70mph Vectrix VX-1 maxi-scooter with LifePO4 upgrade

[oatnet]

Below is a link to a thread showing much of this bike's history, above is a time-lapse showing some of the replacement battery build and install.

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewto ... 12&t=17071

I commuted on this Vectrix motorcycle for a few years, until I laid it down in the rain a year or so back.  I rode it home right after but haven't touched it since, so I think I am done with freeway-speed 2-wheel transport and it is time for someone else to enjoy it.

I have kharmic concerns about profiting from getting rid of a high voltage motorcycle. Motorcycles are dangerous.  High voltage batteries are dangerous , and this one does not have a BMS (although one could be added through the balance taps). I built the high voltage battery as best as I knew at the time and it served me well, but I am an amateur with no background in electronics so it could be I missed something critical that will burn your dwelling/building down, hurt somebody, or worse.  I don't want to incur the kharmic burden or financial liability of profiting from the Vectrix, but it seems wasteful to have it destroyed, so I intend to give it away.

This will go to the qualified person I believe most suitable to receive it, and not the first to respond.  I'm offering this to the existing membership of Endless-Sphere first, and if I don't find the person I want to give it to on here, I'll expand to the Vectrix forum next.  There are a few requirements, including:

1) The recipient must pick up the bike in Los Angeles very soon, as well as the pile of spare Vectrix parts, it's a package deal.
2) The recipient must be licensed to operate a motorcycle in his/her state prior to this posting.
3) The recipient must certify that s/he has the skills and experience to safely work on high voltage (ie, >144v) battery systems.
4) The recipient will assume all liability for the Vectrix.
5) The onboard charger is not sized to the replacement battery pack, so the recipient will need a bulk charger, and a single-cell charger to balance cells.. I'd highly recommend balancing the pack before your first ride.

If you are interested, please PM me a short message (books will go unread) to apply, with answers to the questions below.   By applying, you are certifying that you have the skills to safely work with high voltage DC, you can safely manage and service this high voltage pack, and you can safely operate, maintain and store this Vectrix.  By applying, you agree that if you are selected, you assume any and all risk and liability for this Vectrix as configured, in any way it can be used, serviced, or stored or otherwise present risk or liability.  If any part of this is unenforceable, the rest of it remains in effect.

1) Do you certify that you have the skills and experience to safely work on high voltage (ie, >120v) battery systems? Please summarize your experience in a few sentences, links to project build threads are a plus.
2) How long have you had your motorcycle license and what is your riding experience?
3) What would you use the Vectrix for (commuting, leisure etc, how far, how often)
4) Where and how will you store and/or charge it?
5) How will you pick it up?

I'll collect responses for a while, and if I select a recipient I will post about it on this thread.  

-JD

[oatnet]

A faster version of the time-lapse for those in a hurry:

[granolaboy]

Dude, I think you're crazy with the karma guilt. You wiped out on your bike, it doesn't mean that by selling your bike to someone else, that you are passing on that injury to them.

There are more than a few companies that make bikes way faster than yours. Any time anyone gets on two wheels, they (better) realize that in a split second they can be severely injured and ruin their lives. To that point, I think if you ride a bike (motorcycle or not) that goes 50mph or faster, you should do yourself a favour and take the motorcycle course and get your motorcycle license. I see cyclists pulling death defying stunts in traffic every day, and I tell ya, there's no way they'd be taking those risks had they taken the course and knew about riding a high speed bike in traffic.

But anyway...

Just looking at those headway cells...man...you have to at least recover your costs.

I wish your bike could be registered in Canada...otherwise I might have been planning a road trip to LA

Best of luck either way.

[cal3thousand]

Now, I certainly wished I would have gotten my M1 license already.

I still think you should be getting some money for this. If profit makes your kharmic sensor go funny, I would at least pay you a modicum of money.

[spinningmagnets]

edit: I read the first post more slowly the second time, I now know I must respond in a PM

[BLUESTREAK]

2015-06-07 11.57.02.jpg (191.51 KiB) Viewed 7078 times

HI OATNET. if I were close enough I would love to have it and make another (VX-4)but I have (3) already, so here is what I will do,I will make a drawing of my sablization system for you to make your on VX-4 or tell me and give me enough time and I will make you a system. YOUR FRIEND COOPER.

[BLUESTREAK]

2015-05-27 11.59.56.jpg (193.34 KiB) Viewed 7078 times

BTW, I am getting old too thats why I made the (VX-4) this is me the old man

[BLUESTREAK]

I hope you have good success oatnet.

[elevatorguy925]

Very tempting, I meet all the requirements other than being able to pick it up. I already have two VX-1 so a third is overkill.
It will probably disappear fast, looks like a nice build.

[DAND214]

All I can say is, WOW!

Dan

[heathyoung]

Wow - rage-quitting a Vectrix

I seem to be accumulating them... I really must finish the second one.

[oatnet]

Wow - rage-quitting a Vectrix

Hi Heath!

I'm not sure where the "rage" comes into this, maybe it is a local term I don't understand, but there is nothing here I feel anger about. I hope this comes across as an act of generosity, sharing so that others can find joy, like the other things I have given away here.

