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When Siemens decided they wanted an electric vehicle to showcase their wind energy systems, a custom motorcycle from Orange County Choppers was an obvious choice. Their stylized custom bikes are eye-catching masterpieces that still attract attention even after years of publicity on American Chopper.
Sure, Orange County Choppers could create a beautiful motorcycle, but could they make it electric?
The task it not as simple as it seems. To provide enough power and range to be practical, an electric motorcycle needs several heavy batteries, strung in a bulky series. Driving a bike weighed down with all those batteries requires a large motor, which can be difficult to fit onto a motorcycle frame. Then, there's the electrical system. From the potentiometer that acts as a throttle, to the wiring of the battery charger, an electric motorcycle requires specialized electronics knowledge that is simply not the domain of even highly skilled mechanics.
Of course, this does not mean it's impossible. Several prototype electric motorcycles have appeared and even some dedicated DIYers have had success. Even if it had never been done before, the crew at Orange County Choppers are not the kind to shy away from a project just because it's uncommon or difficult.
Watch the American Chopper Green Build Slideshow
The team began by developing a design, based on Paul Sr.'s tour of a Siemens wind turbine factory, and making some important performance decisions. They elected to use a high-voltage motor, despite the increased size and power requirements, so the bike could achieve speeds of 100 mph or more.
Once the design was finalized, the long building process began. Finding a novel way to position the batteries and stripping unnecessary parts from the motor allowed the bulky internals of the bike to come together. Then, it was all about fabrication. After days of welding sheet metal and round bar, the internal body of the bike was complete.
With that finished, it was just a matter of attaching the molded body panels and wiring the electrical system. Though this turned out to be harder than it initially seemed, and several people were electrocuted in the process, the crew eventually figured it out and the bike was completed; just under deadline.
The result is truly amazing. Have a look in our slideshow of the finished motorcycle and in the episode: American Chopper: Green Build on TLC.
Watch Videos from the Green Build on Planet Green
Watch Paul Sr. Talk About the Green Bike on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brian
Read more about green motorcycles:
7 Electric Motorcycles You Must See
Improve Your Motorcycle's Gas Mileage with These 10 Tips
Holter Graham on the Eco Merits of the Motorcycle
6 Green Scooter Safety Tips
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