1977 KZ650 electric-drive conversion

I have a '77 KZ650 that I am going to convert to electric-drive. First, I need to loose the internal combustion drivetrain

The chassis seems solid and mostly complete. I need a few bits for the front end as well; handlebar clamps, brakes and the bearings for the steering neck.

Probably will use a few deep cycle auto batteries, since they will get drained regularly. Converting the fuel gauge to a volt meter to monitor remaining 'fuel' would be cool.

Not sure what will happen with this project, but I have high hopes. Maybe I will stop riding my Ninja every day...

I've seen this done with an old BMW /5. They used golf cart motors and some car batteries. Done right it'll even recharge going down hills (just like the fancy hybrids do). Weight is your enemy here, keep everything as light as you can.

Later...Sam

Green is the new black, Good luck to you.

Be careful buddy, the 650 guys in here reign supreme! :dry:
Ill bet there's 60 members in here chewing on their jaws!
Better save that motor and make a nice display case for it! That
might keep em happy.
Ive been wanting to do something like this, think the torque and
power the electrics have can rival and even surpass the gas
motor.
Keep us posted!

I am very curious to see what is used for the motor, how much it costs, same with batteries.

The guy I bought my frame with title from in Abergavenny, Wales UK, was doing exactly the same thing, he had a load of Z650 parts and I bought a frame with mag wheels etc, he was keeping spoked wheels with alloy rims etc, to keep the weight down, but chose the Z650 because of the double cradle constuction which of course lends itself to fitting pretty much anything in.
The same guy also had a very tasty K series BMW cafe racer/streetfighter, with a heavily modified tank (made it look less like a brick, some Ducati parts and lots of one off bits he made. His garage was to die for, everything you could ever want!
Makes me jealous, all that skill, space and toys!