My Electric Cafe
OwnerKit
LocationDenver, Colorado United States map
Email email image
Vehicle1994 Suzuki GSX-R WP
MotorD&D Motor Systems, Inc. Series Wound DC
ControllerAlltrax AXE-7245
Batteries24 GP30EVLF (30Ahr), 0.00 Volt, Lithium Iron Phosphate
System Voltage84 Volts
Charger BMS 900W
DC/DC Converter
10 amp
InstrumentationDime City speedometer/odometer, Cycle Analyst HC
Top SpeedCurrently geared for acceleration, but looking change out the front
sprocket to try some more speed. Strong off the line, but not as
much pull as my old Speed Triple. Still playing with the
programming of the controller.
Range40 Miles (64 Kilometers)
EV Miles
Current:126 Miles (202 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity2 adults
Curb Weight450 Pounds (204 Kilograms)
A '94 GSX-R weighs 456lbs dry, and 515 full of fluids. Roughly
200lbs of that is frame/suspension/wheels. Add 125lbs of
batteries, 70lbs of motor, and 50 lbs of miscellaneous "C's
(controller, contactor, charger, converter, cables...) and I've met my
goal of being under the weight of the stock bike.
TiresPilot
Conversion TimeMany winter weekends.
Conversion CostI intentionally built this on a shoestring, reusing
and repurposing parts from several different bikes. Suzuki,
Triumph, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Montessa - they're all in there.
Additional FeaturesEarly on in my design brief I decided that I didn't want my electric
motorcycle to look like a gas bike. So instead of hollowing out the gas
tank and using it as storage space for components I used a large
heatsink with 2.5inch fins. I carved it down to evoke the curves of an
old Lyta cafe racer tank and hinged it to allow access to the space
beneath. The rear subframe was hacked apart and inverted to lower the
seating and better follow the bone line I envisioned. The battery
box is made of old cast off computer server casings. They were a pain to
work with, but give a very solid visual weight to the bike and have
great texture. I still wanted to be able to show off the inner workings,
so I installed a lexan cover over the batteries.
Many thanks to Noah and all the folks at ElMoto.net for inspiring and
encouraging this project.

code by jerry