Project Aims

  • <$10,000 conversion
  • Top speed of +100kph
  • Range of +100km
  • Make a bike that is able to be registered
  • Make the bike look like the standard petrol version

Design Specification

  • Regenerative braking
  • 1990 Suzuki Across
  • 216VDC @ 15A (~3.2kw) VRLA battery pack (~90kg) for proof of concept
  • 3.3kw 3 phase induction motor

Thursday, September 27, 2007

1990 Suzuki Across

I found a 1990 Suzuki Across at a wreckers, I bought the complete bike minus engine for $800. It had been dropped with most of the damage being done to the front panels. It needed a good going over and a new paint job (the picture left is after the panel repair and respray, its not all together yet).

The original colour was black with a metallic fleck through it. I think the new paint will make it standout a bit more. I am also replacing the screws that hold the panels on with stainless steel allen key screws.

I cleaned up the frame and touched up the paint. Also recovered the seat.

There is heaps of room where the engine and petrol tank was for the electric motor, batteries and controllers.

2 comments:

Damnedfish said...

Well... How did you go?

I am thinking of undertaking a similar project, after plenty of research, but I thought it is a great bike, especially with huge Front Trunk, where, if you dont need extra distance storage as usual, but if you want the range, drop a battery pack in.

Would love to know how you got along.

Damnedfish

Bradley Jarvis said...

Hi Damnedfish,
Sorry for taking so long to reply, I have not finished and have had to put the project on hold. The bike is the perfect choice I think (apart from making one from scratch. The tank fits a helmet so it would be a bit small for batteries for extra range, but it allows you to carry some stuff and have pannier for extra batteries fo instance. There is plenty of room once the motor/tranmission and fuel tank (under the set) is removed for batteries and motor. I reckon I should have no problems fitting a 5kwh battery pack.