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• Very cool... Exactly the type of project that I can't get enough of...

  Posted by: Frank62 on February 14, 2007 at 3:37 AM

• Bidwells designs are excellent. I own a converted Honda F4 with twin eteks, altrax controller and CVT based on the Bidwell El Ninja series. It's the batteries though that'll kill you. A good PMG 132 will set you back close to a grand, 500 or so for the controller, 800 or so for batteries...etc, etc.

  It's a project in all fairness that costs about $6000 to do right.

  Oh, and you absolutely need a good MIG welder to do this since you have to split the frame.

  Posted by: Tercero on February 14, 2007 at 6:29 AM

• Forgot to mention. Etek is no longer available from Briggs and Straton. And what's pictured is the PMG (German) motor.

  Posted by: Tercero on February 14, 2007 at 6:31 AM

• You can convert a bicycle into an electric scooter for much less cost.

  Posted by: Wulf_7 on February 14, 2007 at 3:56 PM

• How is it 'zero emissions'? Unless he is using solar power to recharge the batteries, the power station just has to burn more coal/oil/gas to provide the electricity. The same goes for all these new fangled cars that you recharge from the power point at home. When will people realise this?

  Posted by: CaptainCR on February 14, 2007 at 9:45 PM

• Thanks for the comments. I've gotten this reaction regarding "zero emissions" from several people. I do not claim that this motorcycle has NO polution footprint - no vehicle could make that claim. But the definition of zero emissions refers to the output of gasses from a vehicle while in operation or stationary - generally whatever comes out of the tailpipe is considered "emissions". Since electric vehicles have no exhaust at all, they are considered "Zero Emissions". Check this wiki entry for more details:
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-emissions_vehicle

  Posted by: Sparky415 on February 15, 2007 at 9:16 AM

• the energy produced at a power plant is a lot more efficient and clean. burning the same amount of gas that we use in our cars at a power plant yields more energy. cars only take advantage of the expansion that occurs during combustion. power plants on the other hand use several stages of turbines to suck as much energy as possible out of the combustion. not to mention the fact that because of size limitations on cars there isn't that much we can do to scrub out the really harmful stuff out of emissions. power plants have no limitations on size, so they are able to clean the exhaust a bit more.

  Posted by: mrChew on February 15, 2007 at 4:36 PM

• as a side note, what kind of range would this thing have with the four batteries he used?

  Posted by: mrChew on February 15, 2007 at 4:37 PM

• The batteries I've used were scavenged from other projects and have been abused for years, so the range is limited to about 15-20 miles. I was told that using new high performance sealed batteries will deliver up to 50 mile range - but I'll believe it when I see it.

  Posted by: Sparky415 on February 15, 2007 at 9:45 PM

• I am doing this same conversion and I bought the plans for the EL chopper ET. There is way too much frame modification in the plans. I am using a Rebel 450 and there is enough room in the engine compartment to mount all 4 batteries without cutting the frame at all. I will have to mount the batteries then figure out where the controller and charger will go but I am confident I can fit it all.

  Posted by: Paul51480 on July 31, 2007 at 4:06 PM

• have you considered using lithium ion battery packs? smaller, lighter, safer, longer lasting, and more powerful. plus, you could plug it in with a small power converter. has anyone tried this? if so, do you have any plans??

  Posted by: kNotch11235 on November 14, 2007 at 10:46 AM

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