-JD

[heathyoung]

Just being silly - its a gamer term.

Very generous offer indeed, I wouldn't be worried about Karmic repercussions, more spousal ones (I know mine would kill me if I did the same thing).

[amberwolf]

It is tempting to "apply" (and find someone in your area willing to bring it out here to me if I was picked), but I wouldn't be leaving it as it is, I'd be disassembling a fair bit of it to rebuild it into rather a different vehicle, setup for range and torque and acceleration from a stop rather than speed (as I don't need more than 20MPH cruise with the ability for a burst of quickness past that just in case of a maneuver by other traffic that braking wouldn't let me avoid).

So even though I don't have an M license it wouldn't apply anyway.

But it would be a shame to take a nice working vehicle and turn it into one of my "creations".

[Evoforce]

Yes, I am soooo tempted too! But I have way to many incomplete projects already. But this project is exactly up my alley. My lady would kill me... I can feel the strangle hold around my neck now. Electric motorcycle is on my bucket list. And your pack is Headways just like my race bike except race bike has BMS. Arrg! Just no time for this challenge yet. This is a struggle with my soul on this one because I really want it. What a gracious offer. Sorry that you no longer feel comfortable riding this project.

[macribs]

I just wanted to express my respect for such an selfless act. You don't need to be worrying about your karma. If anything oatnet you should be getting karma plus points for your generous offering. I think I have never before seen such an act of generosity - giving away an electric vehicle.

You are in no way responsible for the next owners life, health or marriage (problems). Everyday people sell high powered toys and vehicle - the new owner must self take upon him to act in safe manner around and on the vehicle.

I am sure you will make one ES member extremely happy. Refreshing to see a giveaway in this day and age.


Respect man.

[mvly]

I would apply but dont have the m1 license. So i am out of thr running. Seems like an excellent commuter tool for anyone. Good luck for those who applied and make sure you dont kill yourself when playing with this. Hahah

[outkast15]

I cant get this deal either...no M1

[oatnet]

Thanks to all who submitted an application, in the end there were (6) people on the list that I believed had sufficient qualifications to have success with the bike. The Vectrix has now been adopted by Will, who is an experienced rider, had a NiMh Vectrix and a few project Vectrix's. In addition to find someone i thought could manage the risk of riding a motorcycle, the risk of high voltage packs, have safe storage, and be likely to use it, I hoped I wouldn't have to ship it far. Will had the bonus of being nearby (making the transport "green") and said if selected he could pick it up the next day.

He arrived in a current generation Rav 4EV, to coordinate the flatbed that transported the bike, and we spent a few hours going over the idiosyncrasies of the pack and modifications to the bike, how to balance it, why the onboard charger is mismatched to the pack and not a good idea, etc etc. I was pleased to see the cells appeared to be pretty well balanced, so Will should be able to do a monitored bulk charge, single-cell balance all ethe individual cells to recover the pack.

It was very hard to see my trusty steed ride off into the sunrise, but I am glad to have found someone to care for it.

-JD

[cwah]

price?

[BLUESTREAK]

HI OATNET, glad you have moved it to the right person but sorry you have to let it go. I guess I am the only VECTRIX person left here at ES makes me feel kind of lonely.maybe WILL can come here so I won't have to feel so alone. anyway OATNET thanks for your company and good advice on everything. COOPER.

[oatnet]

price?

Zero. Nada. Free. Gift. See original posting. I didn't put "Free" in the title, everyone likes something free but I was looking for people who wanted a Vectrix.

-JD

[Cosmictech]

Hello there, I drive my Vectrix VX-1 in all types of weather (sans snow), when it works. I just retired as a mechanical engineer (and average machinist) from Michigan State University Particle Physics group (CERN/LHC/ATLAS/Tilecal) after 33 years. I'm not a Physicist - "I just make experiments work." I worked with a 10kv system for ~2 years. I have worked on or built or designed and built so many "screwball" projects I can't begin to remember them all (design build special machines, contract parts out, and expensive manual labor). I'm in a discussion with a Chinese supplier to try and come up with a drop-in replacement using prismatic cells and a designed for BMS all for ~$1500, shipping has not been discussed but shipping included comes with smaller groups of cells (~40V @100A). I'd love to be able to keep one Vectrix running all of the time (like the old joke about owning a Jaguar, own 2, drive one while the other is in the shop).
I use uShip for all of my two wheel purchases (and a mediochre sp? 3 wheel scooter). At uShip what I bid for is the shipping I receive: "Vectrix VX-1 scooter with many spare parts." bla,bla,bla...

Regards, Cosmictech
Oh, back when radio/TV had tubes I worked in a repair shop but I'm still only 64.

[oatnet]

Thanks for your interest cosmictech, but unfortunately the adoption was announced a few posts up.

-JD

[Osbold]

I would apply but dont have the m1 license. So i am out of thr running. Seems like an excellent commuter tool for anyone. Good luck for those who applied and make sure you dont kill yourself when playing with this. Hahah

Hi Oatnet just found this and thought it was very cool. Any update on your project?