plug into the future - lithium iron phosphate battery
This is a motorcycle-style "invasion of the Body Snatchers ".
Lithium in lightning cars
The electric super bike looks like r1.
It's even handled like a Yamaha liter bike.
But its internal organs have been screwed out.
The whole engine is gone.
The same is true for tailpipes, radiators, gas caps, transmission and clutch.
Instead: Yellow battery Wall, ac regenerative motor, electric throttle and three-
The Pronged plug, which extends out of the frame, is connected to a standard socket.
Welcome to the world of electric motorcycle modification--a micro-
This phenomenon has been infiltrating for at least the last decade, mainly in independent motorcycle shops, like the one I visited in Auckland.
Less pollution than their gas and lower operating costs
Electric bikes look like a good idea.
But until recently, there was still a problem with their heel: large volume, low power --to-
Weight ratio of lead
Acid batteries push them. Using lead-
Acid, the builder had to choose between the turtle and the rabbit.
They can be hot, of course-
An electric bike runs 100 miles an hour, but it only runs a few miles, and it doesn't work for anything but racing.
To get 25 miles of life from charging, most builders choose small-
Limit the power output to wimpy 50-
That's why e-bikes are known for being as slow as golf carts. Enter lithium.
Specifically, lithium iron phosphate.
One of several forms of lithium on the battery market, these lithium-ion batteries, the so-called life-span batteries, have only recently become affordable for ordinary people.
They are still four times the price of lead acid, but they are half the weight of lead acid and last 10 times, making the bike travel three times at a charge.
Unlike the Tesla electric sports car, the R1 conversion uses only 28 batteries, while the Tesla electric sports car is powered by thousands of miniature batteries.
90 amps each. hours at 3. 2 volts and 6. 6 pounds.
All in all, their weight is lighter than taking everything off the bike to make it electric.
Although most of the batteries are concentrated in Mondrian-
The esque block where the engine used to be, they also hide under the seat where the exhaust unit used to be, to simulate the weight distribution of the inventory r1.
This is where the similarities begin to blur and separate.
Turn on the bike, no sound--
Security risks.
Riding it, the only noise I heard was the spin of the chain and the laughter of my own surprise.
As I roll on the throttle, the torque instantly peaks and stays there.
There's no need to change because it's-speed;
No clutch.
In addition to the usual tach and speedo, digital dashboards include amp, volt, and battery discharge information.
The potential horsepower of the bike is 70 horsepower.
Top speed: 100 mph, though I was told not to go too fast because of: 1.
The bike was only recently built and did not have its documents sorted out. 2.
I was riding a bike in a heavily guarded area of Auckland. 3.
The only thing that prevents the battery from sliding into the front wheel is a temporary strap.
It would be nice if I visited one day.
This is the time when bicycle manufacturers plan to install battery brackets.
In fact, after just a few minutes of riding, I stepped on the brakes and 120 pounds of the batteries were dead --
Rushed to the front fender and locked my front end as I rolled towards the parking sign.
After all, Lightning lithium is just a prototype--
A vision of idealism. Using a track-
Beat 1999 Yamaha R1 for about $15,000 in total.
This is the idea of Richard Hatfield and Todd Kollin, who have been making electric bikes in the past. their-prime gas-
Over the past six years, he has used electric racing in the store electric racing sport in Auckland.
Now, the store makes custom conversions to aging interiors
Burn the bike for about 30 days.
In a few years, the pair hope to use a custom chassis, as well as a smaller, more powerful model of $6,000 to $8,000, to create a bicycle production version at a comparable price.
They won't be the first to try.
In recent years, all kinds of electricity
Motorcycle manufacturers have launched prototypes with exotic and promising launch dates far away, but they never seem to achieve sales.
Lithium prices continue to fall as gas prices spiral up, and Hatfield and Colin are unlikely to be the last. susan.
Carpenter @ latimes.
Com * lightning Motors' 1999 Yamaha R1 electric conversionPrice: $15,000 power system: lithium iron phosphate battery powered by AC regenerative power, 550-
Maximum torque: 80 lbs-amplifier system
FeetMaximum rpm: 8,000 potential horsepower: 70 estimated range: 80 miles under 65 miles/weight: about 400 Charge time: 7 hours