Electric Motorcycle

Alabama Robertsdale A Robertsdale man may never have to buy gas again after completing a summer project.

by Debbie Williams

Published: Tue, October 14, 2008 - 5:00 pm CST

Riding a motorcycle. Jim Wilson will tell you, there's nothing like it. Especially, if it's his motorcycle.
"I had a motorcycle frame laying out back, just a frame and I was searching the Internet one night and came across some plans the guy was selling about how to build and electric motorcycle." Jim says when he got started all he had was a dream and a frame. "Actually I've been thinking about building something electric since the early 70's during the first gas crisis, but all I ever did was think about it I never did anything."
Until now. Using four 12 volt batteries, a Briggs and Stratton motor, the original brakes and throttle control, he gets 40 miles per charge with a top speed of 50 miles per hour. It cost about 25 hundred dollars to build. "The gas tank, the fenders, the tires, wheels, the handle bars everything was off of e-bay even the saddle bags."
When you're building the first of it's kind of anything you have to improvise for parts. The storage area under the seat is made of PVC pipe and to hide the wiring around the handle bars an equipment box is actually a Tupperware container.
"I was surprised when he brought it in altogether and it actually runs." Wilson's brother Dave is thoroughly impressed. So much so, the bike is displayed in the showroom of the family owned car lot. "Some people take a second look. One guy thought it was a hydrogen powered motorcycle because it has those little round things and those are his containers to keep stuff stored in."
"Most are fascinated. One guy ask, If he can do that why aren't the car companies doing it?" Wilson says the answer is easy, "If more of us out here do it, it will force them to do it."
Giving us all an easier ride past the pumps.

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