss3DBZUinx-DxMLnax485Alj5i5Lcn
I suppose that someone who was really good at welding could make his own motorcycle frame and then use parts from a junker for the wheels and and suspension. I had a friend that welded up a frame for a home built airplane, so for him a motorcycle frame would be duck soup.
Well, this is a project from 15 years ago now... For a more modern cycle project with lithium batteries, check out our Vectrix playlist! ruclips.net/video/jfhf1NQobWY/видео.html
Hi Frank. For the most part, this project was built in my garage with only very simple power tools like a corded drill, and jig saw. Later, I did some work on it at the Milwaukee Makerspace, which is a co-op where people have a membership to share workspace, tools, and other resources. There were some better metal-working tools available to me, but I still didn't use anything as complicated as a lathe or mill. Having a basic welder and practicing using it goes a long way. Building your own electric motorcycle really doesn't take that much for "expensive tools and machines", but you would want to have the basics and some dedicated space to work on your project. If you can, check into a "Hackerspace" or "Makerspace" type group in your area.
30 miles? So I can get to the shop... but not back home :/ No point me doing this till battery ranges are vastly improved as bikes have such restrictive space for them.
Hi The Mighty Dash, please keep in mind that this particular motorcycle project was build 10 years ago now. My next electric motorcycle had up to a 90 mile range, with used Nissan Leaf cells. Zero brand electric motorcycles have over 100 mile ranges per charge. Also, if you can charge at work, you could double your range. My Vectrix was set up to fully charge in under 2 hours.
The point of these videos isn't to say "here's the right motorcycle for you.." it's to give you the general information you need to be able to design and build your own electric motorcycle. When you work on your own project, you can make it as fast and long range as your time/skills/budget allow! Good luck on YOUR project!
This was an older project. For a cycle project with lithium batteries (salvaged from a Nissan Leaf!) please check out the Vectrix cycle rebuild! ruclips.net/p/PLmHss3DBZUinx-DxMLnax485Alj5i5Lcn
Am i detecting a wisconesian accent up der aye? Yaaah. der it iz ! Wisconsin plates ! Ohhh ehhhh ahhhh. Dat d be da frozen mout accent ! Just a fib down here.
Man, how time flies!
Well explained and detailed. I'm mechanical inclined and thinking about that projects for years now, so I'm gonna make it happen. Thanks for providing such relevant informations. Passionate people are very inspiring, and you are one of them ! So, first, Iet's look for a nice "frame"...
Thank you sir
You're a great teacher! Thank you so much for making these videos.
You are welcome!
If you do a quick search on Craigslist in your area there is a good chance you will find at least a few “rolling frames” available. These are basically complete motorcycles minus the engine which you can get for 200-500, and could offer a good starting point for projects.
You are the best
where is a good place to find a motorcyce for cheap, and non running. ive been having difficulty finding one with a bad engine to convert.
Craiglist. For frames and stuff
Update me on how it goes
Thanks for doing this set of videos
Will you be able to make it waterproof and perform off road climbing hills etc
Excellent! So happy I found this video, Thanks for sharing the wisdom Benjamin, subscribed!
Very cool
Hi Benjamin, Awesome project ! Could you tell us what was the cost in terms of parts for the transformation?
Total project cost was about $2,000.
Of course, how much you spend is up to you, depending on what components/speed/power/range, etc. you want.
Can you talk about motors? What is best and where to get them, Controllers , Li Ion and where to get them..THANKS!
yes this would be really helpfull
Here's a link to the motor video I did: ruclips.net/video/YRikg0NOfLI/видео.html
Here's a list of places you can order parts from: 300mpg.org/projects/electro-metro/ev-parts-suppliers-links/
Please upload this video and your 2018-2019 content to BITCHUTE
If you add weight for batteries & then the passenger too .. Its is heavier right ?
If you drive along without exhaust noise, is it more likely someone steps/pulls out in front of you. ? There are plenty of bikers who claim super loud exhaust is safest.
That is 100% true. When stock my bike was very quiet. Several times people would pull out in front of me because A) motorcycles are just harder to see compared to cars and B) they simply could not hear me. A new set of Vance and Hines changed that last pat. Loud pipes can, in fact, save lives!
