What are the electric scooter laws in California?

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Al Francis

I'm unable to get a licence so the best I can really do is get a scooter. I'd like to at least get around town easier without relying on public transportation. I've done a little bit of research in which people say its possible to ride a scooter that clocks out at a speed of 20 mph and no more without a licence. The kind of scooter i'm talking about looks like a gas powered scooter but is actually just an electric assisted bike. there's so many places on the internet to look but I just want to hear someone from California to confirm what I can ride. I'd greatly appreciate your help`
the type of scooter i'm looking at is electric and does not require gas. it has slip on pedals and has no exhaust.

Answer
http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/motors.html is useless -- does not cover the new electrical scooters. Not to mention that the CHP sometimes ignores the law. It you want to be legal, read the law from the Legislature: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=veh

A CVC 407.5 "motorized scooter" is a stand-on vehicle, such as a Razor or Go-Ped. Such is legal on the streets, requires a driver's license of some sort. See CVC 21220-21235.

You want something that looks like a motor-scooter, that looks like a Vespa. That will be a CVC 406 "motorized bicycle" or "moped." If electric powered it can do 20 mph if it can also be pedaled, or if no pedals it can do 30 mph. To be legal on the streets you need to have a Class M2 motorcycle driver's license.

You say you cannot get a license? You are up sh*t creek -- there is *NO* motorized vehicle you can legally ride without a driver's license. Why not? Under age or what? If 18-20 years of age you can take the CMSP class, go to the DMV and pass the written and eye tests and walk out with a motorcycle permit. If 21, don't even need the CMSP class.

Otherwise, about all you can do is get a pedal bicycle. Legally. You can buy a bicycle wheel with a motor in the hub and a battery in your panniers and ride in stealth mode, illegally.

Does anyone have any experience with a velomobile?

Breath on

With an increased interest in alternative forms of transportation it would seem that a velomobile would be a natural. Downhill breaking is problematic in a velomobile so with the addition of electric assist and regenerative breaking this issue may be resolved.

Answer
My experience has been mostly with solar car racing and recumbent trikes. I also have electrical/electronics qualifications.

The problem with regenerative braking in a relatively light vehicle is there is not that much energy to be recovered. Most systems that can deliver regenerative braking have a more complicated or a very expensive drive system.

Any energy recaptured during regenerative braking comes from momentum (kinetic energy = 1/2 mass x velocity squared).(Note momentum will be affected by gravity) Even with some of the best technology around, it is unlikely that much more than about 80% of this energy could be utilized. With commercial available equipment this percentage drops dramatically.

My experience has been that for day-to-day travelling there are few hills where speed becomes excessive to the point where braking is required. Generally if you coast down hills the forces of wind and rolling resistance will balance out gravity at a manageable speed.

Adding an electric assist kit will make climbing the hills quicker and easier, but also adds complexity and expense to your machine. Regenerative braking ultimately only extends the range of the battery by a very small percentage.

There are a few systems around (not many) that enable the motor to be used as a peddle generator, when coasting or stationary. I find this a more interesting feature as the machine can then be used as a mobile power source.

Also be aware that a velomobile is much heavier than the humble bicycle. This means that it will accelerate at a slower rate for the same effort (Force =mass x acceleration). Most will eventually reach much higher cruising speeds, though in many real life applications the stops and starts often mean the difference in travel times is marginal


There are a few companies that have been experimenting with electric and regenerative systems for their versions of the velomobile. Here are a couple you might find interesting.
http://www.aerorider.com/
http://www.twike.us/


Various aftermarket kits for http://www.go-one.us/index.html

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How do I make an effective budget on $1,200 a month?

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Christine

I'm paying $300 or more on my car, $100.00 on car insurance, roughly $80 on gas, and $40 on the gym. I also pay the electric bill for my parents in place of rent, which can be anywhere between $140-$220. My credit bill tends to be around $400 (it includes the gas and I know I really need to get a handle on it).
When I did a budget for this month, I only had $186 left over (yikes!) and I am trying to save so I can pay for spring tuition and to move out with my boyfriend, so I'm looking for all the dirty tips and tricks I can use to cut down my expenses. Any advice will be much appreciated.
Just to clarify things - my spending habits are usually pretty good. The past couple of months have just been killer with paying for fall tuition, textbooks, and I very expensive vet bill. I went from having over $3,000 in my checking account to $400. I've been doing over payments on my car so I can get it paid off sooner, and I tend to buy a lot of things for my parents.
The gym membership is here to stay though, it's the only thing motivating me to get off my lazy butt and get in a good workout instead of reading all day.

Answer
180 divided by 3=your personal budget, savings budget and food budget. Stop eating out, you'll save, stop drinking cokes, things from vending machines, you'll save. Write down what are the absolute essentials and eliminate what is not. Can you get by on a bike instead? Instants major savings. Just saying. If you can't what about public transportation? Major savings. Ditch the car for awhile, that's all I'm saying while you save for spring tuition.. Libraries are free if you want to read I love to read also. Water is free. Teabags are cheaper and more economical than coffee and lattes, expressos so forth. Don't buy them individually. Look up thrifty living online you will get a lot of useful information. Gym memberships are useful and pretty practical, so ignore the peanut gallery. Parks are free if you want to walk while looking at the scenery. If you want to make more money, collect aluminum cans for recycling. See if there's other metal that they buy but you'll need your driver's license.

