Yamaha Virago XV750 conversion

simonsmidt

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Oct 21, 2017
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I'm looking for possibilities to convert my 1996 Virago to an electric motorbike. I'm using it for commuting only, so only need a range of max 100km and a max speed of 130 km/h.
1. is this possible?
2. if yes, who can help me, as I have 2 left hands? :mrgreen:

advTHANKSance,

Simon from Belgium.
 
I'm not sure how much it matters, but it would seem like having a shaft drive makes it a tougher project as opposed to finding a motor that would use an existing chain drive.
You're either going to need to find a motor and a 90 deg drive unit for the front end, or totally replace the back for hubmotor, or something less easy than starting on one with a chain and sprockets already.
 
simonsmidt said:
1. is this possible? 2. if yes, who can help me, as I have 2 left hands? :mrgreen:

Are you thinking of doing it yourself or finding a company to do the work for you? If it would be a DIY project and you state you're not handy I would suggest to first build an electric bike to learn from.
 
SlowCo said:
simonsmidt said:
1. is this possible? 2. if yes, who can help me, as I have 2 left hands? :mrgreen:

Are you thinking of doing it yourself or finding a company to do the work for you? If it would be a DIY project and you state you're not handy I would suggest to first build an electric bike to learn from.
I'd like to find a company to do the work for me, as I'm not that handy :(
 
Then I suggest to sell the Virago and buy a Zero motorcycle. That would mean you can ride immediately and have a warranty (if bought new) and good support with of the shelf spare parts. It will probably be cheaper too.
Second hand Zero DS:
https://www.2dehands.be/motoren/motoren/overige-merken/zero-ds-11-4kw-364832585.html
Or a second hand BMW C Evolution:
https://www.2dehands.be/motoren/motoren/bmw/bmw-c-evolution-100-321897755.html

In Belgium you can find most info and maybe help on this forum:
https://www.egear.be/elektrische-motorfietsen/

https://egearforum.com/viewforum.php?f=20&sid=da8f9799f234f34a1b5bd417fd9b22a4

https://electricmotorcycles.news/
 
SlowCo said:
Then I suggest to sell the Virago and buy a Zero motorcycle. That would mean you can ride immediately and have a warranty (if bought new) and good support with of the shelf spare parts. It will probably be cheaper too.
Second hand Zero DS:
https://www.2dehands.be/motoren/motoren/overige-merken/zero-ds-11-4kw-364832585.html
Or a second hand BMW C Evolution:
https://www.2dehands.be/motoren/motoren/bmw/bmw-c-evolution-100-321897755.html

In Belgium you can find most info and maybe help on this forum:
https://www.egear.be/elektrische-motorfietsen/

https://egearforum.com/viewforum.php?f=20&sid=da8f9799f234f34a1b5bd417fd9b22a4

https://electricmotorcycles.news/
Dank voor deze links!
"Probably be cheaper" I guess it is not as I hope to have that project done with less than €5k.
Anyway, the current electric motorbike models don't appeal to me. My Virago is a perfect bike for the trafficjams I face every day; low seat, low point of gravity, not too wide. That's the main reason for conversion.
 
The problem is the weight and lack of aerodynamics of the Virago. To achieve 130km/h and 100km range you'll need a serious amount of power and battery. And then you need a company to figure everything out and do the conversion which will cost dearly. Lastly you'll need to have it checked and registered as an electric motorcycle. All that will blow your budget. If you could do the conversion yourself and buy a second hand motor and controller you might get closer to your budget.
 
Keeping the shaft drive means taking a major efficiency hit and engineering an adapter plate from motor to transmission. Getting rid of the shaft drive means manufacturing a custom swingarm. Either way, that's not cheap or easy.

If I were in the EU (and if I could fit on one), I'd get a 50cc sportbike like Derbi, Rieju, or Aprilia, and convert that. There would be a lot more performance and range available for any given amount of battery and motor.

The used motorcycle is the cheap and easy part of your project. Don't let an inappropriate choice there determine the rest of your options for you.
 
Thanks for the very usefull information @Slowco, @Chalo and @Voltron . I'm afraid that you are right and that I'll have to abandon the idea of converting the Virago.

I'll start saving for a real electric motorbike instead :mrgreen:
 
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