Hello sir, I am just curious if you would be charge the batteries if the motor was spinning in reverse. I'm fairly certain this is how hybrid cars charge their battery portion when breaking. I'll have to check it out! :) I think we could seriously boost the mileage of this bad boy. Very impressive! I am looking to try to do one as cheap as possible, due to being a broke college student. I'll let you know my success as soon as I do so! :)
What you are describing is known as "Regenerative Braking". In general, you don't "spin the motor backwards", but rather put mechanical energy IN to the motor from the momentum of the vehicle. That momentum being converted into electric energy slows the vehicle.
Regenerative braking is best for boosting range in the city, where there is lots of starting and stopping.
This motorcycle used a permanent magnet DC motor, which would be completely appropriate for use as a generator (and regenerative brakes) but the motor controller didn't support this feature. I also didn't want to add any additional expense and complexity for what I thought would be relatively small gains in range.
Hi, while fuel and maintenance savings on electric cars are significant compared to ICE cars, does this same savings effect apply to motorcycles? I've seen someone suggest that the savings for electric motorcycles are very small since motorcycle fuel consumption is little. Any ideas?
I suppose it just really depends how much you ride a motorcycle.
Some motorcycles get surprisingly BAD fuel economy. Older bikes are also carbureted and have next to nothing for emissions controls.
Even IF savings on fuel wasn't an advantage, electric bikes are nearly maintenance free, which DOES save time and money.
Beyond that, I really can't tell you how amazing it is to ride an electric motorcycle. It is QUIET compared to gas bikes and also COOL. I mean that literally. I'm amazed at how uncomfortable gas motorcycles can be on a summer day because of the HEAT they make exploding gasoline!
A person really just needs to try an electric cycle. One you do, there's nothing you'll miss about a gas one!
so to go 40 -45 miles, I would need 8 batteries presumably? I'm guessing solar wouldn't be powerful enough to charge the bike in 12 hours and only need 4 batteries?
Electric motorcycles typically use about 100 watt-hours per mile. It's not that you want to think of "how many batteries", but rather the total usable capacity of an entire battery pack.
To travel 40-45 miles, you would want a battery pack with a usable capacity of 4 to 5 kilowatt hours. That might be something along the lines of 8-10 Nissan Leaf cell modules.
Solar can be plenty powerful. The solar on my garage peaks at 5.4kW. So, it could charge that pack in about an hour! For a smaller array, it's just a matter of doing some math. If you are thinking of a single small solar panel mounted right on the bike, no, that will not be a fast enough charger for any practical use.
Can the existing wiring harness used on the e moto project? I m interested in transforming my 2T moto into full electric. Also which e motor has about 23hp? thnak youy ffor reolies .feeling inspired.
Hi Ben, wondering if you are willing to weigh in on donor bike choice? I have been vacillating on CB350, CB550 or CB750 (all 1970’s). I only need stock acceleration and max range of 35mi is ok, no FWY. CB750 (490lbs) is a bit big for me, but lots of room for batteries. CB350 (370lbs) is ideal, but will be tough to get even 48V in there. I AM willing to spend on LiFeP04 to make it work. Am I delusional or can I make a quick, short range, 36V bike using CL350 (CB350 scrambler) as donor?
How many batteries you can fit inside the frame is probably one of the biggest restrictions in converting a motorcycle to electric.
A rule-of-thumb estimate says that a reasonably ridden electric motorcycle can go 10 miles per kWh of battery. Try making a cardboard mockup of batteries that will get you 5kWh and see if that will fit (along with the motor and other parts) in the motorcycle you are looking to convert.
@@BenjaminNelsonX Good advice Ben, thank you.
You are awesome! More videos!
Imagine a hybrid, combining the range reliability of gas, plus the added flexibility of an electric torque boost...
I can do this.... no problem. My problem is...looks are STILL a major factor for a bike and a bunch of car batteries crammed into the frame looks hoaky. (Sorry... you did a great job. ) I am looking into lithium Ion to see what can be done.
