http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/05/electra-racing/

and he did very well in the race....

Good link, thanks.

It would be interesting to get a technical view of just what goes into that thing ?

50bhp is less than what a race 125cc GP machine has these days, a much slimmer again machine would be of benefit - if they could do it... ?

Too quiet, It would'nt wake the whole street up at 5.30.
AC.

What you are missing is the 120 foot pounds of torque and the hi rpm smoothness and linear predicable rheostat 'throttle' response. But is limited in 'gas' tank size for how long it can sustain its power band vs mass to lug along. The hp will be the limiting factor of top speed but not acceleration up to it.

Ms Peel will require a big block with fair boost to approach 120 lb torque and expensive drive train to take it, but 100's of miles range.

Modern variable frequency controllers are better than throttles for linearity.

What made me throw up in my mouth was when the Cafe Racer TV show called it a cafe racer. Stupid is as stupid does...

They don't seem to run a brace from the top of the head stock to the frame, I always thought that would give problems handling ?

Cash

I don't know if you guys are familiar with Hammerhead in Philadelphia. He did an electric bike a year or so ago - the Volta. I have met him and seen his work - it's top-notch stuff. He has a good eye for design and great mechanical/engineering skills.


LINK:

http://www.temp.hammarhead.com/

As kids we took a V8 starter motor and hooked up to pulley in mini bike
with a car size battery. It was pure on/off like the ancient racers and would leap right out from under in a wheelie rooster tail till the battery got low and eventually fired the starter in a few days of play. When/if fuel cells come online and cheaper super capacitors, then we will see the electrics take over combustion power and range. Then fancy stereo PA systems needed to let people know you are coming or about to pass. Expect two wheel drive to boot.

hobot wrote: Then fancy stereo PA systems needed to let people know you are coming or about to pass.

I like the sound of this bit (pun intended).

One day you can go to work sounding like a WW2 Spitfire Merlin, the next day like your favorite rock band (as many already do !), the next a herd of elephants, a garbage truck, an air raid, etc etc. Possibilities are endless.

So will they ban this bit, or make it compulsory so you don't run over pedestrians. ?

hobot wrote: Expect two wheel drive to boot.

Yes, building the motors into the wheels seems the obvious choice, since no transmission is needed. More room for batteries under the hood then.
Slide-in, slide-out design possibilities for the battery pack too, always have a charged one ready to go.

Then the cycle of design will have come full circle, engines being built into the wheel many times in the past.

Assuming folks are going to buy them, which seems the big hurdle at the moment...

Did I see that an electric superbike just missed out on a 100+ mph lap of the IoM.

Only been racing 3 years.
The petrol engine took how long to do that - 1907 to 1957.

The way of the future - if only they made the right noises...