How can I live a more environmentally conscious life?

Q. I am learning more about global warming and the impact a family of four has on this earth versus 250 people in an undeveloped nation. Things like this really make me want to get more involved and lessen my footprint on the earth, but how? Where do I start? I want to vote for the right laws to help this but I don't understand them all. I can't afford an electric car or to start using a solar panel for energy, so how can I help?

Answer
The four corner stones of the current environmental movement are Reduce, Recycle, Re-use, and Re-purpose with a theme of Sustainability. The good news is that most of us have plenty of eco-friendly opportunities available to us with equally commiserate financial rewards. In some cases, it does take an investment of time or money before the savings can be realised.

I often suggest that people start scouring the "frugal living" sites and boards for as whole host of money saving ideas. Money is but one resource we use. What we spend our money on involves a whole host of additional resources. Saving resources is what the Reduce, Re-use, and Re-purposing cornerstones are all about. For a personal inventory of opportunity, start by peering into your garbage, recycle, and waste cans and bins. Do you see paper napkins, paper towels, disposable wipes, or individual serving containers in your waste stream? What types of chemical based items do you see in terms of cleaning, garden, and other non-food items? Start with those things that are easy to remedy even if they are a small, over all portion of your waste stream.

Another area to take a personal inventory from is your budgeting system, check book, credit card receipts, cash receipts, bills, etc... These also tell you what you spend your money on, buy, and consume. You may want to address utility bills and/or the resources used that generate those bills. This could be things like using less electricity or water, using less vehicle fuel through combined trips, and so on. Or you could discover that maybe off-road racing could be replaced by pedle bike racing for both an economic and an environmental savings. Some people take up visiting their local library more often for both an economic and environmental savings.

Reviewing one's spending habits also brings up the idea of doing more active purchasing decision making which can also reduce certain types of consumption and hence resource use. Doing things like taking an closet inventory before hitting the mall can help one realise that what they really need is a coordinating piece to something they already own versus a whole new outfit. Developing honest needs criteria and purchasing decisions on tools, equipment, and supplies for either the home or garage; you can add additional environmentally conscious criteria such as durability as you choose too.

For many, minimalist living is not particularly functional for most of us trying to also be environmentally conscious. You may see the need for better window treatments, different landscaping, or some just plain caulk even if you are "only a renter". Cloth linens like napkins, towels, and scrub rags may be an investment opportunity for both financial and enviornmental returns. Individual glass serving containers, a stainless water bottle, and so on may work for you. To be able to honestly Re-use and Re-purpose, most of us need some tools of the trade, to learn some skills, and be able to think outside of the box within the Do-It-Yourself (DYI) frame of mind too.

Start small and with the easy stuff; what may be easy for you is not necessarily going to be easy for me. It's a whole life style change with a number of economic and health benefits that simply happen in the process. And, the opportunities simply keep on coming in easier and easier modes as the rest of the community comes on board.

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I want to buy an electric bike. Which is the best one around?

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vaibhav b

I am a 16 year old student and I am looking to buy an electric bike. I have heard that electric bikes are better than the conventional bikes since they do not cause any pollution. But I am apprehensive about the ride quality. I am also confused about which one should I buy. I am from India and do not much about this field.

Answer
A HARLEY DAVIDSON! Or you could choose any type of Shwinn.. Those are good ones.

Is electric bike easy for someone who has never ride on a bike before?

Mark

Is electric bike easy for someone who has never ride on a bike before?

Answer
NO! The extra weight of the battery & motor will just make it more difficult to learn balance. For the price of just one electric assist bicycle - you could buy three to four really good pedal bicycles.

Electric assist bike - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/electric_assist/t80_plus_gl/#
Fitness bike - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/fitness/fx/7_2_fx/#

$2,099.99 or $549.99? Your choice. I'd take the $550 bike. It'll last longer too.

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What is the best way to purchase a moped / electric scooter?

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StraightBa

I have decided to buy a moped (or electric scooter) to use casually around my neighborhood (not for extremely long hauls).

Since I don't know much about mopeds, the only place I went to was vespa.com. Most of their options are extremely expensive. I'm looking to spend no more than $1,000.

I'm looking for recommendations about obtaining one. Are their other good companies besides vespa? Are their moped/dealer shops that I could visit locally to actually see the different options.

Should I go and test drive one, like I do with cars? Or is this something I should simply buy online (and go that route).

Any other things I should be looking for?

Answer
Mopeds have pedals, scooters have floorboards.
Vespas are scooters, expensive scooters. You can get around just as well on other brands like Kymco, Genuine, Piaggio, Yamaha, Sym, and Honda but you aren't going to get any of those new for $1000.
You might be able to get a Chinese scooter new for that but even that is doubtful since scooter prices have gone up quite a bit. Also from what I hear many of shops are out of scooters these days so you might want to call around to see who has what.
I read a good review on a Velocity electric scooter but I don't know the cost.
As far as mopeds you might call some bicycle stores and see if they carry electric bikes. I have never seen one in a scooter or motorcycle dealer.
You might be able to find something used on Craigslist.
Other things....
Check into what your local laws are for licensing. In CA we have to have a M2 license even for mopeds. Some states don't require anything for up to 50cc scooters.
Figure out how fast you will need to go before you buy something. Don't get a scooter that top ends at 30 when you have to get on roads where traffic goes 45.
If you want to get more info on drop ship (online) scooters check out the scootdawg forum. A lot of the people there own Chinese scooters and might be able to point you towards better brands and dealers.

