OwnerChris Needham
Owner's Other EV1976 Honda EV V1
LocationWashington, District of Columbia US map
Vehicle1976 Honda 1976 Honda CB 550F
This is version 2 of my bike. I wanted to document each as they're really very different designs. Hopefully, this will spare someone my learning curve stumbles.
MotorBriggs and Stratton Etek-RT Permanent Magnet DC
The 150A continuous, 72V Etek that spins either way. Will mount in motor cage rather than on swing arm as it won't fit there.
DrivetrainDirect chain. 12t to 48t. Planning to drop top speed from 50 mph on V1 to 48 mph on V2. Suspect minor changes around this region make a big difference on range.
ControllerAlltrax AXE7245
Customer service is worth the premium over Kelly.
Batteries6 MK Battery 8AU1, 72.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, AGM
Batteries deliver 23Ahrs at 45 minute rate according to MK. From V1: I expect to use 18Ahr (27Ahr*48V/72V) to/from work. Goal is to stay under 75% DOD and hit 250 cycles, or a new pack every spring. Dropping top speed a few mph should make this work.
System Voltage72 Volts
Charger
"Select a charge" for AGM, Gel, and Flooded. May try gel batteries someday. On-board charger will be nice.
DC/DC Converter TBD
InstrumentationCycle Analyst
Top Speed45 MPH (72 KPH)
Lowering top speed from V1, but extra range and lower current draw should reduce voltage sag and give slightly higher top speed at end of commute. I want 45mph at end of commute.
AccelerationExpecting much more pep.
Range17 Miles (27 Kilometers)
Expected. Will only go over 14 miles a charge on rare occasions.
Watt Hours/Mile85 Wh/Mile
Based on direct measurement of V1.
Seating Capacity1 adult
Curb Weight400 Pounds (181 Kilograms)
A guess. About 150lbs of batteries on this one and ~50lbs lighter than V1 overall, with about 2x the power.
Tiresstock, but new.
Conversion TimeLess than V1 hopefully.
Conversion CostStarting from V1:
Etek-RT $550
Batteries $400
Alltrax $600
Charger $400
BattEQ $225
TBD Converter $200

So approximately $2,200 with shipping, before eBay magic.
Additional FeaturesBattery life of 3,500 miles will make this much more practical than V1. BattEQ should help make them last longer as well.

I will also design an additional (optional) battery rack that bolts / welds onto passenger foot peg area of bike in case I wildly underestimated range. That way I can just parallel the batteries to get my range. Putting the 12V system on a seperate battery would also give a small boost and I'll get my horn back. Handling shouldn't suffer much, but I won't be leaning over in curves anymore.

V1 Parts will go on our broken dirtcart. Geared to 25mph it'll be a blast.
Project is on hold for other priorities. May be a hoverbike by the time I get around to this one.

code by jerry