Electric Ninja 250 Cafe

[sleventynineR]

So awesome. I rode a buddies Zero bike around a bit last year. Really enjoyable. The silence while sitting, and the lack of noise, except for the wind while riding are super hard to get use to. The only thing I had a hard time with was lack of shifting... but the constant power made up for it

I've never been on an electric bike, but there a number of really long straight hills where I live and I'll pop my bike into neutral and coast for a 1/2 mile; eerie how quiet it is, just the chain rattle. I'd like to feel it with the torque though.

 

[treitz]

I've never been on an electric bike, but there a number of really long straight hills where I live and I'll pop my bike into neutral and coast for a 1/2 mile; eerie how quiet it is, just the chain rattle. I'd like to feel it with the torque though.

The torque is somethin else. The same friend has a Tesla Model S he let me drive... Same story with just a bit more power It's just bizarre to twist (or step on) the throttle, have immediate power and not hear a damn thing. Our brains have been engrained for so long with the notion that sound & power are one in the same. So to have one without the other just doesn't quite compute.

 

[JPanichella]

Any plans for a Solar panel charging thingamabob?

You mean something on the bike or something at my house? Electricity is so cheap for me, I'm not really concerned. But I have also seen a bike with solar "fairings", made by a member of elmoto.net named Tony.

He had them on linear actuators so he could pop up the fairings electronically. Unfortunately the small surface area available on a bike makes the weight and complexity of the system a wash, but once solar cells gain efficiency and shed cost, this could make for a really cool "free" energy source.

 

[JPanichella]

The torque is somethin else. The same friend has a Tesla Model S he let me drive... Same story with just a bit more power It's just bizarre to twist (or step on) the throttle, have immediate power and not hear a damn thing. Our brains have been engrained for so long with the notion that sound & power are one in the same. So to have one without the other just doesn't quite compute.

Yeah, the torque is pretty wild. Climbing hills on this thing is a breeze too, it just keeps pulling. Electric drivetrains are really great, it's just the damned batteries holding everything up.

 

[DesmoBro]

I was thinking like a small shed u park it in with panels on the roof ....but shit adding wings might be interesting....

 

[TurdFurguson]

I was thinking like a small shed u park it in with panels on the roof ....but shit adding wings might be interesting....

Then he could just fly away too, where were going, we dont need roads.

 

[JPanichella]

It's like I'm going backwards.

 

[mathiask]

Awesome projects. Would love to learn how to make an electric conversion. I think it will be one of the few ways of conserving classic motor vehicles in the future. Something to make money with too if you're really good at it.

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

Neat geek bike, But...

I see major issues with the frame. The EX250 uses the motor as a stressed unit completing triangulation and that little gusset tube welded in hardly replaces it. Don't get me wrong... I'm not busting on battery bikes, but if your going to build this stuff you have to consider the structural integrity of the frame... One good front brake pull in a good sticky turn and you may find out what Twisted Sister means

 

[JPanichella]

Neat geek bike, But...

I see major issues with the frame. The EX250 uses the motor as a stressed unit completing triangulation and that little gusset tube welded in hardly replaces it. Don't get me wrong... I'm not busting on battery bikes, but if your going to build this stuff you have to consider the structural integrity of the frame... One good front brake pull in a good sticky turn and you may find out what Twisted Sister means

I've reviewed my engineering with an aerospace engineering consultant. He deemed the battery pack and motor assembly as structural. The construction of the batteries is unique, they have solid 6061 aluminum spacers in the corner, and the pack is held together with hardened steel 5/16" hardware. The motor plates are 3/8" 6061, and the smallest cross-section is .375" X .75" of solid aluminum. The gussets are .09" wall steel tubing.

The only evidence I've seen of a Ninja 250 frame bending severely is when somebody lost the 4 top engine mount bolts.

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

I've reviewed my engineering with an aerospace engineering consultant. He deemed the battery pack and motor assembly as structural. The construction of the batteries is unique, they have solid 6061 aluminum spacers in the corner, and the pack is held together with hardened steel 5/16" hardware. The motor plates are 3/8" 6061, and the smallest cross-section is .375" X .75" of solid aluminum. The gussets are .09" wall steel tubing.

The only evidence I've seen of a Ninja 250 frame bending severely is when somebody lost the 4 top engine mount bolts.

So the PC tower looking case full of batteries is hung from the motor mounts and is determined to handle push pull loads the same as the cases from the original motor... Huh, never gave it a thought.

Well the back tire is bald 8)

 

[JPanichella]

So the PC tower looking case full of batteries is hung from the motor mounts and is determined to handle push pull loads the same as the cases from the original motor... Huh, never gave it a thought.

Well the back tire is bald 8)

Hah, I have some new Pirelli MT75s on the way to take care of that. Thanks for the comment though, it's something I was extremely concerned with initially (the frame, not the rock hard bald tires).

 

[DohcBikes]

I see major issues with the frame.

I've reviewed my engineering with an aerospace engineering consultant.

HA!! Well okay then.

 

[JPanichella]

Back on this project, sorry for the lack of updates.

The frame, wheels, and all that have been powder coated. Also have a bunch of parts out to get painted and the seats been upholstered. Final assembly starts early next seek after the painted parts are dry. Lots of photos then.

 

[JPanichella]

Battery is completed, all of the powdercoated pieces are assembled. Still waiting on my painter.

 

[JPanichella]

Sorry about the photos, I was using google photos and they changed the way they generate their urls. Should work now.

 

[JPanichella]

Lots of little work left to do, but I accomplished the task of getting it rolling before I have to move at the end of the month.

 

[JustinLonghorn]

Rad.

 

[irk miller]

This is really, really cool. But I have to ask: Does that battery box take away from your lean angle? Stock, they have 55°. In that last pic, it doesn't look like you'll get to 40°.

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

The concept is cool for sure, truth... the giant radiator is not.