I'm planning on doing an EV conversion on a 1998 Gas Gas TX 320 Trials motorcycle. I'll be using the factory transmission, clutch and crank. The plan is to mount the motor in the area where the ICE top end would normally go and couple the motor to the crank with a sprocket/chain drive set or gears running a ~1:2 or ~1:3 ratio to mimic similar effective redline to the factory 2 stroke and mechanically widen/dampen torque application. I'll be removing the factory flywheel and crank connecting rod, then filling the crank weight area with lead to act as a flywheel to free up space on the side of the motor.
I'm liking this kit from thunderstruck due to the sealed design and peak output, but also feel it might be a bit too much for the application. The peak watt output is similar to the factory gas motors in modern bikes but realistically the upper end of the power ranges are not much used in trials except for sections that have more enduro-like emphasis.
https://www.thunderstruck-ev.com/curtis-brushless-16kw.html?fbclid=IwAR33lTOXdKRAArPlxOxL55m2CCCmgLvhFRauQPQDQr1oVvUq8UtDNWRcxew
I've kludged together a few traction electric applications before, but the Curtis controller seems to be a bit daunting.
Some of the concerns I have:
- I want to be able to have an on demand 'idle' RPM for the gyroscopic balance benefits at low-no ground speed and the fact that the crank flywheel will already have energy stored. Revs and clutch dumps are common in trials riding. I'm not sure if this is a possibility with programming of the controller? Can I fake this with a switch activated resistor on the 0-5k throttle? Is there a way for it to accept a tachometer input and have it self adjust to meet the target at 0 throttle input?
- ICE Trials bikes have a very early Torque peak that falls off rapidly as RPM increases, this works with the flywheel. The smoothness of throttle on/off or partial application is going to be crucial for grip. I'm assuming these controllers can be programmed to have non-linear torque/power curve relative to throttle position? Something similar to modern drive by wire systems that
- I'm in IT and have done my share of programming in the past, but no idea how any of this works for Curtis controllers. Do I need an OEM level programmer for this? How difficult is this for someone who has intermediate skills with java and python?
- (in the far far far distant future) is it possible to have another potentiometer that measures swingarm position and alters the power map based on these input with the tach to act like a traction control system?
I'm liking this kit from thunderstruck due to the sealed design and peak output, but also feel it might be a bit too much for the application. The peak watt output is similar to the factory gas motors in modern bikes but realistically the upper end of the power ranges are not much used in trials except for sections that have more enduro-like emphasis.
https://www.thunderstruck-ev.com/curtis-brushless-16kw.html?fbclid=IwAR33lTOXdKRAArPlxOxL55m2CCCmgLvhFRauQPQDQr1oVvUq8UtDNWRcxew
I've kludged together a few traction electric applications before, but the Curtis controller seems to be a bit daunting.
Some of the concerns I have:
- I want to be able to have an on demand 'idle' RPM for the gyroscopic balance benefits at low-no ground speed and the fact that the crank flywheel will already have energy stored. Revs and clutch dumps are common in trials riding. I'm not sure if this is a possibility with programming of the controller? Can I fake this with a switch activated resistor on the 0-5k throttle? Is there a way for it to accept a tachometer input and have it self adjust to meet the target at 0 throttle input?
- ICE Trials bikes have a very early Torque peak that falls off rapidly as RPM increases, this works with the flywheel. The smoothness of throttle on/off or partial application is going to be crucial for grip. I'm assuming these controllers can be programmed to have non-linear torque/power curve relative to throttle position? Something similar to modern drive by wire systems that
- I'm in IT and have done my share of programming in the past, but no idea how any of this works for Curtis controllers. Do I need an OEM level programmer for this? How difficult is this for someone who has intermediate skills with java and python?
- (in the far far far distant future) is it possible to have another potentiometer that measures swingarm position and alters the power map based on these input with the tach to act like a traction control system?