Honda CX500 Motorcycle Converted To Electric

2017 - Volume #41, Issue #6, Page #20

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There’s no engine noise coming from Ryland Erdman’s motorcycle because it’s equipped with an electric golf cart motor powered by 16 lithium batteries. He says the electric cycle can go up to 60 mph with performance comparable to a 200 to 250cc motorcycle.
    Erdman converted the 1979 Honda CX500 motorcycle 5 years ago and says it still runs great.
    The 3 1/2 hp., 48-volt, 3,600 rpm golf cart motor is located directly in front of the rear wheel. An adapter connects the motor to the motorcycle’s driveshaft. Two stacks of batteries fill in the space where the engine used to be. They consist of 16 100 amp-hour GBS lithium batteries purchased at an online golf cart shop and are enclosed in a sheet metal frame. An on-board charger is mounted in the main battery box.
    The motorcycle is equipped with a battery management system with CAN bus and a 15-amp battery charger, both from Elite Power Solutions (www.elitepowersolutions.com). Recharging time is 6 to 7 hours.
    “It’s a simple, clean system without a lot of complex moving parts, oily grime, and maintenance requirements. The motorcycle still has its original gas tank, just to preserve the style of the bike,” says Erdman. “I built it because I didn’t want to spend countless hours rebuilding carburetors or doing tune-ups on the first nice day of every spring. I used as many off-the-shelf components as possible, without having to track down hard-to-find parts. There’s nothing exotic about the drivetrain from an electric golf cart, but it’s reliable and easily available.
    “I did a lot of research before I built it. I read everything I could find at www.evalbum.com, which features thousands of electric vehicles.”
    He says the most fun part about riding his electric motorcycle is the acceleration. “High torque is available from a stand-still so it’s always ready to go,” says Erdman. “It has a range of about 35 miles in town and 50 miles at highway speeds.
    “My biggest surprise after building it was how much more courteous other drivers are on the road when they’re around an electric motorcycle because it’s so quiet.”
    An Alltrax AXE 4844 300-amp, 48-volt motor controller allows the motorcycle’s Magura electronic throttle – which replaces the original gas throttle - to precisely vary the motor’s speed and power. A Surepower 10-amp, DC-DC converter (48-volt to 12-volt DC) reduces the battery’s voltage from 48 volts to 12 volts in order to operate the motorcycle’s lights and turn signals.
    Erdman spent about $3,500 on parts. “The batteries and battery management system and charger cost about $2,400. The rest was for other electrical components and the motor,” he says.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ryland Erdman, 1310 1/2 Main St. E., Menomonie, Wis. 54751 (ph 715 529-3522; rylanderdman@gmail.com; www.blackboxbikes.com).

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Honda CX500 Motorcycle Converted To Electric AG WORLD There’s no engine noise coming from Ryland Erdman’s motorcycle because it’s equipped with an electric golf cart motor powered by 16 lithium batteries He says the electric cycle can go up to 60 mph with performance comparable to a 200 to 250cc motorcycle Erdman converted the 1979 Honda CX500 motorcycle 5 years ago and says it still runs great The 3 1/2 hp 48-volt 3 600 rpm golf cart motor is located directly in front of the rear wheel An adapter connects the motor to the motorcycle’s driveshaft Two stacks of batteries fill in the space where the engine used to be They consist of 16 100 amp-hour GBS lithium batteries purchased at an online golf cart shop and are enclosed in a sheet metal frame An on-board charger is mounted in the main battery box The motorcycle is equipped with a battery management system with CAN bus and a 15-amp battery charger both from Elite Power Solutions www elitepowersolutions com Recharging time is 6 to 7 hours “It’s a simple clean system without a lot of complex moving parts oily grime and maintenance requirements The motorcycle still has its original gas tank just to preserve the style of the bike ” says Erdman “I built it because I didn’t want to spend countless hours rebuilding carburetors or doing tune-ups on the first nice day of every spring I used as many off-the-shelf components as possible without having to track down hard-to-find parts There’s nothing exotic about the drivetrain from an electric golf cart but it’s reliable and easily available “I did a lot of research before I built it I read everything I could find at www evalbum com which features thousands of electric vehicles ” He says the most fun part about riding his electric motorcycle is the acceleration “High torque is available from a stand-still so it’s always ready to go ” says Erdman “It has a range of about 35 miles in town and 50 miles at highway speeds “My biggest surprise after building it was how much more courteous other drivers are on the road when they’re around an electric motorcycle because it’s so quiet ” An Alltrax AXE 4844 300-amp 48-volt motor controller allows the motorcycle’s Magura electronic throttle – which replaces the original gas throttle - to precisely vary the motor’s speed and power A Surepower 10-amp DC-DC converter 48-volt to 12-volt DC reduces the battery’s voltage from 48 volts to 12 volts in order to operate the motorcycle’s lights and turn signals Erdman spent about $3 500 on parts “The batteries and battery management system and charger cost about $2 400 The rest was for other electrical components and the motor ” he says Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Ryland Erdman 1310 1/2 Main St E Menomonie Wis 54751 ph 715 529-3522; rylanderdman@gmail com; www blackboxbikes com

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