Information on purchasing an electric bicycle?

Joyce Z

I'm thinking of getting an electric bicycle (to save on fuel costs)--does anyone have any personal information on electric bikes or recommendations on which brand?
Would also like to hear good/bad experiences any of you have had and especially what to avoid when purchasing one.
Thanks

Answer
Congratulations on considering your ebike purchase. It is one of the best transportation decisions you can make; you will be healthier and have more money in your pocket.

A recent case study:
An 8 mile commute to work, for a employee..desk job,. works out at the gym twice weekly.

has stoplights, hilly terrain. usually picks up odds and ends at store on way home from work.

fairly dry climate, 6 month fairly comfy riding season; mornings 45F or better, afternoons seldom above 90F, usually mid 80's.

married, 1 child, two car family. : Driving in town 9000 miles per year on car #2. Going to cut that in half --down by 4500 miles --- most trips under 10 miles each way.

Car averages about 15 mpg in town so that is an even 300 gallons of gas, figure 3.50/gal... $1050.

not taking the car to work much any more, will save about $100 for six months insurance.

that's $1150. plus an oil change or two,. for $1200.. maybe a little more. Also looses about 5 pounds per month.

what can one getfor that?
You can get a top rated ebike kit a Bionx 350 w 36v NIMH kit for $1200!
A Bionx NIMH 36v 350w Ebike kit, judged one of the Best in the USA, to go on Your bike for $100 labor, or do the work yourself and save the$100.

http://www.birdrv.com/bionx-p350-electric-bicycle-kit.php
Dealer in Denver with service, parts, test rides, outstanding support.

Ok another well rated Ebike is the EZEE brand, Try Seattle or Oceanside:
http://www.electricvehiclesnw.com/main/contact.htm Cost a little more, but comes on a bike.

I support both of these and they are great in all respects.

East coast-- another good guy:
http://nycewheels.com/

What are the horror stories I hear:

People that dont respect that these are Electric ASSIST bicyles and require you to pedal (but not hard), they treat them like mopeds, and they dont last. (however there are many people that understand that these are e-assist bikes and get 8 + years out of them)

People that overestimate their mechanical ability and try to install complicated kits themselve- yet they could not change a tire.

People that get scammed on ebay by trying to get a bargain on something they know little about.

So good luck. If you do your research, honest about your needs, get references about the bike and the dealer before you buy, you will be happy.


there will be an ebike race In Portland OR. at the end of May. Email me for more info.

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Am i allowed to ride a moped in the UK with my German drivers license which includes class M?

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john5879

class M of the german drivers license includes according to wikipedia, Two-wheel vehicles or three-wheel vehicles with a maximum design speed of not more than 45 km/h and with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimetres.

thank you!

also

Answer
Yes, you'll be fine. You can ride a super-ped if you like. The Piaggio MP3 variants.
The only 250cc 400cc or 500 cc bikes you can ride in the UK with only a normal car driving license, no bike license needed.
They are petrol/electric hybrid 3-wheel bikes with very good fuel economy, excellent road grip, tilting suspension on the two front wheels and a decent performance including a quoted 0 - 60mph in 5 seconds for the 500cc but some people have had reliability problems with them, and they are not cheap.
http://www.bmgscooters.com/shop/product/piaggio_mp3_500_lt_sport_2012
Scroll down for the driving/riding requirements
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PIAGGIO-MP3-400-LT-Moped-Scooter-Bike-Trike-Motorbike-/160767040414?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item256e765b9e
En Francais but the video is of better quality than the others and mostly very sharp. Some good scenery and good views of the bike in actiion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=859ufa2ZSSs
Bitte bitte and enjoy sunny England. Sunshine is timed for 1430 - 1630 on Sunday this week at today's guesscast.
Hope you can make it. Gute Reise!





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Should I Buy A Electric Pit Bike Or Standard Kick Start Only Pit Bike?

A54D

I want to buy one of the following pit bikes as I am on a low budget and just want a pit bike for fun this summer, I like the electric start pit bike as it has a battery and I can add extras like lights and indicators to it, but it's engine looks like dirt and I don't know how it will perform, but the standard one looks like a better engine and it performs well as I had the same one a few years ago. NO STUPID ANSWERS

Standard pit bike: 
http://www.mypurerush.com/pit-bikes-1/akuma-assassin-pit-bikes/125cc-pit-bikes/2011-akuma-assassin-mk3-125cc-white-pit-bike.html

Electric start pit bikes: 
http://www.4u-all.co.uk/off-road-bikes-html/off-road-bikes-yellow

http://www.amazon.co.uk/125cc-Pro-Dirt-Bike-Scrambler/dp/B004QBLVI4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336414443&sr=8-1

Date Asked: 07/05/2012
I am buying a gas one, I mean electric start

Answer
Gas and it is not July yet

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Why have ebikes, electric mopeds and electric scooters largely disappeared from North American cities?

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sally

Who is "killing" the Electric Bike (aka Electric Scooter) in US and Canada? Many retail shops have closed, from Boston to Vancouver. North American manufacturers (Nova Cruz, Wavecrest, Bionx, Egovehicles) have gone under or are selling much less than they did before.

In comparison, in most of Asia, sales of ebikes are surging? Is it the economy collapse? Is it government? Is it the big auto companies? Is it battery companies? Is it some other factor?

