Sunday, February 28, 2010

Electric Superbike 'Leap Forward'


MotoCzysz, have announced the availability of its Electric D1g1tal Dr1ve (eDD) kit, which could be suitable for manufacturers or teams wanting to develop an electric race bike for this year's inaugural TTXGP electric world series. MotoCzysz press release follows...

MotoCzysz Electric D1g1tal Dr1ve System
MotoCzysz announces the most integrated electric drive available. The first product from a family of integrated drives being developed by MotoCzysz is designed and engineered specifically for high performance electric motorcycles. The eDD system integrates advanced technologies with new proprietary industry first solutions. For individuals, teams and companies interested in building a high performance electric motorcycle, the new MotoCzysz Digital Drive system is the most advanced integrated electric drive system available.

MotoCzysz power, your imagination
Electric drive systems are rapidly moving beyond the resources available to individuals and small teams, but the vision and ability to build a next generation e motorcycle has not. With the MotoCzysz eDD system an individual or team can use their imagination and build a highly competitive proprietary race bike or utilize parts from a donor bike to build the electric motorcycle of their dreams.

Motor
The MotoCzysz liquid cooled 75kW/100hp electric motor is one of the highest torque/density motors in the industry (250+ft/lbs/340+Nm continuous 77lbs/35kg). The integrated permanent magnet solution generates more torque while being more efficient than any comparably sized AC induction motor. The MotoCzysz cooling system elevates the motor’s nominal power output closer to the motor’s peak power output. The MotoCzysz motor can deliver a continuous 75kW (100hp) and is 93% efficient under continuous heavy load (140C). The motor is available to accommodate either right or left hand chain drive.

Controller
The MotoCzysz LQ 240V 85kW Controller is specifically optimized for the motor, in both function and packaging.  Accepting 240V and 350+ amps the sealed Controller contains ALL the high voltage components and plugs directly into the motor, resulting in a nearly completely wireless (high voltage) system.  The Controller receives battery motor and rider command data and adjusts current accordingly.; The Controller software has multiple embedded maps for setting or customizing functions like torque contouring and overall power settings.

Batteries
The new Digital battery pack utilizes high density, high discharge LiPo (Lithium Polymer) cells. Each pack is embedded with monitoring capability that sends vital data wirelessly via infrared to a Digital Vehicle Management System and ultimately to the Controller. Additionally, each battery pack houses an LED display that indicates the overall pack as well as individual cell group data. Each battery pack weighs less than 18lbs and effortlessly “snaps” into the “suitcase” chassis. The “suitcase” holds 8 battery packs for a total energy storage of 10kWh.

Chassis
MotoCzysz has designed the “suitcase” chassis to optimize the mass location and vehicle’s overall on board energy density. The chassis accommodates virtually any modern double sided swingarm from a 1,000cc motorcycle. The suitcase also ships with a matching top plate for the mounting/fabrication of a new or existing front end.



MotoCzysz Electric Digital Drive Specifications:

Motor:
Voltage240V+
Power75kW/100hp (continuous)
Weight77lbs/35kg (complete with pump and mounts)
Diameter254mm/10″
Width190mm/7.5″
Coolingliquid (oil)
Efficiency93% (under continuous load at 70C)

Controller:
Voltage240V
Current335A
Power85kWh
Weight17lbs/7.7kg
LxWxH335×205x90mm/13.2×8.0×3.5″
CoolingLiquid (water)
Efficiency95%

Battery Pack: individual
Voltage29.6 (nominal)
Capacity40Ah
Weight17.5 lbs/8kg
Energy Storage1.25kWh (1.2kWh nominal)
Discharge10c peak
High voltagedirect contact to buss
Data Linkvia infrared
Hot swapyes
Voltage monitoringyes
Thermal monitoringyes
Digital readoutyes
Alarm status LED’syes

Total ESS:
Voltage240V
Capacity40Ah
Weight140lbs (17.5lbs X 8) /63.5kg
Energy storage10kWh (9.6kWh nominal)

Complete eDD System:
Total Weight255lbs/115kg
Total Length635mm/25″
Total Width320mm/12.5″
Total Height675mm/26.5″

Price:
Complete Electrical Digital Drive System W/ 10kWh ESS   $42,500
(motor, controller, suitcase chassis, 8 battery packs)

Complete Electrical Digital Drive System W/O ESS             $24,500
(motor, controller, suitcase chassis)


Saturday, February 27, 2010

Piha Vistas



Lookout point on a Saturday morning ride for coffee. Piha Beach, West Auckland. Good coffee, great ride.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

TTXGP Electric World Series 2010

A teaser promotional video for the inaugural TTXGP world series for electric bikes. History in the making.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Aermacchi Racing

Remember those wonderful Aermacchi 250-500cc horizontal singles from the late 60's and early 1970's? A small company from Holland, Aermacchi-Racing, has been keeping that memory alive by offering Aermacchi parts, sporting kits, race bikes and specials made to order.

