Its electric anyway, and some nice build details, including use of a very-high efficiency RC motor and RC controller parts. and data logging.
http://www.wisil.recumbents.com/wisil/shumaker/default.htm Things I like: its light. its really light, well its a bicycle. :) the use of high-rpm RC plane motor - terrific KW-weight ratio. Nice packaging DAQ Things I wonder about: the home-made drive line to gear down that motor to usable speeds and torque that motor- will it stand up to regular use? I envy: his CNC tools What ifs: what if you used a couple of these motors to drive the front wheel of a 2wd dirt bike? That would be way simpler than all the other 2wd systems, though limited to about 6 hp. You'd have to have a planetary/some_other gearbox custom built, possibly inside the hub. But 6 hp might well be enough on a light bike. I think this project captures the lightest possible end of the spectrum from bicycles to motorcycles. For a heavier project, is it worth giving up the thermal mass of a big torquey motor if your batteries weigh 150 lbs? Maybe not, but MC projects are always looking to get lighter. hope you find it interesting and not too OT. John
