edlaurence
1 mW
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2011
- Messages
- 14
Hi all,
Some of you guys might have seen my posts while I've been scrounging info for my project (thanks all!
). I've been working on the electric conversion of a dirt bike (Honda CRF450)for the last couple of years and have just returned from a really encouraging test trip in the Sahara where the bike performed well with good range and more than enough power from the twin Agnis (around 60kW) to tackle the big dunes. 
After some further modifications, I'm planning to take the bike on a new challenge to trace the 6,000km Dakar rally route in Argentina and Chile with the help of my brothers. We'll be recharging from a portable solar array packed on the bike so that the ride itself is essentially emission-free and more importantly not constrained to the next fuel stop!
Having proved out the bike itself, the next step is the tough part. The project has been self-funded so far but its getting more serious now so we've kicked off a crowd-funding campaign (http://www.indiegogo.com/desertedev) as we need help so that we can make it to the starting line. This will fund the purchase of the 1.5kW solar array and a much-needed battery upgrade and then hopefully we'll be all set to start our expedition early next year (we're planning to set off in Feb/March).
My hope, if we're successful, is to give the EV's reputation a bit of a boost, and the expedition will also be a great opportunity to raise money for environmental charities (we've chosen Friends of the Earth and WWF). Any money that can be recouped from the bike and the kit purchased for the trip will also be donated.
It would be great to hear people's feedback and comments on the whole thing. You guys seem to know what you're talking about! :wink:
Thanks to Justin and Fechter for the help!
Ed
Some of you guys might have seen my posts while I've been scrounging info for my project (thanks all!
). I've been working on the electric conversion of a dirt bike (Honda CRF450)for the last couple of years and have just returned from a really encouraging test trip in the Sahara where the bike performed well with good range and more than enough power from the twin Agnis (around 60kW) to tackle the big dunes. After some further modifications, I'm planning to take the bike on a new challenge to trace the 6,000km Dakar rally route in Argentina and Chile with the help of my brothers. We'll be recharging from a portable solar array packed on the bike so that the ride itself is essentially emission-free and more importantly not constrained to the next fuel stop!
Having proved out the bike itself, the next step is the tough part. The project has been self-funded so far but its getting more serious now so we've kicked off a crowd-funding campaign (http://www.indiegogo.com/desertedev) as we need help so that we can make it to the starting line. This will fund the purchase of the 1.5kW solar array and a much-needed battery upgrade and then hopefully we'll be all set to start our expedition early next year (we're planning to set off in Feb/March).
My hope, if we're successful, is to give the EV's reputation a bit of a boost, and the expedition will also be a great opportunity to raise money for environmental charities (we've chosen Friends of the Earth and WWF). Any money that can be recouped from the bike and the kit purchased for the trip will also be donated.
It would be great to hear people's feedback and comments on the whole thing. You guys seem to know what you're talking about! :wink:
Thanks to Justin and Fechter for the help!
Ed
) but I'm hoping some guys over here in the UK will come through with the goods. I'll drop you an update when we've seen them and continue working on our packaging solution for them.