Answer
All these smaller vehicles are disappearing mainly because of our affluence. As all the household get affluent they do not want smaller bikes and cars and go for bigger ones. Also it creates a fashion and so the not so affluent also aim to buy it. In due course there is no takers and they die a natural death.
Take the case of China where a decade ago there were thousands of cycles in the main cities and now they are all replaced with bikes and cars. So is the case of India. Once it was having a lot of 100 cc bikes but now it is n the decline. So it is the life style and not the government or oil companies who are responsible for it.

how much will my business increase with a toll free number?

dani_CH

I sell large ticket items, electric bikes at a web site USAebikes.com. How many more calls would I get if I changed to a toll free number? Most customers won't order without talking to me as there are often many questions about my bikes.

Answer
None. Everyone has free long distance.

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What is the ballpark value for a 1990 Yamaha xt600E enduro that needs some work? it runs,shifts,& stops.?

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goodnevil

few scratches, few dents, electric start, everythings works, just needs some time and care. burns a little oil. cant keep, need to sell. not sur what its worth

Answer
I buy and sell a lot. When I sell, for a "decent bike" 15 yrs or older, with no major problems, I charge a dollar a cc. Seems fair to me, I sell a lot of bikes.

Where does the energy to generate the electricity of a Dynamo come from?

Zee

I am curious about this topic.
Also,
What will affect how much electric current the Dynamo generates?

Thankyou

Answer
Hello Zee, it is so curious to explain such things to those who is realy thirsty to know about. Good. Energy is the ultimate. Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed. But it could be changed from one form into another. Now in case of dynamo, the electro magnetic induction is used. The basic priciple is that when we rotate a coil in a magnetic field such that the magnetic flux gets cut or change then an induced emf is produced. So we have to rotate the coil by any means. We could rotate just by pedalling. That is the case of a dynamo working in case of a bike. Or else we can use fuel to run the engine ie petrol or diesel. Or we can use the water stored in a reservoir to fall and the kinetic energy of the falling water would be used to run the turbine, I mean the wheel. Or we can convert water into high pressurized steam with which we can do the rotation. To produce steam we need heat energy. That heat energy could be obtained from coal or by using atomic fission reaction in Uranium material. So basic idea is we have to rotate the coil. If you just rotate the fly wheel in case of a generator, you would experience an opposing force not allowing you to rotate. This is due to the induced emf. So if you provide enough energy to overcome such opposition, then you perform work and that energy would be the source to produce electrical energy. Any way as you supply 100 you will be getting only 40 or 50. This is due to many losses. That could be minimised as far as possible using our intelligence. So efficiency could be reaised any way upto 60 or 70 percent.
Now regarding the electriciy produced you have to understand the following details.
Energy per unit time is known as power. So electrical power is denoted by P
This P = V I. Here V is the voltage and I is current produced. So for a given P, if V is less then I will be more. But this is not good in case of sending current to far distance. Because of lengthy wire the resistance R would become larger. And due to this power loss usually named as I^2 R loss would become more. So it will be advisable to reduce the current I as far as possible. So V would be raised to very high value such as 100 thousand volt. For this we use step up transformer. Then at the consumer end once again the volt will be stepped down using transformers. That is why we see transformers erected at the borders of city and also at some locations within city. Better learn more in detail about current and voltage.

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Where's the cheapest place to buy an electric bike in the UK?

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azmatick

Or can i get an electric bike kit add on for my bike?

Answer
Try these two groups, they have some significant UK content:

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/electricbikes/

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/index.php

What are the steps to make an electric bike out of items that are not 100$?

teal289

How do I make a motor for a electric bike what pieces do I need ?

Answer
To make a high-quality one that can go fairly fast, you probably couldn't.

On the other hand, if you don't want to go above 15-20mph, you could probably make one for under $100. Buy a cheap broken electric scooter. Chances are the motor on it still works and you can use that. Those motors can get you going close to 20mph with the right gear ratios.

A motor controller could also be obtained from a scooter, or, if the motor you are using is not significantly powerful (<36v), you could probably buy a brand new controller for fairly cheap.

Batteries may cost a little more, but you could get sealed lead acid batteries for under $100 for sure.

Plus, their are the little things like the throttle, which is generally a potentiometer. These can be very cheap on Ebay.

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How many Solar cells are required?

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gk s

Hi all

I have a motor which runs on Battery power. The motor is 350 W and I have 3 batteries of 12 V, 12 AH. What would be the solar panel size required for charging this battery pack.

Can I get solar cells in Bangalore to build my own panel ?

Thanks
Salil

Answer
About 450 watt-hours - that sounds like an electric bike battery. Is it 36 volts?

What you need is to find a 200-watt panel with a max power voltage of 42 volts or more, or two, 100-watt panels in series. 100-watt panels are not the mainstream, anymore, so you may have to go with 165-watt.

You would also need a charge controller for the battery pack. I've seen some electric bikes here with a switching power supply for their charger. For those, I believe you could wire the charger directly to high voltage DC, and it would work. But you would need to supply the mains voltage times 1.4 to the charger. That means 150 volts at least in my area, which implies 6 panels. Expensive, unless you already have such an array for other purposes.

Sorry, I don't have a source for individual cells. They are sold on craigslist where I live. But my personal opinion is that building your own panel is a poor value - it costs almost as much, and won't last very long.

