Update...now it's a hybrid!

I posted this bike last year when it was all electric. Added gas but also wanted to keep the electric, and have it even more functional. Now has regenerative charging of the battery when running on gas, can run on gas, electric, pedal, or any combination. With both gas and electric I even have both front and rear wheel drive (only one rear wheel is driven). I really don't know if it would make it, but it should go pretty close to 55 or sixty. It turns 1560 rpm at 30 mph.

Worksman Mover 26" bike with rear box to hold the battery and my ice chest
Predator 212cc with Stage 1 improvements
Comet TAV2 torque converter
Custom jackshaft and sprockets/chains (shown in picture)
Front and rear lights, brake lights, turn signals

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Several times in the past I've talked about when using human, gas or gravity power the electric motor acts as a generator to put charge back into the battery. Glad someone is doing it.

 

[scalewiz]

I think most of the direct-drive hub motors should be able to do it. Mounting the direct drive motor in the front hub makes it possible. My motor controller had the function built in, but I had to replace the display unit to a model that has regenerative braking. To charge, I simply connected a switch in parallel with the switch in the brake handle that cuts the motor when the brakes are applied. When running on gas I simply throw the switch; the controller thinks the brakes are applied and begins regenerative braking which charges back to the battery. Luckily there are multiple power settings in the controller to affect the amount of braking/chargeback. On maximum, it is VERY strong and it really loads the motor. You can see the switch next to the tach/hourmeter on the dashboard.

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

I think most of the direct-drive hub motors should be able to do it. Mounting the direct drive motor in the front hub makes it possible. My motor controller had the function built in, but I had to replace the display unit to a model that has regenerative braking. To charge, I simply connected a switch in parallel with the switch in the brake handle that cuts the motor when the brakes are applied. When running on gas I simply throw the switch; the controller thinks the brakes are applied and begins regenerative braking which charges back to the battery. Luckily there are multiple power settings in the controller to affect the amount of braking/chargeback. On maximum, it is VERY strong and it really loads the motor. You can see the switch next to the tach/hourmeter on the dashboard.

MY idea was based on a throttle design that'd flip the switch when not using hub power.

 

[Karl Snarl]

MY idea was based on a throttle design that'd flip the switch when not using hub power.

I'm listening. I think this is relevant to the topic, an I won't post a Kevin pic. Well not right away anyway. lol.

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

I'm listening. I think this is relevant to the topic, an I won't post a Kevin pic. Well not right away anyway. lol.

It'd be on the electric throttle. When the throttle wasn't in use it'd flip a switch to reverse polarity. When the motor is being used for forward power the throttle would flip the switch the other way.

 

[Karl Snarl]

It'd be on the electric throttle. When the throttle wasn't in use it'd flip a switch to reverse polarity. When the motor is being used for forward power the throttle would flip the switch the other way.

Did you just put a little arm on the throttle to slap a toggle? Or did you go fancy and put a contact inside the assembly?

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Did you just put a little arm on the throttle to slap a toggle? Or did you go fancy and put a contact inside the assembly?

I go with simplicity as much as possible it was 2 little arms attached on each end of the throttle that flipped switch

 

[Karl Snarl]

I go with simplicity as much as possible it was 2 little arms attached on each end of the throttle that flipped switch

KISS is a good way to live. Saves a lot of time. lol

 

[Chainlube]

I would have the tendency to ride it on gas all the time. Good job on the jack shaft set up, if you want, you can easily change gearing. With the TAV though there isn't a need. I've made a few exhaust systems using that screw together black pipe in the past, but ever since I bought my pipe bender it's more fun to bend a pipe.