Vintage Motorcycle Days, My first ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE and side hack!

barnstorm2

Platinum Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2003
Messages
14,573
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
Aircraft
2-place Air Command CLT SxS (project), & Twinstarr Autogyro
Total Flight Time
750+hrs and climbing
As some of you that have been involved in hangar chat with me may know, I have been restoring vintage and antique motorcycles since I was 13 years old.

When I started flying I could no longer support this hobby so I scaled down from large displacement European antique motorcycle restoration to smaller vintage motorcycles and scooters.

Last weekend at Mid-Ohio VMD, I purchased 2 unique bikes. One is a vintage production street legal electric motorcycle called an "Auranthetic Charger" ( the name probably caused the product's demise ;) )

She is powered by 2 deep cycle batteries and has a claimed speed of 30mph and range of 50 miles. I have not tested the range yet but it does hall my fat butt at almost 30mph.

They were only made for 2 years, 1973 and 1974.

I have not decided yet if I will restore it completely stock or make some modern improvements like Lithium batteries and a modern charging system with LED lighting. At the least I will set up a solar charging system in my hangar for it so that I can say it is at least partially off the grid.

There were quite a number of electric motorcycles at the event this year (see attached photos). Including the X-Prize machine.

Most notably for me was a kit that replaces the rear wheel with an electric motor hub giving 80mph/80mi range to any existing bike frame. This might turn out to be a neat conversion tool and I would love to have an electric motorcycle to ride to work every day. It is a pity that I already sold a great light enduro frame as a parts bike.

As luck would have it a close friend who also goes to VMD was just finishing converting his Honda scooter to all electric. It is a nice conversion but the photos I have are not of the finished product (the battery case is not yet secured down and the controller was not completely installed).

My second venture into new territory is my first side-car (hack).

It is a small wood side car mounted to a Honda C90 trail.

I hope to teach one of Connie's dogs (a Aussie cattle dog/pit mix) to ride in the side car.

If it turns out the dog digs the mode of transportation I will eventually upgrade to a sidecar that fits my 1958 BMW R50S.

Here is a link to a YOUTUBE video showing the Auranthetic Electric Motorcycle

YouTube - 1973 Auranthetic Electric Motorcycle Part 1 of 2

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Tim, those are too cool! I tinkered with the idea of building a electric kit car, back in the 90's. After I got a ride in a 550 spyder replica, but the costs were to much at the time. Might be less now with more modern technology? The classic bike that I think is neat is the 1950's Matchless, but not to many people seem to know about them. The side car looks great... :)
Mike
 
So that is what you have been up too, besides getting your CFI!
Thanks for sharing...
 
Very cool Tim.

I got to ride an electric motorcycle a few years ago. I love the feel of them. Zero vibrations....just the wind in your face :)

Very peaceful way to travel.
 
KTM has some new electric dirtbikes coming out soon that look pretty cool
 
Tim, those are too cool! I tinkered with the idea of building a electric kit car, back in the 90's. After I got a ride in a 550 spyder replica, but the costs were to much at the time. Might be less now with more modern technology? The classic bike that I think is neat is the 1950's Matchless, but not to many people seem to know about them. The side car looks great... :)
Mike

I have come close to owning a Matchless/AJS several times but the sale always fell through. I still hope to own on someday.

Surprisingly many parts are still available, some right here in Cincinnati at DOMIRACER.

I think you should look back into the E-kit cars. Things are more affordable then ever right now.

So that is what you have been up too, besides getting your CFI!
Thanks for sharing...

I have had more irons in the fire then fire..... still do!! :help:

Very cool Tim.

I got to ride an electric motorcycle a few years ago. I love the feel of them. Zero vibrations....just the wind in your face :)

Very peaceful way to travel.

Yes, I thought my R1100S or R65 were quiet but electric is SILENT. After I got the electric bike running I could come right up behind my friends walking down the road and then hit the horn making them jump :p

KTM has some new electric dirtbikes coming out soon that look pretty cool

If have any info pass it on! I am cash strapped now but someday I want to have a full-scale e-bike. I would love to have an electric Enduro!!

A DR350 converted to electric would be ideal I think.

.
 
Tim, there's a person I met recently who has a single cylinder 1952 Matchless for sale, I don't know all the different model's. I think he was asking around $6k for it. Don't know the value's either? It was supposedly owned by and restored by a famous singer at one time, forgot the name. It still looked to be in good condition, just a little surface rust on the rims. Thought it was a nice bike though.

Mike
 
Tim, there's a person I met recently who has a single cylinder 1952 Matchless for sale, I don't know all the different model's. I think he was asking around $6k for it. Don't know the value's either? It was supposedly owned by and restored by a famous singer at one time, forgot the name. It still looked to be in good condition, just a little surface rust on the rims. Thought it was a nice bike though.

Mike

I don't know if that is a good price or not. It sounds about right to me but I typically do some research in Walnecks and the local brit cycl club before purchases over a grand.
 
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