Dutchman Jan Kampen Jr's company has been supplying Aermacchi parts and services since 1984. For me, most interesting, are the road bikes they build using original Aermacchi engines and frames but employing modern wheels, brakes and suspension (and hopefully modern electrics too).


Groene (green) Cafe Racer

Available either as a kit or a complete bike using the 500cc, 51 bhp engine with 6 speed gearbox and Metisse replica frame using Manganese-Molybdenum 531 tubing. Front suspension is Girling 35 mm, upsidedown forks, the wheels are 2.75x17 in front, 4.00x17in. rear and front braking is provided by a single Brembo 320 mm disk with 4-piston calipers. Dry weight is 112 kg, and remember there is no water cooling for this engine.

All together these are pretty high specification bikes providing an excellent power to weight ratio. They should be incredible fun to ride and they look very cool.



For those wanting a bit more performance, Aermacchi-Racing produce some hot parts, including this double overhead cam cylinder-head and the race-spec dry clutch (pictured below).

Saturday, February 6, 2010

CMM Exibition Extended

The wonderful Collezione Motociclistica Milanese (CMM) exhibition that was due to close at the end of last year has been extended until March 14th.

This exhibition contains the best collection of Patton race bikes you will ever see. In addition to the usual excellent lineup of modern and historic bikes (including a VUN) CMM are currently featuring the DUU prototype and from the 16th of February there will be the New Zealand made CR&S Britten V1000.

CMM
Viale Col di Lana, 8
20136 Milano
Phone (+39) 02 8395011
Fax (+39) 02 89427994

VUN & DUU on Italian TV (TG5)


This interview, in Italian, features a short interview with Roberto Crepaldi with footage at the CR&S factory and the Collezione Motociclistica Milanese (CMM) museum.

In the video they talk about the "made in Milan with the heart and with the hand" aspect of VUN & DUU motorcycles. Unfortunately the video cuts off before the end of the interview.

Friday, February 5, 2010

2010 KTM LC4 Single Cylinder


Compact, lightweight, powerful and reliable. The 2010 KTM 690cc LC4 engine would be a fantastic unit to use in the VUN.

Weighing only 38kg and putting out 70hp the LC4 is in a different league than any other single cylinder engine on the market. The VUN's Rotax 650 only puts out 54hp by comparison.


A single overhead camshaft to operate the 4-valves keeps the cylinder head compact and light while the central balance shaft keeps primary vibrations to a minimum.

The engine also features an anti-slip clutch which is an important feature for large, single-cylinder engines. This ensures maximum control when entering a corner at speed by preventing rear wheel chattering.


Putting it to the test

This all sounds great on paper but what is this engine actually like to use? Is it a good peak performance engine at the expense of ridability or is it strong all round?

To help answer these questions I took a 2009 specification KTM 690 Duke on a test ride through the winding forested roads of Auckland's Waitakere Ranges.

First up: a start-stop ride through city traffic and a quick pit stop at the Hardware Cafe on the southern end of Auckland's Scenic Drive.



The LC4 engine proves to be tractable with plenty of acceleration at low RPM. This makes it very easy to ride in city conditions. But it is on Scenic Drive, the tortuously tight and twisting road that passes over the Waitakere Ranges where the KTM really proves its worth. Riding a light weight, nimble single on these roads reminds me exactly why I chose to buy a VUN. It is just one heck of a lot of fun.



The LC4's power is impressive. It is plentiful at low RPM but when you wind up to around 8,000 rpm you really feel a good kick of acceleration. It is hard to believe that all this power is coming from a single-cylinder engine. The 2009 model I rode has about 15% less power than the new 2010 model so this year's model must be really something.

The Duke handles really well and it is an all-round nice bike, well built with top quality components. For me the riding position felt too high and too upright. I prefer to sit into the bike and I am used to the prone sports bike riding position. The whole time I was riding this bike I just kept thinking... imagine this engine in my VUN.

A big thank you to Auckland Motorcycles and Power Sports (AMPS) for entrusting me with their test bike. Anyone in the Auckland region wanting a good deal on the last KTM Duke they have should head down to their showroom in Newmarket right away.

eCRP Race Bike Promotion