What is the price of YO bikes in Delhi & NCR?

Q.

Answer
Probably about the same as yo bikes in Bangalore. Maybe you should checkout electric bikes in general and not just one brand

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What do I need to do and what should I know about moving out?

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Danny

I'm 19. I'm living with my parents. I don't go to college. I make about $180 a week from my job. I desperately want to move out within the next few months. When I do move, I'll probably want to go to another state. I don't have my license until June 15th or so (it was suspended). Even when that happens, I don't have a car I could legally take to move with me as the one I use is in my dad's name. Basically, I'm wondering what I need to do and actually take action on. I'm also asking for any knowledge I should have going through this. Any tips. That sort of thing.

I know I'll need money. I've barely started saving but it's happening.. slowly. I can wait on getting a car if it's someplace I don't necessarily need one. I could use other modes like taking the bus or biking. Or walking, if I'm in a city.

Something big that I have no idea about is health care and insurance and all that. Any information for someone who knows nothing would be great.

Sorry this is so scattered and disorganized. I'm just trying to figure out exactly what I need and what I need to do to move out. I'm tired of my living circumstances and I need to be around non-stressful people who can understand me, and I can understand them. I can't do that here, so I'm trying to change what I can. This is mainly aimed at people who have moved away from their parents, without the help of their parents. But any help at all is appreciated. Thank you.

Answer
Well, first let me congratulate you on your employment. It's not much, but it shows initiative.

First thing I would advise you to do (besides saving every penny you can) would be to get a job in the area in which you want to live! Do you currently work for a company where you could transfer to another one of their facilities? You may have to actually formally apply, and then show up for an interview, but with the economy the way it is, going into an unknown situation while unemployed is (or should be) a scary idea!

Do you have relatives or friends who currently live in an area where you'd want to relocate to? Having a safety net is a really good thing!

I wouldn't count on getting a place with an incredible walk score. Cost of living in cities with great public transportation are expensive. And on your budget, you'll probably have to look for something cheaper a little further out. And that is going to require a car. I'd also like to hedge a guess and say, no more underage drinking, k? :-) If you want to move out and live on your own, a valid license is mandatory. And lets think a head a little bit. What you do to your record AND credit rating now is going to be oh sooooo much more important to you ten years from now. So HUGE piece of advise here. Dont screw up your credit rating!

Now lets talk housing. You'll need a good credit rating for this. Landlords check all 3 credit bureaus now days. You'll also need proof of employment with a wage sufficient to satisfy the landlords requirement. Although they are talking about Boston, this theory holds true anywhere these days. http://charlesgaterealty.com/2013/renting-advice/how-much-can-i-afford-in-rent-each-month/ Don't forget, just to get into a place you'll need first months rent, last months rent, a security deposit, and some landlords also request key deposits, garage door opener deposits, pet deposits, etc. Then there are the utilities. Between electric, heat, water, sewer, garbage, internet, phone, and whatever else it can easily be equal to rent. Some landlords may include things like elec, water, sewer, garbage and you may get lucky and find one with heat included too. But you're still going to have to cover phone, cable and internet. Basically, what I'm saying is; in the DC/MD/VA area you're not going to find much for $720 month.

Health care. That comes with a real job. Not usually when your working at McDonalds (although I could be wrong - never worked there!)

Now. With ALL THAT SAID! What I'd like to see you do is take that $180 week and march your butt down to your nearest community college and sign yourself up. If you cannot do that, then turn around and head over to your nearest Recruiters office and cross your fingers they'll take ya!

Good Luck in your future endeavors.

when do the 2013 dirt bikes come out?

Linda

im looking to get a new 250 dirt bike and i want to know when the 2013s come out. I am looking at honda, kawasaki, suzuki, ktm, yamaha...all the major brands.

Answer
All the bikes come out the same time, around the end of 2012. All the bikes are very similar, you're going to have to ride each of the bikes to find your preference.

KTM is way too much money, currency between Austria and the US isn't good. Yamaha is too advanced, their 2013 models are going to look like a futuristic robot, and it might even have electric start, which adds around 20 lbs.

Kawasaki is great as the 2012 model almost dominates the other bikes. I prefer the Suzuki, but it's all rider preference. Suzuki isn't over designed, it's the best bike in my opinion. Next years bikes could go from $8,000, but the KTMs... (Keep Throwing Money). Could go up to $10,000.

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what is the Future for motorcycles that haven't changed in style for years and same style motors?

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stardancer

China makes a 3 wheel car that seats 4 and is a 4 door.India makes ans Selle's 3 wheel cars
that gets over 50 miles Gal.

Answer
Given that the internal combustion engine is so inefficient, even the most efficient lose more energy in radiation (heat) than they transfer to the back wheel, I think the next major step will be in electric motors with the advent of light(er)weight batteries. Of course these are not necessarily more environmentally friendly â creating the electricity creates greenhouse gases, even manufacturing the batteries is a dirty industry â but they have instant huge torque, have few moving parts, are reliable and simple, and can use forward movement and braking to claw back some charge. Would increasing the number of wheels or seats improve motorcycles? In many cases the compromise will enlarge the bike so much that it loses many of its advantages especially in towns.

where can I find an e-bike conversion kit in india?

Alternate

I'm not looking for an electric bike, rather a rear-wheel conversion kit for a reasonably priced rear wheel conversion kit for a mountain bike which is available or ships to India.

