Constructing an Electric Motorcycle for Commuting & In-Town Driving

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the construction of an electric motorcycle intended for commuting and in-town driving. Participants explore various aspects such as power supply, safety, budget considerations, and design challenges, while also contemplating the feasibility of achieving high speeds with a homemade electric vehicle.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to build an electric motorcycle for short commutes, emphasizing the need for sufficient power to handle steep inclines.
  • Another participant suggests using Lithium-Iron-Phosphate batteries for their high capacity, mentioning a specific battery configuration for a longer range.
  • Concerns about safety are raised, particularly regarding the risks associated with high speeds on a self-built motorcycle.
  • Some participants question the practicality of achieving speeds of 80 mph with consumer-available parts, while others humorously reference the idea of time travel at such speeds.
  • A suggestion is made to consider alternative designs, such as an electric go-kart, which may be safer and more feasible than a motorcycle.
  • One participant advises starting with a smaller electric scooter to avoid complications and dangers associated with higher power limits.
  • Another participant mentions that electric motorcycles are being produced in large volumes, suggesting that purchasing one may be more economical than building from scratch.
  • There is a discussion about the potential for building a four-wheel drive version of a go-kart, indicating interest in exploring different vehicle types.
  • Some participants propose that a lower-speed electric motorcycle could be a viable option for use in bike zones.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of opinions regarding the feasibility and safety of building an electric motorcycle, with some suggesting it may not be a good idea while others believe it could be worthwhile if designed for lower speeds. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views on the project’s viability.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight various limitations, including budget constraints, safety concerns, and the complexity of achieving desired performance specifications. The discussion reflects a range of assumptions about the capabilities of electric motorcycles and the challenges of DIY construction.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in electric vehicle construction, hobbyists exploring DIY projects, and those considering alternatives to traditional motorcycles may find this discussion relevant.

ƒ(x)
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I've been trying to think of a hobby and stumbled upon the idea of constructing a motorcycle. The catch here is that it would have to be electric--I hate having to use gas stations. I would only use it for commuting to school (a little over 2 miles each way) and in-town driving (who knows, anywhere up to 10 miles each way). But, I live on a hill that is fairly steep, so the motorcycle would have to be powerful enough to handle about an 8 to 10 degree incline for about 1/4 or 1/5 of a mile. Even though I'd stay close to home, I'd like to make it go as fast as possible.

Now, the most difficult part of this will undoubtedly be the power supply. Lithium battery packs are probably the only things I'll be able to obtain--I'm using my own money for this, so the budgets pretty low.

Before I plunge head-first into this project, I thought it would be wise to get the opinions of some science minded people.

One last thing, also before I start I'd like to have the math worked out (engine output, power requirements, braking, maximum weight, all that stuff). I don't know any formulas outside of the ones from my high school physics class and don't know if those are applicable to this situation.
 
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What is your budget? I got into Lithium-Iron-Phosphate batteries (LiFePO4) and they seem to be the highest capacity batteries you can get. A small 20 Ah / 36 Volt pack would run you for 350-400 bucks. You would need about 4 of these for a 50-70 mile range
 
If I really got behind this and decided that it would be a good idea...about 3k, maybe more.

I'm also concerned about safety, since its a motorcycle (I live in the US, people here drive like idiots)
 
ƒ(x) said:
If I really got behind this and decided that it would be a good idea...about 3k, maybe more.

I'm also concerned about safety, since its a motorcycle (I live in the US, people here drive like idiots)

Yeah you better drive fast, I don't break for scooters
 
cronxeh said:
Yeah you better drive fast, I don't break for scooters

hahaha. Is it possible to make an electric motorcycle using items available to your average consumer that goes 80 mph?
 
ƒ(x) said:
hahaha. Is it possible to make an electric motorcycle using items available to your average consumer that goes 80 mph?

Yes! But if you can get it to 88 mph you can travel back in time and tell yourself to study hard, get a job, and buy a car :biggrin:

In all seriousness, yes you can get it up to 90 mph with right parts and design, but for a rather short time. How short a time and all the needed calculations are rather time consuming and expensive and unfeasable to even ponder about. I would not recommend riding around on a scooter faster than 30 mph.
 
cronxeh said:
Yes! But if you can get it to 88 mph you can travel back in time and tell yourself to study hard, get a job, and buy a car :biggrin:

I take it you arent a motorcycle fan
 
ƒ(x) said:
I take it you arent a motorcycle fan

I am, but you must be suicidal to want to go 90 mph on a scooter that you are going to build yourself with high school physics knowledge. Are you going to include breaks on this thing?

