stretch, our first custom electric motorcycle — night shift bikes

stretch

Starting with an 1987 Honda Rebel 250, we followed John Bidwell’s manual on how to jam the guts of a golf cart drivetrain inside an easy-to-find chassis. John’s example of sharing what he’d learned was an important model of sharing and learning in community. I hadn’t welded since college, so I was a little rusty. I hadn’t measured much since either, so the bike itself ended up a little longer and lower than planned, and than was really safe. Sold to friends who parted it for their own first electric build.

the bike

Our first build was heavy, slow and loads of fun. Up front is a pair of extended forks to keep the extra stretch of the frame off the ground. Jammed in the back, within the swing arm is the Etek motor; this keeps the geometry of chain drive super simple. And in between you’ll see something familiar, 4 deep cycle lead-acid batteries. The Interstates held their own better than most. I went through two or three sets in a couple of years.