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[Mike Werner]

Here is a very cool video from BMW of the manufacturing of the C Evolution, which if you have seen ICE bike being made, looks nothing like it.



(Sorry, could only paste the link since am on trip)

[Richard230]

Not exactly the way things are done at the Zero factory.   

[MostlyBonkers]

Just got round to watching. Great video, very interesting. Thanks for posting Mike.

I wonder what's different at Zero...?

[protomech]

Zero's assembly line seems a little more manual - I haven't seen it in action, but I've toured the facility. Could be responsible for some of their initial quality issues.

The BMW C Evolution appears to use 3 of the same modules that are used (8) for the BMW i3. So that's 3 x 12 60 Ah cells in series, I think 3.8V per cell. 136.8V 60Ah = 8.2 kWh nominal.

(click to make big)

[NoiseBoy]

That is manual compared to their car production.

That battery box is a serious casting. I wonder how it handles with what is essentially a monocoque chassis.

[BSDThw]

That is really built a bike around the powertrain.

I think for BMW it is pocket money, For Zero it was building a complete structure.
I still honor what Zero is doing.

[Mike Werner]

That is manual compared to their car production.

That battery box is a serious casting. I wonder how it handles with what is essentially a monocoque chassis.

It handles very well. I've been riding it almost everyday that I am home, and riding fast through traffic, curves, hills.. it handles like a dream, easier than my Ducati. You can feel that the bike has been built with quality standards, almost to perfection.

And yes, for BMW this is just an experiment, a but like Harley with their electric bike. But in contrast to Harley, they are selling the electric scoot, but in small amounts (100 in France). They want to see the reactions of people before they decide to adjust the model, and go for different types.

[NoiseBoy]

Oh so it isn't mass production with full dealer training etc? That's a shame.

[Mike Werner]

Oh so it isn't mass production with full dealer training etc? That's a shame.

Well.. define mass. A few thousand in total I'd guess. And dealers get to do the basics, like brake pads, 12V battery, etc. The casing with the i3 batteries can only be handled by BMW staff. The dealers do think they'll get a crack at it later this year if things work out at planned.

[ctrlburn]

0:45
"Daddy... What do you do at BMW?"
"I stand with a long, non-conductive pole while the new guy hooks up batteries."

Wow - Health and Safety thinks of everything.