Answer
Pardon my unfamiliarity with the Indian market BUT, in North America at least:

BIONIX is one of - if not THE - best of its kind. Rear wheel conversion kit thats compatible for almost all adult bicycles. Most advanced technology even if compared on a global scale. Electrical assist and Full electrical power modes.
Excellent reputation, representation and service in all areas.

The kits start at approx. 1199CAD

Yes, i work for a BionX dealer... :)

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How to find out what's wrong with my dirt bike or who to talk too to find out?

best electric start dirt bike image

Tae

I have a 110cc Coolster Electric Start Dirt Bike it's brand new and never been started. There's nothing wrong with it besides it won't start. What it's the problem and how can I fix it?

Answer
I assume this is the bike you're talking about? http://www.coolster.com/QG-213A-B/QG-213A-B.html

IS the battery fully charged, and does it turn over like it wants to start? IF so, then check for any kill switches that may have been hit before it was put in the box. In most cases, the kill switch will be on the handlebars. IF it still doesn't run, check for a spark and then the most obvious, is there enough fuel in the tank? It also states that it's an automatic, well most scooters are automatic aswell, and in order to start those you need to hold in the rear or front brake.

what makes a dirt bike make a dinging noise when you try to start it, electric start?

Abby

it is a Yamaha dirt bike, 2006 ttr 125. when you push the electric start and turn the throttle it makes a ding noise like a rock is in it.

Answer
that you know the rules, think carefully and have at it! ... Do yourself a favor and run the bike again, this time making the ... All 12-volt electric start Yamaha's have them. .... move next to or near an airport and complain about the noise.

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Whats a good solution to charge a small lawn mower battery on a bike?

best bike battery charger image

Z

Ok my bicycle has dual 55 watt fog lights on there i use at night (there VERY bright), and i was wondering what i could use that is self contained on the bike to keep the battery charged up?

Also i have a battery charger but i dont wanna be dependent on it for my bike lights.

Answer
for 29 dollars at Northern tool you can buy a solar battery charger that puts out 1.8 amps during the daytime. If you can park your bike in the sun or just the battery and charger...I have used this system successfully on 12volt boat batteries for years...but it is just a trickle charger

Just bought my first motorcycle, what maintenance is needed for the battery?

Joshua

bike-2009 Suzuki GS500F
Do I need to buy a battery charger for it?

Answer
You can buy a battery tender that will include connections that you screw on with your (+) and (-) connectors. Then the other end will have a plug on that. Install that (it is easy) and then tuck it where it wont get in the way of anything (zip ties work great). Then you can plug the battery tender in every time you park your bike. It will make you battery last longer if you get into the habit of placing the tender on it. I have two bikes and an atv... all three are on tenders everytime I put them away. Two of them are 2004's and one is a 2005 all with factory batteries.

If you do take the battery out of the bike as some have suggested. Do put it on a tender and place it on a piece of wood or something. Do NOT place it on the concrete. It is very hard on the battery.

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I'm looking for a CVT or IVT transmission for a diy electric bicycle?

best electric bike hub image

Joel

I'm planning out a DIY electric bike, and I want to use a direct drive system. I'm thinking about using a couple angle grinder gear boxes instead of chains and gears, but I need a CVT or IVT transmission. That's Continuous Variable Transmission or Infinite Variable Transmission.
It would be great if there is a power tool or some other low-cost component I could dismantle to easily get one of these transmissions. Go Karts use them, and they are cheaper than I would spend at a bike shop, but they're built really beefy for the kind of strain a Go Kart motor would put on it. Does anyone have a suggestion?

Answer
i have built my own elec bicycle .. i used a " hub motor bicycle kit . total cost of $230 for the kit including charger . throttle , and controller box Then you have to buy the batteries separate or you can buy " chain driven elec bicycle kits " you dont need transmissions using DC elec motors because they ae Variable speed motors . the " throttle " controls the speed. The higher the voltage of system the faster it will go. mine is 36 volt. 500 watt. with 6 - 12 volt 12 amp hour batts to make 2 -36 volt battery banks. next time i will try a 48 volt 1000 kit.

also google " electric bicycle youtube " and " elec bike forums " to learn more. Hub motors are much more efficient and quiter too. .

Looking for a forum dealing with home built electric motors?

Octal040

Does anyone know of an active place to discuss and learn more about electric motor design? Specificaly, pancake or hub motors commonly used on electric bikes and newer hybrid cars.

Answer
Start by googling Beakman motors

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what engines are capable to run 100% on hho, h2, hydrogen gas for vehicles?

best electric bikes 2012 image

David Schw

Is there ideal engines for the conversion? I want to construct a van that holds enough hydrogen to operate 200 miles power day ++ and cover it with solar panels & a bracket to hold a1,500 watt windmill. Ideally,I would use an AC outlet to produce the hydrogen but with added options to make its own too. This is the ultimate bug out vehicle. I will probably wonder off into the wilderness forever once its complete.

Answer
Sounds like an interesting project. There are some car companies that make hydrogen internal combustion engines/cars but they are hugely expensive and conversions from gas to hydrogen has some problems. A propane engine design might be suitable for adaptation to hydrogen. The fuel/air mixture is much different for hydrogen requiring special carbs and engine timing changes and hydrogen embrittlement of engine parts or exhaust can lower engine life and other parts.
Storing hydrogen is another issue as it requires a large volume of gas under very high pressures to have a suitable range you're looking for.....special tanks, lines, valves, refueling, etc..

