hi
anyone wish to weigh in on this design idea?
I want to use an older Kawasaki KZ400 motorcycle for a conversion (see my blog 'Electro-saki") and want to use the DC motor to spin the crankshaft (minus the rods, pistons etc.) to be able to use the 5 speed gear box.
The gearing from DC motor to crankshaft is what I'm wondering about.
any thoughts?
-Jeff
Have you checked out EV Album yet? I know I've seen it done and I definitely think gearboxes are a much missed opportunity in a lot of two wheel EVs - so I'll be interested in hearing about your progress.
"One day" we hope to design a custom two speed transmission for an m/c - it would be a "manual" but we'd likely control it via automatic actuators from the controller.
John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.
Yes, I've been watching the EV-album for quite some time now. That's where I thought I saw at least one person using the gearbox. BUt it looks like the Ev-Album has archived many of it's listings, as I only saw a few dozen on there last night.
I hope to get the KZ400 engine over to my favorite mechanic before Christmas to pull the cyclinders, rods, pistons and magneto/flywheel. After that we'll see how the GE motor lines up and what options look possible for gearing to the crankshaft.
My initial thought is the motor gear needs to be larger than the crankshaft - factor of 2 maybe? That's where I'd like to hear from someone who understands gear ratios.
-Jeff
Frank did this. He sounded happy, but he had modest goals. The trans would take up some of the potential battery space, but there are definite benefits to this.
http://www.theworkshop.ca/energy/suzuk_e/2/2.htm
There are over 175 motorcycles listed http://evalbum.com/type/MTCY with only a few using a transmission of some sort.
Those that have a tranny that arent listed on the evalbum are:
the Electric Harley Davidson manufactured by Transitron out of Honolulu, Hawaii back in 1978. This is a photo of one at the Wheels Thru Time Museum. http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v424/slodown27/1978%20Electric%20Harley/
Or, An electric three-wheeler using a tranny http://www.transtexastrucks.com/images/mf2007015.jpg
Or, Electric Jawa on a http://poormansev.com
Hi
I retained the original tranny on my conversion. a Kawasaki GPz550, see my page: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/david.walsh.net/ev1.html
...although I now think a 2 speed setup would be sufficient, if not better. My next conversion will feature a hi/lo tranny, details of the one I got ahold of:
SUZUKI LTF 230 hi/lo 1986 Suzuki LTF230G Shaft Drive ATV Parts- Hi/Lo Tranny
ATV (all terrain vehicle/quad bike)
Ratio 2.5:1 and 1:1
And I'd really rather like to eliminate the chain noise - shaft or belt drive.
I regretted cutting the frame too as that means an SVA test before road use.
Home builds are on hold ATM as I've bought a Vectrix :) - if you can't build 'em - buy 'em!
MOSFET Meltdown aka Dave.
Thanks for the advice, everyone.
I'm planning now to by-pass the crankshaft and drive the transmission input shaft.
I have found that the magneto side of the crankshaft (where I'd planned to connect) is a tapered shaft with no key way.
This seems like a 'weak-link' to me now, so since I've seen other people successfully drive the tranny shaft directly, and hold the oil in, I'd go with that plan.
I agree with you Dave that probably 2 gear hi/lo would be enough. My gear box also has 6 gears.
Jeff