Mars motor, Sevcon controller.Before graphics.Mars motorCharger BankCharger plugs
OwnerFred Eich
LocationOrrington, Maine US map
Email email image
Vehicle1973 Honda CB 350 Four
Stock frame, ICE motor had been opened, tampered with, and abandoned. A friend paid $35 for the bike and donated it to me.
MotorMars Mars 3-Phase AC
Pancake-ish.
DrivetrainChain & sprockets, 520 chain. 10/48
ControllerSevcon PMAC 250 amp 72 volt.
Well built
Batteries5 MK Battery 50 amp each, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Gel
Old wheel chair batteries. Still good!
System Voltage60 Volts
ChargerVector VEC1087C
Cheap! I bought five, one for each battery.
HeaterGloves
DC/DC Converter DC2415 from EVparts.com
Cute little thing!
InstrumentationChinese amp meter, Curtis fuel gauge. Stock Speedometer. Digital Volt Meter.
Top Speed40 MPH (64 KPH)
Does it easily! Might go faster with different gearing, but we have lots of long hills so will leave it as is. 2-20-08 tried a 12 tooth front sprocket. It did go 45 MPH, but stuggled. I went back to the 10 tooth.
AccelerationThe first 4 feet you think it's slow, but then it keeps pulling and pulling. I haven't timed it, but top speed seems to come in under 10 seconds.
Range17 Miles (27 Kilometers)
Only have 4 miles on it so far. It's dead of winter here. Might be months before I can really use it.2-24-08 It warmed to 34*F so took turns with a friend & drove it stop & go one mile at a time. It made it 17 miles before fuel gauge said it was 80% drained.
4-17-08 55 miles on it now. It's working!
Watt Hours/Mile30 Wh/Mile
At 25 MPH it draws 25 amps, at 30 MPH, 30 amps. Top speed of 40 MPH draws 75 amps.
EV Miles
Start:23 Miles (37 Kilometers)
Current:23 Miles (37 Kilometers)
Total:0 Miles (0 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity2 adults if I add rear pegs.
Curb Weight348 Pounds (158 Kilograms)
A pound is 16 oz.
TiresStock
Conversion TimeA month of weekends and several nights.
Conversion CostAbout $1,500. The batteries were basically free.
Additional FeaturesCustom work: Drilled the front disc to save weight. That was before I realized a pound wasn't going to make much difference. The motor is mounted to the swingarm. That makes the chain want to go through the swingarm, so I let it. I notched the swingarm, welded the hole and added a brace on the outside. Rear battery boxes of aluminum, front ones of steel. Added cooling fins to controller and motor. Headlight from a 1946 Harley. Dashboard from 2005 Harley, forward reverse switch from 1946 Harley. Custom side pans and "tank" in the works. (just did it last night...2-5-08 & updated photo) Graphics to come. 2-9-08 Graphics done! 2-13-08 Battery charging system complete. The magic white smoke is contained! It alomst escpaped the first try. I wanted to use a common ground for all five chargers. THAT didn't work. BzzzzzPOP! No damage, went to 10 wires and life is good.
Fun project! I'm thinking helium in the tires will lighten it up. ;) Feel free to email me with questions: FrxdyATAOL.com. Replace AT with @ (stops spammers) Put EV in the subject please.

code by jerry