electric moped coming together
After testing and tuning the electric moped, I took it apart to make a few improvements. Now it’s coming back together in a more finished looking way. There’s still some details to work out. and it’s gonna get taken apart and put back together a few more times. but things are moving forward.
Looking great man!
Thanks!
I really like that tank/seat combo.
thanks, they fit really well together. I’m also going to modify the seat some to make them fit even better
great work mate. Can’t wait to see it running!
Thanks! I gotta make a movie of it running.
This looks awesome. I had some questions about cost and performance, since I’m considering a similar project. Can you drop me a line via email?
Thanks! email sent
hey rufus! how’s this thing coming? i’m kinda considering something similar too, how deep into the dollars are you with that motor and the batteries?
Hi Dean. Sucks this project is on hold. I wanna finish it soon. I haven’t bought a battery yet. I borrowed one from a friend who was helping me with some of the electrical stuff. The motor ($100) , modified controller ($100?) and cycle analyst. ($100) a throttle and a few wires and things. That’s it. The big cost is the battery. So Maybe $300. I think less tho, I forget all the prices. Let me know what your project is going to be. I also have the electric peugeot project. That ones on hold too!
Hey rufus, great work! Gonna electric convert my friends ciao as a hobby project, you provide a lot of nice information! Whatever I search about for my project I seem to end up here haha =)
I havent decided what motor and controller to chose yet – my own gas powered ciao have 70kph top speed and can accelerate enough to wheelie from start, thats basically the only 2 requirements =) – you feel that your chosen parts can can accomplish this? It looks like a c80-100 motor, but cant find what controller you use, or battery/voltage spec? =) Id drop you a mail with these questions but by keeping the dialog open we might be able to help others too =)
/Regards, Patric
Hi Patric
No wheelies or 70kph with this set up. I was able to get it to go just under 40mph while still being able to pull up hills pretty well. That’s all in the variator.
The stuff I used fairly cheap and not that powerful. If you want power it gets expensive fast!
The motor is an outrunner type, it’s a giant model airplane motor, I got the first one at Hobby King, but I don’t think they have them anymore, This place also has them – http://en.xingyaohua.com/html/play/413.html It’s pretty powerful for it’s size and the shaft is a perfect length for use with the vespa variator. Just have to grind down one flat side to fit the variator. Also check this motor out! – http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=14427
The controller is a pretty normal electric bicycle controller with modified mosfets by a guy named Lynn. It’s small and easy to hook up and tune but it will only be able to handle a limited amount of power. You can find out more about this and other controllers and everything at http://endless-sphere.com/forums/
Then there’s batteries, the most expensive part of the project. I used a pack made up of this type of cells – http://www.southtop.com.cn/Aspde__EnProductShow.asp?ID=152
I’m sure there must be some better batteries, controllers and motors out there, it’s been a couple years? But maybe not? To make a powerful electric moped or motorcycle, you gotta learn how to make and modify the stuff yourself, or buy a bunch of really expensive stuff that plugs together and works
I don’t really know to much about how electricity works, to me it’s still a mystery. I evoked the sprit of Nikola Tesla while working on this project, but even then I needed quite a bit of help. My friend Ilia from EBikes SF – http://www.ebikessf.com/ made this project possible.
Good luck
Rufus
Hi, it looks great! Did you make the curved frame by yourself? I plan on a similar project but I want the exact same frame, while all bicycle frames I find are classical types. If you did it yourself, do you have an idea where I could read about doing frames like this (I guess a steel profile bending is done with some machinery)? Also, what diameter are the tires? THanks 🙂
Hi. It’s a Vespa Bravo moped frame modified to work better. Tires are 17″, Cheers!