Marlio Escobar Converts Vintage Motorcycles Into Custom Electric Motorcycles

August nineteenth, 2020 by Susanna Schick 

Customized electrified CB200, construct and picture by Marlio Escobar

Like many CleanTechnica readers, Marlio Escobar wished an electrical motorbike, however not an unsightly, costly one. He wished a cool electrical motorbike that match inside his price range. So he constructed one. And he’ll construct you one too. Marlio takes classic bikes (typically nothing greater than an outdated body!) and remakes them into cool electrical bikes. He appeared on the costs of electrical bikes and thought “there’s no approach I’m spending that a lot cash on a motorcycle I can construct!” The primary one price him $60,000 to construct, however now he builds them for $5,000. That price consists of the motorbike, as a result of classic bikes are virtually given away due to a dearth of components. He purchased a Honda CB200 body for $100. However he’ll fortunately repair any bike, classic to fashionable. Marlio has even transformed a Suzuki Hayabusa.

4 years in the past, Marlio began this endeavor to avoid wasting on fuel cash. He wished one thing that might get him to and from work, a 60-mile commute round-trip. At first, he deliberate to construct an electrical bicycle for this function. As a part of that undertaking, he went to get a tire modified on a set of electrical hub wheels. The mechanic was interested by his undertaking and invited him to construct an electrical motorbike collectively for show on the Philadelphia auto present. And now Marlio has kits that may work on many frames, to make an electrical motorbike able to as much as 200 miles per cost at 75-80mph. The Kawasaki Ninja 250 he transformed is now a 550-pound electrical beast. Marlio explains that by preserving the gearbox, he will get 40-50 lbs of torque per gear, which helps enormously with the vary. That is on a 3 kW motor with a 4-speed transmission able to a 90-mph prime pace. Right here is his video of that conversion. Specs are under.

Customized electrical Ninjas being stealthy as at all times. Builds and picture by Marlio Escobar

His package for the CB200 was just a little totally different, as he wished to make it look acceptable to the classic  motorbike. The motor is a hub motor, 8 kW 105 Ah, which matches the look of the rear wheel’s drum brake. His transformed electrical CB200 can blow away the 1/8^th mile in 4 seconds, based on Marlio. To make it house after that run, simply dial down the torque with the app and get 80-90 miles of vary out of it. Marlio constructed this CB200 in just some days.

Customized electrical CB200, construct and picture by Marlio Escobar

Marlio enjoys speaking to individuals about what they need. He desires to convey customized electrical bikes to the lots, to point out individuals tips on how to put it collectively and customise their construct. Because the largest concern with electrical bikes is vary, he wished to have the ability to beat that. So he constructed a package able to getting as much as 200 miles of vary at freeway speeds by minimizing the amps it makes use of. Marlio talked about {that a} Zero is pulling 200-300 amps it doesn’t matter what you’re doing, so the vary will not be superb. I requested if he had an app like my Zero does. There’s certainly an app for that. He developed an app which allows the proprietor to switch the watts, amps, and regenerative braking. After I requested him how he received into this, he informed me he’s a giant battery whiz and was interested by determining density and output, at all times on the lookout for the best battery. He simply performed round with it whereas consulting for a battery firm. Now he’s actually into inexperienced power and has his personal inexperienced power/improvement firm. He works with builders on creating solar-powered buildings. Observe the adventures of DIY Man and see what else he builds on YouTube and on Instagram.

Marlio Escobar and his electrical CB200 reproduction, construct and picture by Marlio Escobar

Marlio want to thank the next individuals for serving to him convey his dream to life:

Raul, proprietor of Electric Motorsport in California, for transferring him towards electrical bikes and strolling him by means of his first construct.

Ambler EV in Ambler, PA that focuses on EV conversions for permitting Marlio to work out of their store.

ASI technology in Canada produces a few of the finest controllers in the marketplace and helped him to develop the proper controller. Their product is nice as a result of you’ll be able to change your energy specs on the fly by means of their app.

Escobar CB200 specs:

• CB200 body
• GXSR 600 entrance forks
• ASI Bosch BAC8000 controller
• 3 LG chemical batteries
• 1 kWh
• 8 kW hub motor
• 70 mph prime pace
• 80 miles of vary

Escobar Blue Ninja specs:

• Kawasaki Ninja 250
• ASI Bosch BAC8000 controller
• 86v 480 a123 26650 cells
• 2 kWh
• 8 kW hub motor
• 85 mph prime pace
• 50 miles of vary
• 3.9 seconds within the 1/8 mile

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Tags: batteries, DIY, electric motorcycles, motorcycles, Range anxiety, vintage electric motorcycles

In regards to the Creator

Susanna Schick Susanna is captivated with something quick and electrical. So long as it is solely received two wheels. Which is why she’s now primarily based in Barcelona, Spain and glad to dwell in a metropolis transferring quickly towards full freedom from automobiles. She covers electrical motorbike racing occasions, city mobility, take a look at rides electrical bikes, and interviews trade leaders.