Many sport bikes have fairing which covers the engine area anyways. People often convert those to electric and then reinstall the fairing. At first glance you can't even tell the bike is electric. The joy of a custom project is that you can do it however you want. For example, a friend of mine has been making plastic gas tanks. They are light and cheap, but retain the original look of the motorcycle. ruclips.net/video/_fif_e-mtzo/видео.htmlm57s
I m following u
Thannnnnnnnkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk yyyyyyyyyyyyyooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
hi sir
This is really intresting so i subbed and how much did you pay in total cause maybe i would want to buil it myself someday
This electric motorcycle was built for about $2,000.
@@BenjaminNelsonX thats cheap tbh i expected it to be more
Does it matter what "style" of bike is used for the conversion? Like, would a sport or dirt bike be possible to be made electric?
Sure, you can convert any style of motorcycle to electric. Some might be better than others though. It will be tough to get great range out of a very small cycle, as there's little room for batteries. A very large and heavy cycle will be less efficient.
Sport bikes are popular for conversions because the aluminum frame is light weight.
Find a cycle you like, and convert that one to electric.
Why not use a high-power hub motor rather than a chain drive with all the extra maintenance?
Hub motors tend to be heavy, low-powered, and expensive compared to a more typical motor.
They also add "unsprung" weight.
You also can't change the gearing on a hub motor, so they tend to have either poor acceleration or a lower top speed. Using a motor with chain and sprocket gives you plenty of choice in gearing, and the ability to change the gearing if you wish to.
Hub motors DO free up space in the frame for more batteries. My Vectrix electric motorcycle uses an AC hub motor on the rear wheel. Just search "Vectrix" on this RUclips channel for more on that bike.
@@BenjaminNelsonX I had an eProdigy mid-drive bicycle with a 500W motor (Maximum allowed in Canada). The gears worked great in multiplying the torque, extending the battery range and the ability to climb hills. It would virtually climb a tree. I did think, however, that when the power was increased significantly, e.g. several KW that gears were no longer necessary - rather like an electric car or motorcycle.
Great point about the unsprung weight, especially off-road. I can also see you have far more options with a mid-drive motor even after you have fitted it. Kudos on the build, you have done an excellent job.
Good job ben
Your videos are so inspiring!
Thank you!
I owned a 1982 kz440 and it had carburetor issues so I sold it... guess I should have kept it to convert to electric...
I had a matching parts bike. I could never get that thing running because of the carb!
is it waterproof from rain?
Well going by this guy's mechanical skills that are plain to see I'm sure it's waterproofed .
Where are you located
Wisconsin, United States.
hi, ben...try it for supra x125 (Indonesia) to electric
the frame is small for lead acid battery
I have a shaft drive Yamaha from the 80's I want to convert. I'd prefer to pay somebody to do it (I'm old). Any ideas who I could talk to that would handle it in north Texas?
You might want to try contacting a local chapter of the Electric Auto Association. I see one called "North Texas Chapter". eaa-1967.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=225&club_id=222684
You wanna ship something to Canada nd il buy it
what is the mileage per charge and top speed??
hello, one question, how much does it cost you to convert the motorcycle to electric?
This project was about $2,000 total.
Daniel Gomez .....if it costs 2000$ ...wait for few more months ....Indian torque electric motorcycle company will be launching it at $2000 ....
It cost him $2,000 cuz he hadn't done it before and he had done this years ago. Him sharing his knowledge makes it a lot easier a lot cheaper. There's been people who convert their motorcycles for less than $500
I've seen electric motorcycles built for anything from free (just using literally junk,) up to $10,000 and more.
If you just want to learn and experiment, get an old frame, a motor from a junk yard, and any batteries you can find.
If you want to do something nicer, with plenty of range and power, learn all you can about motors and lithium batteries. Hopefully, this series, based on an old project I did, gives you at least a starting point for you to keep learning and design and build your own project, no matter what your budget is!
BenjaminNelson well I can say you sure did for me. I'm going to be doing the whole junkyard searching thing. I also have lots of access to mini golf carts even new ones that have been considered totaled by the owners but the batteries are still good. I appreciate you sharing this knowledge personally.
I have 2006 Yamaha TMAX (500cc) Scooter. It needs a new crankshaft sadly, I was thinking of using as a EC conversion project and was wanting to keep the variator. Anyone covered a TMax or maxi scooter before?
