'leccy cool

So this was parked at work today:

Very practical little bike for farmers and around town.  And built here in NZ!

http://www.ubcobikes.com/

It's not wrong to like them...

Bogan's Tag

I just had to post this!

One of our local clever-clogs has been in the process of developing his own electric bike and the other day he managed to nab the Manawatu tag on it and also post up a new one.

I reckon he's set a few records here: 1st tag on an electric bike and 1st tag on a home built special! Hat's off!

More on Bogan's bike here.

'lectric bikes

Seeing more and more articles on electric bikes these days. I still reckon I'd miss an infernal [sic] combustion engine and they still don't have nearly the range I'd need but I think that they'll slowly start to make inroads into the commuter market. The MotoCzysz effort at the Isle of Man was certainly impressive and the below effort (the Brammo Empulse) is starting to get closer to what motorcyclists are looking for.

Articles on the Brammo:

http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2010-07/brammo-empulse-new-100-mph-king-consumer-electric-motorcycles-sold-best-buy

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/newsandupdates/motorcycle_news/122_1007_first_look_brammo_empulse/index.html

Sparks flying

Yep, electric bikes at the IOM this year. 87mph average and 1 lap is a long way from 131mph of the petrol-heads but pretty interesting.

Article here.

Wood power?

Interesting. Not sure how easy it would be to install on a bike...a fireplace instead of a fuel tank?

http://www.sunjournal.com/story/318329-3/LewistonAuburn/Wood_powers_pickup/

http://blog.safehandling.com/

How to ruin an RF

Electric RF

35 mile range, 55 mph top speed........

Back to the drawing board........

Electrickery

Still dunno about 'letric bikes: http://evdrive.com/Emoto_project/moto_project.html

Green Vehicles

Found these couple of links on the Kneeslider to a couple of different options on green vehicles.

The first, is cars running on compressed air - nothing new but they seemed to have upped the efficiency and got on board compressors for recharging. Sort of a fossil fuel/compressed air hybrid.

The second, I really like - a guy converting big yank tanks to biodiesel but also using a few other tricks like hydrogen to really increase the efficiency & performance. Like the idea of having performance with economy.

Personally do not think batteries are the go but perhaps could see myself on a diesel Concours if it's quiet, smooth, powerful & economical...