Real Goods Tech Rides Electric Motorcycle to Work
Most people have never heard of an electric motorcycle, but you’ll find one in the parking lot of the Gaiam Real Goods offices in Broomfield, Colorado. Following a dream, Real Goods Renewable Energy Technician Jeff Blamey joined Gaiam in December 2006 and began to convert a gasoline-powered motorcycle to run on electric wall current for his commute to work.
He found the perfect motorcycle on eBay (a 1984 Honda VF 500), devoured a book on electric motorcycles, and spent four months designing the conversion on his computer.
Once the parts were assembled, it took Blamey a month to convert the bike. He removed the engine, transmission, radiator and fan; cut and welded metal trays for the first, second and third batteries; made saddlebag mounts for the fourth and fifth batteries; and mounted the PMG 132 motor and Alltrax controller he bought from Electric Motor Sports in Oakland, California.
According to Blamey’s calculations, his motorcycle commute costs him less than $.10 per day for eight miles, as opposed to $.75 by car or $.53 by gas-powered motorcycle. He estimates the cost of conversion, including the motorcycle, at around $3,000 and figures the batteries could last as long as five years, with replacement packs of six batteries costing around $450.
After creating a near-zero-carbon commuter experience, Blamey’s next goal is to build a solar charging station to power the bike.
