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General Category => Pics and Vids => Topic started by: upgarage on August 09, 2013, 12:44:14 PM

Title: Hotroding my XU
Post by: upgarage on August 09, 2013, 12:44:14 PM
I am new to the EV forum world. This will be my third year of working with battery powered vehicles. No cars in my garage yet but just purchased a wrecked Nissan, Leaf in L.A.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200948099278&ssPageName=ADME:B:CMB:MOTORS:1123#ht_24892wt_1165 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200948099278&ssPageName=ADME:B:CMB:MOTORS:1123#ht_24892wt_1165)

Not sure why the listing says $9900. The buy it now was $7000

Here are a few of my projects.

http://s190.photobucket.com/user/upgarageusa/media/EV%20Stuff/2010Sloweredseatblurry_zps92aa2b38.jpg.html (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/upgarageusa/media/EV%20Stuff/2010Sloweredseatblurry_zps92aa2b38.jpg.html)

http://s190.photobucket.com/user/upgarageusa/media/EV%20Stuff/RedKarttogetherfr.jpg.html (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/upgarageusa/media/EV%20Stuff/RedKarttogetherfr.jpg.html)

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z224/upgarageusa/EV%20Stuff/DSCF3601.jpg (http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z224/upgarageusa/EV%20Stuff/DSCF3601.jpg)
http://s190.photobucket.com/user/upgarageusa/media/EV%20Stuff/DSCF3602.jpg.html (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/upgarageusa/media/EV%20Stuff/DSCF3602.jpg.html)

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z224/upgarageusa/EV%20Stuff/ZeroXfrontright.jpg (http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z224/upgarageusa/EV%20Stuff/ZeroXfrontright.jpg)
Moved the motor back for better chain function
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z224/upgarageusa/EV%20Stuff/DSCF3622.jpg (http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z224/upgarageusa/EV%20Stuff/DSCF3622.jpg)

Most recent is my 2013, ZERO, XU. Firstly, before even riding it, the 200A controller went on the shelf and the 400A unit went in. Harlan, whom I purchased the bike from, was so kind as to install and re-program the Size4, with the FX's profile. The Size 4 is a BOLT IN! This turned the really fun bike into the most exciting motorcycle I have owned and there have been plenty of very fast big bore bikes in my past.

There isn't much touring in my life these days. The furthest I go is to Seattle(40mi) and the XU does a fine job of getting me there with a constant smile. The bike needs a windscreen badly. So much buffeting. Naked bikes look cool but faired bikes ride better. :)

The next project was to upgrade the charging system. The dual Meanwells, mean well but don't get the job done in the time allotted. My solution was to add two more Meanwells and cut charging time in half. :)

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z224/upgarageusa/EV%20Stuff/2013XUadditonalchargersrearboth.jpg (http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z224/upgarageusa/EV%20Stuff/2013XUadditonalchargersrearboth.jpg)

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z224/upgarageusa/EV%20Stuff/2013additionalchargersbottom.jpg (http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z224/upgarageusa/EV%20Stuff/2013additionalchargersbottom.jpg)

Next, the factory rear brake, for most uses, was not necessary( my opinion) because of the strong regen braking, so all of the related parts fell off the bike one evening. Its so much cleaner looking now.

Sometimes a rear brake is handy so I put a lightweight brake assembly on the motor shaft.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z224/upgarageusa/2013XUmotorshaftbrake.jpg (http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z224/upgarageusa/2013XUmotorshaftbrake.jpg)


There are more modifications to come!




Title: Re: Hotroding my XU
Post by: NoiseBoy on August 09, 2013, 03:41:32 PM
Great work!  That rear brake is a very elegant solution, i could imagine that being very useful on a race bike, think of the weight saving on the rear wheel.  Is it activated by a standard mountain bike MC on the left bar where the clutch would be?

What made you get the XU and then upgrade rather than buying the FX?
Title: Re: Hotroding my XU
Post by: upgarage on August 09, 2013, 08:50:57 PM
Is it activated by a standard mountain bike MC on the left bar where the clutch would be?

 Yes, right where all rear brakes should be. I find it very easy to use and the location gives me better control over the brake.

[/quote]What made you get the XU and then upgrade rather than buying the FX?
[/quote]

 For me, the low COG and being so light, makes the XU the most fun bike to ride on the street. I rode the FX for half a day up at Hollister and it was the most fun I have ever had on a dirt bike(30yrs riding). The power delivery and the belt drive gave me new perspective on how riding can be. No complaints, whatsoever. If I was going to ride more in the dirt than street, the FX would be the one to own, no question.
Title: Re: Hotroding my XU
Post by: BSDThw on August 10, 2013, 10:32:09 AM
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Yes, right where all rear brakes should be. I find it very easy to use and the location gives me better control over the brake.
I think it would not be legal here because if the belt fails your brake is gone (OK if every part of a brake fails it is the same!)

How is the brake doing with the high rotation speed at the sprocket?

When I saw your construction I was thinking why not making a fan in the same way? Certainly it should blow the air away from the motor and not sucking in your trousers.
Title: Re: Hotroding my XU
Post by: upgarage on August 11, 2013, 05:27:59 AM

I think it would not be legal here because if the belt fails your brake is gone

Since I do not use my rear brake during dry pavement stops, I am not concerned


[/quote]How is the brake doing with the high rotation speed at the sprocket?[/quote]

Wet weather stops do not present an issue with heat, if that is your concern. No noise or vibration from the rotor/pad interface. High quality pads and caliper are neccesary.