There are some new methods coming out to make on-demand low pressure hydrogen gas using chemical processes like sodium silicides or cobalt catalysts which could alleviate some of the problems with onboard storage/use. You can also make hydrogen from urine which has twice the hydrogen molecules as water and splits apart in electrolysis at lower voltages..

Related links on chemical hydrogen production....

http://www.onlinetes.com/tes-0311-hydrogen-fuel-cells-sodium-silicide.aspx
http://news.discovery.com/tech/magic-powder-fuels-electric-bike.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TinQ3iV403s&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Cobalt catalysts ...
http://phys.org/news187031401.html#nRlv
http://phys.org/news/2012-08-scientists-h2-fuel-cells-inexpensive.html#ajTabs
http://www.suncatalytix.com/tech.html

Urine to hydrogen...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31805166/ns/technology_and_science-innovation/


Videos on hydrogen engine fundamentals...
http://www.metacafe.com/videos_about/hydrogen_fuel_-_engine_fundamentals_/

Hydrogen IC vehicle history...the first IC powered car actually ran on hydrogen back in 1807....decades before gasoline or diesel engines
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hydrogen_internal_combustion_engine_vehicles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francois_Isaac_de_Rivaz

Chinese Jonway Scooter 50cc backfired and won't start?

Mike

I have a 2012 Jonway 50cc Chinese Scooter and just hit 1300 miles. I was having battery issues and was relying on the kickstarter. I was riding in the rain and was having some issues with the idling and it stalled. I kickstarted and got it up and running again when finally I heard a sound that sounded like fluid and was followed closely by a gunshot-like sound. The electricity gave out, lights, instrumentation, etc. and it would not start back up again and I was luckily close enough to walk the bike home.

I tried jump-starting it today and it did not want to turn over with the kick starter or electric starter. I had no sound whatsoever out of the electric starter where usually I will hear it trying to start. Also the spark plug was apparently loose, but I rettached it although the bronze or gold tip that sits in the ignition wire is missing the clip and it is not sitting tightly although there was definitely contact and it should have started up.

Any help would be appreciated as I rely on this for transportation and am just wondering what the list of parts to get would be.

Thanks!
Also the person that I purchased from had removed the "restrictor plate" which I believe was a restrictor tube that sits in the air intake case because there is no tube inside there. Apparently this can cause backfiring and all sorts of problems because there is a disproportionate amount of air going in to the engine.
I can get a whole new engine for about $200 on this so if that can save on labor I'd just drop a new one in there.
Thank you for the detailed answer, what I mean by not turning over is that the electric starter will not click whatsoever but the kickstarter will move and it sounds the way a lawnmower does that won't start when you can pull the cord but it won't start...

Answer
You should at least hear a click or something from the starter. What is your definition of turn over? Do you mean that the engine spins but does not fire. Or do you mean that the engine is completely locked? You can not move the kick starter and all the electric start does is click.

If the engine spins but does not start it could be any number of things. You say the gold cap is missing from the spark plug. What happens if you remove the spark plug, put it back on the wire, lay it on a metal piece of the engine, and spin the engine over? There should be a strong bluish white spark between the electrodes. No spark and the engine will not run. You may just simply need a new spark plug.

You should never ever jump start a scooter or motorcycle. Bad things can happen. It is very easy to fry the ignition system when you jump start. If the ignition box is fried the spark plug gets no spark. No spark and there is no way the engine will start.

If the engine is locked, you have some serious internal mechanical issues. You may want to look into that new engine.

You mention the disproportionate amount of air entering the engine. This is technically called running the engine lean. This is bad. Then the person removed this restrictor tube, he should have installed a larger main fuel jet in the carburetor. When the engine runs lean it can literally burn a hole in the piston. Molten metal can seize the piston rings to the cylinder wall. If this is what happened, look into that new engine.

The backfire could also cause the camshaft to jump time. However, there are usually other mechanical issues that go along with this.

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Where's the cheapest place to buy an electric bike in the UK?

best electric bikes uk image

azmatick

Or can i get an electric bike kit add on for my bike?

Answer
Try these two groups, they have some significant UK content:

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/electricbikes/

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/index.php

Who is the best name brand electric bike supplier that can ship anywhere in the world?

I have a chain of 20 bike shops and I'm looking for a very good, reliable electric bike supplier.

Answer
You can also try http://www.wholesaledeals.co.uk if you are looking for wholesale deals to resell on eBay UK and Amazon UK. They basically research for you which current wholesale offers are selling successfully and at good margins on eBay and Amazon, and you can join their service to find out where you can buy those deals today.

Since you are looking for electric bike,

try this page: http://www.wholesaledeals.co.uk/search-suppliers/electric_bike-suppliers.html

Hope this helps.

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what's the best and least expensive kit for electric bike conversion?

best electric bike kits reviews image

twizard

with a solar charge preferred ( can be seperate)

Answer
Here is a unique idea for a solar powered bike using photovoltaics in the wheels: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/05/solar_powered_e_1.php
and the typical: http://www.cisolar.com/catSolarebike.html

With respect to converting your bike to electric, you have 3 ways to go:

A hub motor kit
a sneaky crank motor kit
or a friction motor kit

There are also many home made conversions that use the chain drives:


To compare them you will need to read the reviews and make up your own mind:
http://www.nycewheels.com/electric-bike-conversionkit-reveiw.html
http://www.electricbikee.com/electricbikes/electric-bike-conversion-kits/
http://www.metaefficient.com/electric-bikes/inexpensive-electric-bike-conversion-kit.html

WANTING TO BUILD A GO-KART?