Watch this hilarity at 3:25 onward:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZfueVHVnkI


This dude, stretched out flat on the ground, is epically hilarious.
 
cronxeh said:
I am, but you must be suicidal to want to go 90 mph on a scooter that you are going to build yourself with high school physics knowledge. Are you going to include breaks on this thing?

Watch this hilarity at 3:25 onward:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZfueVHVnkI


I was going to strip down a gas powered one and replace the motor with an electric one and put the batteries where the gas tank was.
 
  • #10
ƒ(x) said:
I was going to strip down a gas powered one and replace the motor with an electric one and put the batteries where the gas tank was.

OK but how are you going to connect the motor to the driveshaft? Chain? Or how about having the motor built into the wheel? Its going to get very complicated, needless to say tolerances for errors are rather small. This thing will almost likely fail and stall or have the chain ripped off and cut your leg.

My advise to you, forget motorcycle concept entirely. It sucks in the winter, it sucks in the rain, and it sucks under a brick falling off a building. Rather try building an electric powered batmobile. Start your concept around the safest most comfortable bucket seat you can imagine with double seatbelts and crash gate, then put that on an alloy frame, no backseat, just a fireguard cage for 200 pounds worth of LiFePO4 batteries, and all that enclosed in a Porsche Boxter looking exterior, sport breaks, sport suspension, front and side airbags, air conditioning system, liquid cooling for the motor, trunk space.

Hey while you are at it, why not enroll in Mechanical Engineering program?
 
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  • #11
Really?
 
  • #12
damn...i really want an electric bike
 
  • #13
ƒ(x) said:
damn...i really want an electric bike

So buy one on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Custom-Built-Motorcycles-ZF2000ZK-FLYBO-Electric-Scooter-Battery-operated-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1e5dfd20cbQQitemZ130425888971QQptZUSQ5fmotorcycles
 
  • #14
I'm 17...can't do a mech program
 
  • #15
My advice is just to start out with a small electric skooter and try to keep in under 5kW. When you start going over that power limit things tend to get complicated, dangerous, and expensive. Also, 3k isn't really much of a budget to build an electric skooter that works well but it is a place to start.
 
  • #16
3k was more of a lower boundary..if I take the time to do this--I'm thinking car/go-kart kind of thing now--I'd want it to be good.
 
  • #17
From an article in the Sept '10 issue of Pop. Sci. the current state of electric motorcycles.

http://www.motoczysz.com/main.php?area=home"
 
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  • #18
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2JkMCzjTVE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bERjkSTYOdU
 
  • #19
You know, I think I might have to do a 4-wheel drive version of that go-kart. That looks like just tooooooo much fun! Course I'd probably never be able to get it away from Tsu.
 
  • #20
Ok, so everyone I've talked to thinks that a motorcycle is a bad idea. But, I really want to build something--anything that helps with college applications would be great, but a car is my primary focus right now.

I'm quite new to this, in case you couldn't tell. Any tips?
 
  • #21
i don't think electric motorcycle is a bad idea, but electric motorcycle going at 80mph? Even my car can't go that fast xD

but hey if you design a electric motorcycle going around 20~25 mph and use it in bike zone, that would be something worth trying
 
  • #22
Sounds like the OP wants an something less than a full motorcycle. The E-scooter/mopeds are being produced in large volumes now and the prices are good:

[PLAIN]http://img.meijer.com/assets/product_images/styles/xlarge/1002004_XB502_A_400.jpg
http://www.meijer.com/s/x-treme-xb-502-electric-bicycle/_/R-132974?cmpid=prodads
$750, 3/4 HP, 20 MPH max
You'll find I think that you can't come anywhere close to building a similar quality vehicle yourself from piece parts for anywhere close to that price, so if you attempt the project it will be for the experience and not to save any money.
http://ngeloco.com/yamaha-ec-03-electric-scooter-review-price-specs.html
 
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