Blindspot Cycles hits two high points of green design with their line of reconditioned electric motorcycles. These discarded beauties are first found at junk yards and then converted with a rack of batteries, electric motors and controls. Think of it as Mad Max meets Tesla. I spent an afternoon at their shop talking with the owner Chris Ravana about not just bikes but how we can rethink sustainability from the ground up – read on for an exclusive report!
The principles that shape the construction of these bikes are straight forward: reuse it, keep it local, and make it work and look good. Reuse starts with a trip to a salvage yard looking for the right cycle. All makes and models have potential. They first help a client choose just the right ride. Now comes the fun part: stripping the unit down. They are looking to keep the bike’s feel but replace the internal combustion engine with and electric powertrain.
These reclaimed motorcycles squeeze the past and future together. Coupled with a DND DC permanent magnet electric motor, a set of Deka brand AGM batteries and some styling you get a homebrew, super efficient ride. If they can find it salvaged rather than new it goes on. If it is high quality and American made then it goes in. As far as looking good we will let you, our dear reader, be the judge.
I love this way of thinking. Starting from a clean slate isnt always the best option.
[...] This E-Trike, which is a prototype, is charged from a 750-watt array of six solar panels that are on the roof of Hadar’s studio. The chopper is 8.4 feet long and has a large 20-inch front wheel and 26-inch wheels at the back. Flat out, Hadar says that the bike is capable of 45mph. With even Orange County Choppers rolling out an electric motorcycle, we’re excited to see trends shifting towards classic electric cycles. [...]