Phali - I still have a number of other bikes - none of them are Hogs though...
However, those of us (GT40s.com) still around, myself included I hope, will still be messing around with IC cars, turbochargers, etc. etc. if we can still afford and can find gasoline.
Alan - I'm still turning $$$ into Hydrocarbons at a rate that makes most Green folks turn red...
I'm just open to other forms of propulsion.. The lure of electric - to me - is quite strong... Maybe it's because I can't afford to build my own version of the Chrysler Turbine car - although I came very close to buying a Max-Time Allison 250 for just such a project..
Awesome! Where I can learn about building these? What is the voltage so I can figure power?
That is further than I thought. I suppose you don't need a transmission at all?
The voltage in mine is 72 (6 - 12v Yellow Top Optimas)... My controller is good for 450 AMPS.. I've gleaned a lot from the Web..
EV Forum;
Electric Car Forum and Electric Vehicle Community
And DIY EV Forum;
DIY Electric Car Forums Site Home
Of the two forums, I think the second one has more information that's usable for projects like mine..
There are also books on how to perform the conversions.. I've got one called Secrets of El-Ninja that has some good info.. A number of people make kits - their margins are relatively high in the grand scheme of things, but you would also get some level of support from them.
One thing that turns away a lot of people is the cost of a motor...
Transmission -
No, you don't need one. However - to get really good performance as well as decent top end, you'll need one. My bike is good for about 70 MPH, however, it is really screaming well above the rated speed of the motor. It will not maintain that speed for long without throwing solder and coming apart.
I'm currently trying to source a relatively lightweight transmission that will take the weight and torque.. I may end up stripping the transmission from the old 600 engine in the Kawasaki if I don't find something else.. Shame to destroy a nice engine like this - but - what do you do....
Sorry for getting so far off topic...
Back to Hybrids -
My 2007 Camry Hybrid has a 140 HP 4 cylinder ICE and 90 HP worth of AC Traction motors... The car carries 5 full sized (we're talking 6+ foot) adult men. It also delivers 44+ MPG when driven nicely and 40 MPG when driven more aggressively..
Now fuel economy is one thing - but performance is another...
I instruct at a performance driving school up at Brainerd International Raceway.
We used to use our own vehicles to give instructional rides.. With 4 of us in the car (all full grown men 180+ pounds) we took the Camry up to 130 MPH before the computer speed limiter reduced the throttle setting (it's drive by wire).. The performance was actually quite exhilarating and surprised us all..
Some magazines have tested the straight line performance of this car in the mid 15 seconds for the quarter mile. Don't look now, but those are times that the Corvette was turning in the early 80s...
Well - That's my story and I'm stickin' to it....