Sooo.... I might have bought another bike.
It's a yet another 2005 CRF 250R, virtually the same as CRF #1. This has been going for a while behind the scenes, but I wanted to wait for a bit before I posted so that I at least had the bike on hand.
I should probably say why I'm even getting into this while #1 still isn't finished, with at least a couple dozen hours of work left still. Thing is, even in the unfinished state, it has given both me and other people so many smiles and pleasant moments, I just wanted to have a second one to share with people, do dual test-rides together, and just have double the fun. I also had some leftover parts, but most importantly, I already put so much effort into learning all this, it just didn't feel right to build only one bike. So when this one showed up, I pulled the trigger and ordered it shipped, without the engine.
This one isn't a project someone started, it sits as it was, just minus the engine and exhaust. Considering I did virtually everything on #1 myself anyway, I'm not too concerned. So let's look at the planned specs.
* Honda CRF250R motocross frame from 2005
* QS138v3 - exactly same one as in #1, new version, no surprises
* Votol EM200S - I got it because it was shipped from Poland and was really affordable even compared to the 260S. It can run at up to 250bA which I think should be just fine, especially given it's the "large radiator" version. The only thing that's concerning is if I'll manage to fit the radiator on the bike, as it is quite bigger than the 260. I thought about getting a 96V Fardriver as well, but the cost just didn't seem to justify it.
* LGX P41A cells. I'm going with a 20s1p with this one, with 41Ah cells. They have 204A continuous and 380A peak discharge rating, so hopefully they'll be up to the task. I'll put them in a support frame and enclose in fiberglass again. The cells weigh 660g each, so hopefully we'll shed some weight from #1 without sacricificing performance. I got them brand new, likely rejects, for a really absurdly low price of around 11.50 eur / cell. That's 230 eur for a 72V41Ah battery, which is impossible to match with cylindrical cells, and should save me from welding - I'll just clamp the electrodes together.
Another upside of using them will be much smaller battery size.
I'll likely start with 15-54 gearing with this bike to make it faster with more range, but less uphill pull. That means I can reuse the steel 428 54T I already own, for a really durable drivetrain; I'll just need a new chain. Other than that, I plan to keep the bike in original plastics and look.
The long-term plan for this bike is to get it to rideable state as quickly as possible, enjoy during the summer and sell right after, for a small profit that could fund more projects. As such, I likely won't be going into as much detail work as with mine, and just get it to work well enough for an average dirtbike rider/newbie. It will definitely get a better rear tyre (thankfully the seller has included one that's still usable). I will need to do a basic front suspension service, as they lost most of their oil during upside-down transit, and give it all a good clean and grease job.
I've ordered a Surron throttle for it as well, so it will be interesting to compare it to my cable throttle.
As always, questions, comments and words of encouragement are welcome, as well as visits if you want to ride it once it's complete
It's a yet another 2005 CRF 250R, virtually the same as CRF #1. This has been going for a while behind the scenes, but I wanted to wait for a bit before I posted so that I at least had the bike on hand.
I should probably say why I'm even getting into this while #1 still isn't finished, with at least a couple dozen hours of work left still. Thing is, even in the unfinished state, it has given both me and other people so many smiles and pleasant moments, I just wanted to have a second one to share with people, do dual test-rides together, and just have double the fun. I also had some leftover parts, but most importantly, I already put so much effort into learning all this, it just didn't feel right to build only one bike. So when this one showed up, I pulled the trigger and ordered it shipped, without the engine.
This one isn't a project someone started, it sits as it was, just minus the engine and exhaust. Considering I did virtually everything on #1 myself anyway, I'm not too concerned. So let's look at the planned specs.
* Honda CRF250R motocross frame from 2005
* QS138v3 - exactly same one as in #1, new version, no surprises
* Votol EM200S - I got it because it was shipped from Poland and was really affordable even compared to the 260S. It can run at up to 250bA which I think should be just fine, especially given it's the "large radiator" version. The only thing that's concerning is if I'll manage to fit the radiator on the bike, as it is quite bigger than the 260. I thought about getting a 96V Fardriver as well, but the cost just didn't seem to justify it.
* LGX P41A cells. I'm going with a 20s1p with this one, with 41Ah cells. They have 204A continuous and 380A peak discharge rating, so hopefully they'll be up to the task. I'll put them in a support frame and enclose in fiberglass again. The cells weigh 660g each, so hopefully we'll shed some weight from #1 without sacricificing performance. I got them brand new, likely rejects, for a really absurdly low price of around 11.50 eur / cell. That's 230 eur for a 72V41Ah battery, which is impossible to match with cylindrical cells, and should save me from welding - I'll just clamp the electrodes together.
Another upside of using them will be much smaller battery size.
I'll likely start with 15-54 gearing with this bike to make it faster with more range, but less uphill pull. That means I can reuse the steel 428 54T I already own, for a really durable drivetrain; I'll just need a new chain. Other than that, I plan to keep the bike in original plastics and look.
The long-term plan for this bike is to get it to rideable state as quickly as possible, enjoy during the summer and sell right after, for a small profit that could fund more projects. As such, I likely won't be going into as much detail work as with mine, and just get it to work well enough for an average dirtbike rider/newbie. It will definitely get a better rear tyre (thankfully the seller has included one that's still usable). I will need to do a basic front suspension service, as they lost most of their oil during upside-down transit, and give it all a good clean and grease job.
I've ordered a Surron throttle for it as well, so it will be interesting to compare it to my cable throttle.
As always, questions, comments and words of encouragement are welcome, as well as visits if you want to ride it once it's complete
