The Electric Cycle Blog

When does an electric cycle become an electric motorcycle?

Well that all depends on who is telling you. And the reason for that is marketing. To a great extent, the definition of categories for electrical powered two wheelers is somewhat vague. Although most of us can tell whether a two wheeler is an electric scooter, an electric cycle or an electric motorcycle, the edges of each category are blurred. Manufacturers and distributors of electric two wheelers are very much aware that the product description and its styling have a big impact on how well the product sells. For this reason be sure you know what the bike is classified as if there is any doubt about it.

image source

One of the main definitions is that an electric motorcycle will travel at speeds in excess of 30 mph. This level of speed will in most countries, mean that you will require a license to ride it. And here enters the importance of laws, regulations and insurance. It is these deciding bodies that really determine what is what. An electric motorcycle will normally not have any pedals, being completely propelled by the electric motor and it is this aspect that will mean that you will have to insure it, license it and possible even tax it.

If you have or are looking at converting an existing motorcycle to an electric one then you will need to inform the relevant offices about the change in propulsion system.

Although you will most likely experience a drop in acceleration and top end speed in an electric motorcycle as compared to its petrol engine equivalent, you will still be surprised by its performance.

Here’s a video I found that shows just how good an electric motorcycle can be…

Technorati Tags: convert motorcycle to electric, electric motorcycle, powered bike

Convert your bicycle to electric on a shoestring,save a small fortune in rocketing motoring costs, fun project.

Duration : 0:4:58

Read more…

Technorati Tags: Eco, energy, free, friendly, green, transport

http://www.behot.com.au/hotebook.php Finished and Test Drive

Duration : 0:4:37

Read more…

Technorati Tags: bike, ebike, electric, riding

Sit back and ride as G Word correspondent, David Newsom finds out the benefits of an electric bicycle. Watch and see how to convert a conventional bike to a battery powered riding machine.

Duration : 0:1:48

Read more…

Technorati Tags: 4x3, bicycle, electric, format:, green, Planet, transportat, Word

$4.79/gallon gas getting you down, but there are too many hills between you and school or work to make bicycling an obvious solution. The Wilderness Energy Electric Conversion Kit may the perfect answer for you. Works on your existing bicycle or attach it to a new bike from PV Bicycling Center in Rolling Hills, California. Just 3 miles from Torrance, Lomita and Redondo Beach, this Specialized Bicycle outlet is in the Palos Verdes Estates area. Call 888-377-7441

Duration : 0:1:49

Read more…

Technorati Tags: battery, bicycle, bike, conversion, electric, electric-bicycle, energy, hub-motor-conversion, kit, operat, scooter, shop, wilderness

This recumbent bicycle was converted into an electric bike.

Duration : 0:0:39

Read more…

Technorati Tags: ativ, bicycle, bike, crystalyte, ebike, electric, recumbent

First video edition of my Electric Bicycle Conversion I’m doing for my IBO Personal Project. Not as cool as Gavin’s videos, but it’s a try.

New Video will be posted shortly because the bicycle has been completed a few weeks ago.

More info available at
evalbumDOTcom/1614

New Top speed of 50.4km/h going downhill.

Duration : 0:2:26

Read more…

Technorati Tags: bicycle, bike, conversion, electric, Essay, Extended, hybrid, IBO, IS, Personal, Project

I would like to know if it is possible to get a electric or gas motor on my bike to get a conversion vehichle. So if anyone knows how to do that could you please help me out?
I'm looking for a cheap alternative, like taking the motor from a electric chainsaw and using that. Does anyone know how to do something like that?

yeah you can put a chainsaw or lawn mower motor on it and gear it to your rear wheel. it's kind of tough if your not a gear head.

plus, depending on your state it could be counted as a motor vehicle with all the insurance deals.

I would just use the bike what it was intended for.

powered by Yahoo answers

Welcome to “Convert Your Bike to Electric”. This 68 minute recently produced DVD introduces the typical bike owner to the joys and benefits of riding an electric bike. It shows how to convert your bike into an e-bike easily, quickly and inexpensively.

