Don’t Know Where To Start

[godzola]

My son asked me if he can get an electric moped this summer. I suggested the only way this is possible is if he builds it with me, so that way when he inevitably breaks it, he will know how to fix it. He seems to be in, and we’ve even convinced Mom to go along. Now my problems start. At a high level, my plan is to do the following:

1. find a rolling chassis from a local motorcycle graveyard, with VIN number
2. I asked a police officer what it would take to be street legal (in Scottsdale AZ) and he was more than happy to help out. There is some more color to be added, but basically,

a. Less than 20 miles an hour, it’s an electric vehicle, no real licensing or insurance requirements​

b. 20-25 MPH with pedals, it’s an electric bike - special rules here​

c. 20-25 MPH no pedals, it’s a moped - special rules here​

d. 26 MPH or higher it’s a motorcycle and those rules for licensing and insurance apply​

e. A headlight and a brake light, you can signal with your hands if you want​

3. I don’t know exactly what the right motor is here, but generally I think I’ll want it to be able to go 30 MPH so I’ll be making a motorcycle as per the law so,

a. a rear hub-motor 1000 watt size​

b. I don’t know how a center mount would compare, but probably more parts like a chain/belt and a sprocket/pulley​

c. No way a front wheel motor​

4. Brakes - maybe there are drum brakes built in to hub motors? Maybe we go for disc brakes?
5. Electronics - I have ZERO idea how to size charge controllers, batteries, extra lights, motors etc. but I’m sure I can learn
6. Solar - see below

OK… so the boy says he wants to have a solar panel to charge it, too, not just plug it in. I think I need either a dual AC/DC and DC/DC charge controller, or two controllers… In any case, I see him working - save the planet, have some fun, get some chicks. The solar panel will definitely help him with the last part. Either way, I respect his thought process here and want to help him.

I have been wildly unsuccessful in finding anything to read on this process. I looked at this forum, and in a few other places, but I don’t really see any general material to help a fellow like me out. My nightmare scenario is to go find technical specs and parts lists for commercially available alternatives here, and then copying their parts list. That seems like a long, expensive way to do it. I prefere the analytical approach in this respect.

Any help from any members would be much appreciated!

 

[bikewinterberry]

My son asked me if he can get an electric moped this summer. I suggested the only way this is possible is if he builds it with me, so that way when he inevitably breaks it, he will know how to fix it. He seems to be in, and we’ve even convinced Mom to go along. Now my problems start. At a high level, my plan is to do the following:

1. find a rolling chassis from a local motorcycle graveyard, with VIN number
2. I asked a police officer what it would take to be street legal (in Scottsdale AZ) and he was more than happy to help out. There is some more color to be added, but basically,

a. Less than 20 miles an hour, it’s an electric vehicle, no real licensing or insurance requirements​

b. 20-25 MPH with pedals, it’s an electric bike - special rules here​

c. 20-25 MPH no pedals, it’s a moped - special rules here​

d. 26 MPH or higher it’s a motorcycle and those rules for licensing and insurance apply​

e. A headlight and a brake light, you can signal with your hands if you want​

3. I don’t know exactly what the right motor is here, but generally I think I’ll want it to be able to go 30 MPH so I’ll be making a motorcycle as per the law so,

a. a rear hub-motor 1000 watt size​

b. I don’t know how a center mount would compare, but probably more parts like a chain/belt and a sprocket/pulley​

c. No way a front wheel motor​

4. Brakes - maybe there are drum brakes built in to hub motors? Maybe we go for disc brakes?
5. Electronics - I have ZERO idea how to size charge controllers, batteries, extra lights, motors etc. but I’m sure I can learn
6. Solar - see below

OK… so the boy says he wants to have a solar panel to charge it, too, not just plug it in. I think I need either a dual AC/DC and DC/DC charge controller, or two controllers… In any case, I see him working - save the planet, have some fun, get some chicks. The solar panel will definitely help him with the last part. Either way, I respect his thought process here and want to help him.

I have been wildly unsuccessful in finding anything to read on this process. I looked at this forum, and in a few other places, but I don’t really see any general material to help a fellow like me out. My nightmare scenario is to go find technical specs and parts lists for commercially available alternatives here, and then copying their parts list. That seems like a long, expensive way to do it. I prefere the analytical approach in this respect.

Any help from any members would be much appreciated!

Building that electric moped will definitely be a fun learning experience for both of you. Hitting up the local motorcycle graveyard for a chassis sounds like a solid start. Once you’ve got the frame, you can dial in the right motor and brakes. Going for a rear hub-motor and disc brakes seems like a smart move. As for the electronics and solar setup, there’s a lot to learn, but you’ll get the hang of it. Plus, the solar panel idea is killer—it’s practical and cool.

 

[sc00ter]

We've had a few members on Moped Army convert a gas powered moped over to electric. Using a motorcycle chassis would be extra heavy, then you'd have to rig up some pedals. A moped already has pedals. Unless your'e going for a speed blaster the moped drum brakes should be fine. Whatever path you decide on please keep us in the loop on your progress, failures and questions. I was going to build my own ebike but I'm lazy. Your'e project sounds fun and will be a cool bonding project. When I was a teenager around 13 years old I ended up with a moped. My dad still had friends going overseas and would have them bring back go-fast parts. That Baretta 38 hauled butt when we were done with it! We went on so many insane adventures (yes, my dad would ride on the back). I had that moped until I was in my late 30's and still kinda regret selling it. I replaced it with a stupid modded and extra fast 2000 Yamaha Zuma. I still love 2-strokes to this day because of my dad, and I'm in my 50's now. He would have loved the Zuma!

 

[PCeBiker]

There is some more color to be added, but basically,

a. Less than 20 miles an hour, it’s an electric vehicle, no real licensing or insurance requirements​

b. 20-25 MPH with pedals, it’s an electric bike - special rules here​

c. 20-25 MPH no pedals, it’s a moped - special rules here​

d. 26 MPH or higher it’s a motorcycle and those rules for licensing and insurance apply​

I think I’ll want it to be able to go 30 MPH so I’ll be making a motorcycle as per the law so,

I think that you try to stay within the 25 mph limit.

An electric motorcycle will require a motorcycle driver's license registration and insurance that could easily cost over $1,200 a year or over $2,000 for a new driver.

And your homemade motorcycle will have to be inspected by the Ministry of Transportation to make sure that its road worthy.

It could be a real hassle getting it street legal, and at 30 mph it's not fast enough for Highway travel even though it has to be proven to safety go that fast.
It may be required to go highway speed?


Find out what's required to get a homemade moped on the road compared to an electric bicycle.

Adding pedals to your project may help get past a lot of red tape and expense.


You can also limit the speed with your controller/display to 25 mph, so it doesn't count as a motorcycle.