Hey all, I'm considering a DIY electric motorcycle after reading the instructables piece that recently went up.

Just wanted to get some input from you guys as to where some good places to start looking would be? Haven't had too much luck on craigslist. Also what kind of prices am I looking at? And should I be concerned with any other features (besides the ability to work with it).

I'm kind of thinking of a frame from late 80's to present, preferably a sportbike "crotch rocket" build. I've also never riden a motorcycle, so bear with my noviceness. I'm fairly good with wiring and controls, I'm more concerned with the mechanical aspects of it.

Thanks in advance for your help.

7/21/2008 11:35:32 AM

Also at what point would an electric bike need a title? cause last time i checked all electric motors displace less than 50cc

7/21/2008 11:42:39 AM

I think I remember seeing a CBR frame for sale in on greensboro Craigslist.

7/21/2008 11:45:09 AM

Yeah I just looked at that, and while its a good start, its way out of my price range for this DIY project.

My commute to work is only 3 miles, so you can see my motivation for something that will "get me there" cheaper than driving my mustang. Also it'll be a fun project. But cost is a huge factor here, and I'm not above going to a junkyard to get a frame (if they have extra bike frames laying around)

7/21/2008 11:52:18 AM

It would be alot cheaper to buy a motorcycle with a blown engine than to build one from the frame up. A previously running bike would allready have suspension,wheels,lights ect,ect......

7/21/2008 12:14:04 PM

- you are looking for a rolling chassis, not a frame

- 751 salvadge in durham will have a shitton of older rolling chassis, but no crotch rocket frames there

- you are not going to save that much money on gas if your commute is only 3 miles to justify the expenses of such project

- 3 miles is close enough for a bicycle, so if the roads allow it, i'd look into that option, as well as scooters

- yamaha r1 chassis seem to be popular with electric crotchrocket ppl, because of the width

7/21/2008 12:16:48 PM

^
Thanks, rolling chassis then, that's what I was looking for.

And I'm not just doing it to save costs. Hell if that was my main goal I would bike to work as you said. But I'm a very DIY oriented person, this is something I'm interested in building to learn about how motorcycles work. I know that sound contrary to my "budget" spiel above, but I just want the cheapest parts that'll work while getting to do this project. Thanks for the other info though, I'll take a look into that place.

[Edited on July 21, 2008 at 12:46 PM. Reason : edit]

7/21/2008 12:45:30 PM

I would learn to ride a motorcycle before you set off on something like this. Motorcycles have a lot of interesting handling characteristics that you would never know of with out riding... Like counter steering. If you change the frame geometry any without knowing what you're doing, you can get into all sorts of weird handling problems. Also, depending on the motor/batteries, the torque level could be greater than your typical crotch rocket, and hence, even more likely to kill you.

At the very least, please take the msf or something.

7/22/2008 4:31:14 PM

^haha you mean like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o15EALghp0

7/22/2008 5:34:44 PM

7/22/2008 11:18:50 PM

electric cars and bike have a potential to be so unconvensional, yet most companies just stick batteries and an electric motor on top of a regular ole chassis. how unimaginative...

7/23/2008 9:28:42 AM

^^ PAINfully boring.

7/23/2008 9:49:50 AM

and dorky and not very usefull

his 6:1 gear ratio limits the bike to 45mph and it drains a charge in "a very short period"

7/23/2008 9:56:34 AM

btw nice loading techniques

7/23/2008 11:46:59 AM