Carbon tank and digital instrumentation
OwnerPete Melvin
LocationHuntington Beach, California United States map
Email email image
Vehicle1988 Honda Hawk NT650
MotorBriggs and Stratton ETEK Permanent Magnet DC
DrivetrainChain and sprockets. Larger rear sprocket than stock
ControllerAlltrax 7245
72V, 450 amp
Batteries22 Thunder Sky LFP60, 3.30 Volt, Lithium-Ion
60ah lithium iron phosphate

System Voltage72 Volts
ChargerZivan NG1
12 amp, 72V
DC/DC Converter Wall Industries
100 watt 72v-12v dc-dc converter
InstrumentationAmmeter/voltmeter combo
Digital bicycle speedo, odometer
Top Speed60 MPH (96 KPH)
Range50 Miles (80 Kilometers)
Range at my avg speed of about 40 mph
Watt Hours/Mile95 Wh/Mile
EV Miles
Current:2,700 Miles (4,344 Kilometers)
 
    As of 1/12/2010
Seating Capacity2 adults
Curb Weight370 Pounds (168 Kilograms)
TiresAvon Azaro sport touring
Conversion Time6 months
200 hrs but my wife thinks more
Conversion Costabout $4500 with original AGM batteries

adding about $3000 lithium batteries Oct 08
Additional FeaturesLED lights except for headlight (saves battery energy and permits a smaller dc-dc converter)

Carbon fiber tank lid with storage beneath

This was a fun project and now I use the bike as my daily commuter

Update Oct 26, 2007 - Motor brushes wore out at 800 miles and I replaced.

Update Oct. 31, 2008 - mileage 1650 miles and everything except batteries doing fine. My second set of brushes are lasting much longer than the original set for some reason. Original AGM batteries are dying and range is down to about 5 miles now. I am getting some Thundersky Lithium iron phosphate batteries, and a custom BMS made by Genasun. New battery system and BMS are currently being bench-tested and should be installed within a month. I hope to get about 45 miles with the new batteries and to save about 50 lbs in weight.

Update March 9, 2009 - Lithium batteries in and I have about 200 miles on them. The extra range is great and I can use the motorcycle for more trips than I used to. Genasun (WebPage made a battery management system and tested the batteries for me. They do very nice work and are now offering their BMS to the public.

Update January 12, 2010 - Replaced ETEK motor brushes again after putting about 1900 miles on them. First set of brushes lasted only 800 miles. I don't accelerate as hard as I did when the bike was new, and that may be a factor.

code by jerry