Why would you want to convert your bike to electric? That’s a question many people ask. Isn’t a bike just for exercise? I’m not lazy; why do I need an electric motor to get around?I don’t know if I have the mechanical skills to do the conversion. Will I have to hassle with getting license plates and insurance? I don’t know if I can afford another motorized vehicle. All good questions and concerns. Let’s address them one at a time.

First, did you know that at least a third of regular bikes end up sitting unused because many owners find pedaling them too much work and stress? With an e-bike, if you’re willing to pedal lightly, you’ll have a strong, silent partner pulling you uphill, against headwinds or several miles home after a long day at school or the office. If you choose to “work up a sweat”, you may, but you can also ride silently along streets, sidewalks and trails. The video’s host compares riding an e-bike to gliding silently along on a sailboat. You can barely hear the powerful electric motor mounted in the front wheel. E-bikes allow you to enjoy the individual level of exercise that is appropriate for you. If you’re in the mood to pedal part of the trip, you can choose to do so. If you just want the motor to pull you along effortlessly the entire trip, that’s your choice also. No more worry about travelling too far from home and having to struggle to pedal all the way back. They’re also great for riders in their 60’s and 70’s.

Are you tired of traffic jams with your car or SUV? With an e-bike you can go around traffic jams using sidestreets, trails and even sidewalks. And speaking of going around, you’ll ride around every filling station, jammed with unhappy people filling their huge tanks with increasingly expensive gas. To charge a typical ebike’s batteries costs about ten cents and one charge will take you up to 20 miles. So effectively, you’re traveling using electric which is equivalent to paying about ten cents per gallon of gas. Try that with your SUV or four wheel drive. Are you old enough to remember how hard it was getting gas back in the 70’s with the oil embargo? E-bike owners will have a dependable way of getting around, if a gas shortage occurs again.

And speaking of gas, what sense does it make to drive a two or three ton vehicle to the store to pick up a loaf of bread? With an e-bike, you can make that same trip for pennies without pumping a single gram of carbon into the atmosphere. E-bikes are zero emission vehicles and are extremely energy efficient.

As far as skills needed for the conversion, if you have an ordinary 20-24 inch bike and a handful of common tools, the conversion takes no more mechanical skill than changing a tire on a car. And the readily available kit used in this DVD only cost $349, batteries included. Try buying a motorcyle or scooter for that price. And lastly, did you know that in most states you don’t need a license or insurance to operate an e-bike? You’ll not only save money, but an e-bike can also cut down on expensive car repairs and insurance.

“Convert Your Bike to Electric” is hosted by film maker, video producer and bike enthusiast, David L Welch. It is divided into easy-to-follow lessons such as:

Legal issues related to owning and operating an e-bike
Advantages of owning an e-bike
A discussion of the assembly booklet
Taking the parts out of the box and examining the parts and tools needed
Advantages and disadvantages of various battery types
Actual step by step conversion of a new bike to electric
A test ride “maiden voyage”
Concluding remarks and suggestions

E-bikes are fast becoming a trend as more people learn their many benefits. For example, worldwide, about 10 million e-bikes were sold in 2005, and that number is expected to climb to 25 million by 2009. In the US alone, 200,000 are expected to be sold by 2009. “Convert Your Bike to Electric” will take you step by step through the entire conversion process, from opening the conversion kit box to taking your finished e-bike for a test ride. We hope you enjoy watching our DVD and we know you’ll enjoy riding your new e-bike for many years to come.

“Convert Your Bike to Electric” is available exclusively from Shining Star Video Productions. This DVD is not available in any stores. You can order this DVD by phoning 219.242-8663 or emailing Shining Star at dlwjugoso@yahoo.com. Shining Star accepts money orders, cashiers check or Paypal(sorry we do not accept credit cards at this time). Your DVD will be mailed to you the next possible day after receiving payment.

Duration : 0:9:46

Read more…

Technorati Tags: battery, bicycle, bike, conversion, convert, cruiser, dc, ebike, efficient, electric, energy, motor, transportation

http://www.behot.com.au Building an electric bike without a kit! I decided I want an electric bike, but the kits can be very expensive… I wanted one under $AUD150, so I’ve set out to do so.

Duration : 0:5:4

Read more…

Technorati Tags: bike, budget, change, cheap, climate, conversion, diy, ebike, economy, electric, from, home