The TMax was one of those I used to drool over, why does it need a new crankshaft? That is something that should have lasted 20 years.
Back it the day i asked a biker why do you take a toy on the big highway? he said " engine loudness is a measure of safty factor in a biker's world" i thought and triple XL with highly visiblility jacket to.
If a person truly believes that "Loud Pipes Save Lives", there's nothing stopping you from adding a loud sound-system to an electric motorcycle and blasting engine noise or other noises.
At least UNLIKE a gas motorcycle, you would always have the option of turning the noise OFF.
The couple of times that I went camping with this motorcycle, it was nice to have the quiet while going through the campground at ten at night!
Im keen to convert an 110cc petrol engine moped/motobike
into an ebike
My goal is 49-50cc, 48-72v, 120km distance
Recharge 10-12 hours
Hub motor controller and battery pack no need for chains and stuff
Hub motors can eliminate the chain and free up space in the frame, but they have disadvantages as well. They add to the "unsprung weight", they cannot be easily re-geared, and then tend to be overpriced or underpowered.
Hub motors do seem to work well for scooter type cycles.
For an example of a lithium cycle with a hub motor, check out my Vectrix super-scooter.
ruclips.net/p/PLmHss3DBZUinx-DxMLnax485Alj5i5Lcn
I suppose that someone who was really good at welding could make his own motorcycle frame and then use parts from a junker for the wheels and and suspension. I had a friend that welded up a frame for a home built airplane, so for him a motorcycle frame would be duck soup.
Time for lion batteries!!!
Well, this is a project from 15 years ago now...
For a more modern cycle project with lithium batteries, check out our Vectrix playlist!
ruclips.net/video/jfhf1NQobWY/видео.html
I too can build anything with a fully equipped with expensive tools and machines in a garage workshop...lol
Hi Frank.
For the most part, this project was built in my garage with only very simple power tools like a corded drill, and jig saw.
Later, I did some work on it at the Milwaukee Makerspace, which is a co-op where people have a membership to share workspace, tools, and other resources. There were some better metal-working tools available to me, but I still didn't use anything as complicated as a lathe or mill.
Having a basic welder and practicing using it goes a long way.
Building your own electric motorcycle really doesn't take that much for "expensive tools and machines", but you would want to have the basics and some dedicated space to work on your project.
If you can, check into a "Hackerspace" or "Makerspace" type group in your area.
30 miles? So I can get to the shop... but not back home :/ No point me doing this till battery ranges are vastly improved as bikes have such restrictive space for them.
Hi The Mighty Dash, please keep in mind that this particular motorcycle project was build 10 years ago now. My next electric motorcycle had up to a 90 mile range, with used Nissan Leaf cells. Zero brand electric motorcycles have over 100 mile ranges per charge. Also, if you can charge at work, you could double your range. My Vectrix was set up to fully charge in under 2 hours.
buy 2 then...
As he stated, it's a city bike, in the city 30 miles is pretty useful, but if you're more out there, it just won't work.
BenjaminNelson do you have a build video for your new bike?
No epoxy is eco-friendly.
It is too slow and no millage
The point of these videos isn't to say "here's the right motorcycle for you.." it's to give you the general information you need to be able to design and build your own electric motorcycle. When you work on your own project, you can make it as fast and long range as your time/skills/budget allow! Good luck on YOUR project!
@@BenjaminNelsonX thanks
@@BenjaminNelsonX use some 3.7 volt batteries
This was an older project. For a cycle project with lithium batteries (salvaged from a Nissan Leaf!) please check out the Vectrix cycle rebuild! ruclips.net/p/PLmHss3DBZUinx-DxMLnax485Alj5i5Lcn
P
One word ebike
e-Bikes are great too! We love 'em!
Am i detecting a wisconesian accent up der aye? Yaaah. der it iz ! Wisconsin plates ! Ohhh ehhhh ahhhh. Dat d be da frozen mout accent ! Just a fib down here.
Yes, but we like to make fun of people even FURTHER north!
Othertimes I joke that we are just "Canada Lite".
...if the project cost $2000 ..then I would prefer to buy company made ..i.e torque T6x .......