Deer Slaye

i have a few questions about building a go kart....

Where do i get a cheap but good frame for a go kart?

Where can i get a go kart engine?

Do i get a steering kit for it? if so where do i get it from?

Answer
Most of the information you need should be here. I have both information for you to build from scratch and also to make one with a kit. If you find all the information is not with with either one I suggest you contact the company you purchased the instructions or kit from.


How to Build a Go Kart: 10 steps (with pictures) - wikiHow
It is likely that it would be cheaper to buy a manufactured go cart than it would to buy certain pre-engineered parts to build it. Some people still recommend buying a set ...
http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Go-Kart - Cached

More results from wikihow.com »
How to Build a Go Kart | eHow.com
Kids of all ages like go karts because the karts basically let kids drive in little vehicles without a license. Go karts can be expensive to buy, if you can even find ...
http://www.ehow.com/how_2386611_build-kart.html - Cached

how to build a go cart - Go Carts Guide |
Use these go cart parts and tips to build your own homemade go cart. Build a go cart from scratch.
http://www.gocartsguide.com/go-cart -

Go Cart Kits, Custom Go Karts, and Go Kart Plans
1) Purchase one of the various go cart kits that are available. Some companies, produce complete or partial go cart kits that can be purchased.
http://www.rc-trucks.org/go-cart-kits.htm - Cached

Product: Stingray Complete Go-Kart Chassis Kit â Model ...
Categories; Go-Karts, Electric Bikes + Scooters; Go-Karts + ATVs ... Stingray Complete Go-Kart Chassis Kit â Model# Stingray Go-Kart Kit
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200356855_200356855 - Cached

Go Cart Kits | Go Cart Plans | Go Cart Parts
Go Cart Kits. Want to get your hands dirty? Want a custom go kart? Want a fun project ... the best place to start would be to buy a ready to assemble go kart kit. Complete go kart ...
http://www.gocartkits.org - Cached

Complete Go Kart Kits - Compare Prices, Reviews and Buy at ...
Complete Go Kart Kits - 11 results like Play and Go Kit with Storage - 62 Pieces, Go Kart Atv Go Cart Steering Kit Complete Package, Ez Go Txt Golf Cart Complete ...
http://www.nextag.com/complete-go-kart-kits/shop-html

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Can the pedaling energy charge the battery of an electric bike?

best electric bike hub motor image

Drowzzy

Can the mechanical energy of pedaling be stored as electrical energy to be utilized later to run the bicycle automatically? I'm not talking about pure electric bikes that need regular charging, and not even about those that you pedal for a while as the bike stands still and then run it on electric power. I mean can you ride a bike and store the mechanical energy simultaneously? Will it be efficient? If so, then are such e-bikes available in the market, and what are they called so that I may Google for them?

Here's the scenario: I need a bicycle for regular commute, may be even for covering long distances. It's not feasible for a layman to pedal continuously for more than 5 to 10 miles. So I'm looking for a bike that you pedal for sometime, and when you're exhausted, you simply flick a button to make it run on electrical power which has been converted and stored from the mechanical energy of pedaling the bike; and then pedal again and auto-ride again and so forth. Will something like that be technically efficient, since you're moving the bike while pedaling as well as storing your spare energy?

Hope I haven't confused you. Thanks :)

Answer
There is already such a motor on the market. The name escapes me right now but it is a hub built into the rear wheel and it costs about $2000... not the Erbike hub motor... I think it is Electricrider or something like that.

To your request, yes, it is possible and a project I am working on right now. No, I can't and won't divulge details but CAN tell you that you'll see it relatively soon and it WILL be expensive- more expensive than a small motorcycle at this point.

By the way... I typically commute 24 miles (one way) to work on a bicycle, no problem. 5-10 mile commute is simple for most committed riders.

I'm looking for a CVT or IVT transmission for a diy electric bicycle?

Joel

I'm planning out a DIY electric bike, and I want to use a direct drive system. I'm thinking about using a couple angle grinder gear boxes instead of chains and gears, but I need a CVT or IVT transmission. That's Continuous Variable Transmission or Infinite Variable Transmission.
It would be great if there is a power tool or some other low-cost component I could dismantle to easily get one of these transmissions. Go Karts use them, and they are cheaper than I would spend at a bike shop, but they're built really beefy for the kind of strain a Go Kart motor would put on it. Does anyone have a suggestion?

Answer
i have built my own elec bicycle .. i used a " hub motor bicycle kit . total cost of $230 for the kit including charger . throttle , and controller box Then you have to buy the batteries separate or you can buy " chain driven elec bicycle kits " you dont need transmissions using DC elec motors because they ae Variable speed motors . the " throttle " controls the speed. The higher the voltage of system the faster it will go. mine is 36 volt. 500 watt. with 6 - 12 volt 12 amp hour batts to make 2 -36 volt battery banks. next time i will try a 48 volt 1000 kit.

also google " electric bicycle youtube " and " elec bike forums " to learn more. Hub motors are much more efficient and quiter too. .

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