Can we build 750 watt road legal bicycles?

[Kudoscycles]

Hopefully this thread won't be moved because the idea is to produce a road legal powerful electric bicycle.
My feeling is that the powerful bicycles are bought because owners want speed and power but still want the product to look like a bicycle not like a scooter or moped.
Am interested in building 750 watt BPM motored bicycles that are registered under the light moped classification....the upside is these would be legally very fast,the downside is that they would be classified as mopeds requiring registration,tax,insurance,helmet.
I remember that a Pedelec member did successfully put a Pedelec bicycle through the light moped classification,it was a difficult task because it wasn't designed to meet moped specs but if it was designed around the regs from the egg it may be easier.
That is why I am so interested in what is required to put an e-bike through the light moped registration process.
KudosDave

Sorry to move this Dave - non EAPC!

 

[craiggor]

I have seen 2 on here they should not of passed because of the tyres.e marked or dot speed rated are needed.

Sent from my D101 using Tapatalk

 

[flecc]

Yes, the tyres have to be motor vehicle spec, the headlight and tail light need to conform to the strict requirements, size, beam etc., the bike has to have a stoplight operating from either brake and have rear number plate illumination.

Currently there's also some brake test requirements which some bike brakes might not pass.

At present it's not worth it in my opinion, but once the new L1e-A class requirements are finalised it way well be. That's because there's currently some easing intended in the brake test reqirements and some other things, just so long as the bike doesn't exceed 35 kilos. Of course we'll have to see if there are changes in the final draft.
.

 

[craiggor]

Yes, the tyres have to be motor vehicle spec, the headlight and tail light need to conform to the strict requirements, size, beam etc., the bike has to have a stoplight operating from either brake and have rear number plate illumination.

Currently there's also some brake test requirements which some bike brakes might not pass.

At present it's not worth it in my opinion, but once the new L1e-A class requirements are finalised it way well be. That's because there's currently some easing intended in the brake test reqirements and some other things, just so long as the bike doesn't exceed 35 kilos. Of course we'll have to see if there are changes in the final draft.
.

Do you think they will lift the speed limit on L1e-a and down grade to cycle helmet and cycle path use ?

 

[craiggor]

I think its around £80 for the MSVA.Once you get your MAC certificate can you make further replicas with no test and for how long ?

Sent from my D101 using Tapatalk

 

[flecc]

Do you think they will lift the speed limit on L1e-a and down grade to cycle helmet and cycle path use ?

Not on an EU wide basis, these are national matters. For example The Netherlands a little while ago started to permit mopeds and S class bikes on their cyclepaths. That caused a huge wave of complaints and I think there's been some backtracking on it.

What we can say for certain given our strict attitudes is that the UK would never allow L1e-A on cyclepaths, and if they ever permit the S class, they would be banned from cyclepaths too.
.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The tester can use a bit of discretion when testing the bike. In the case of Warrah's bike, he let some things go because, sensibly, they shouldn't be applied to what is basically a bicycle.On the other hand, you could get a jobsworth tester.

There's still a problem that you have to overcome. Once you have a number plate on it, you shouldn't use cycle paths, cycle lanes, ride in the parks or on the pavement, etc. That doesn't leave many benefits of having one unless you're an eco-warrior or worried about your fitness.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Can't be used on cycle paths in France or Spain and also can't be used on dual carriageways. So there you are in your motorbike helmet pedalling along on the open road... That is never going to be much fun, especially in the summer

At least you won't be booked for using an exhaust kit pushing out 120db of lovely two stroke noise! Just for going over 45 km/h and not wearing a motorbike helmet because you will leave that in the cupboard and use a cycling helmet on your second ride!

As 49 cc mopeds move to four stroke, to meet emission standards, at least they are no longer capable of going over 45 km/h other than down very steep hills with a tailwind so you should be able to pedal past most of those.

 

[trex]

...
Am interested in building 750 watt BPM motored bicycles that are registered under the light moped classification....the upside is these would be legally very fast,the downside is that they would be classified as mopeds requiring registration,tax,insurance,helmet.

something like this?

IIRC, this $900 motorbike has already got type approval in Malta.

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/1500W-Lithium-Battery-Sports-Folding-Electric_60328261311.html

 

[Mutt]

Pity, I come from an age when there was less bureaucracy and think these restriction are stifling something that has so much potential. Oh well, I'll use my electric bicycle on the flat and may have to get myself a Yamaha Virago to go up the steep hills.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[the_killjoy]

Yes back in the day you could bolt anything on to anything and be off down the road with a dodgy 10 bob insurance policy you knew would never pay out but would make you legal (plus the tax in the post sticker)

 

[Mutt]

Many baby boomers have become ZZ Top look a likes riding Harley Davidsons, including men. As a cyclist (and biker) I've never let any hill beat me but without the gift of eternal youth my ageing knees are no longer up to it. My 250W powered cycle can't really help much on some of the steep hills in Devon and as I'm not ready for a mobility scooter yet, a speed restricted 1000W powered bike would give a bit of torque up the Torquay hills and keep me cycling. Wishful thinking.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[(NoLongerRegistered#15675)]

I think solution could be going more powerful and trying to get through dirt bike day time running reg/ certification.
You still need CoC but would be far easier with respect to lights..
There is still the facility to get trials and enduro bikes legal for events where they do short trips on roads between sections...
I,ve never done it but swa a trials bike at Beverley SVA station been tested last year..??? Not a light/Indicator or mirror in site ..didnt ask at time about nature of test but had a look at bike whilst waiting.
Worth looking into.

 

[(NoLongerRegistered#15675)]

Many baby boomers have become ZZ Top look a likes riding Harley Davidsons, including men. As a cyclist (and biker) I've never let any hill beat me but without the gift of eternal youth my ageing knees are no longer up to it. My 250W powered cycle can't really help much on some of the steep hills in Devon and as I'm not ready for a mobility scooter yet, a speed restricted 1000W powered bike would give a bit of torque up the Torquay hills and keep me cycling. Wishful thinking.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not starting an argument...but seriously try a crank drive Bosch/ Yam/Impulse..(. In mtb, not found a hill yet in Peak district bike wont go up)

 

[craiggor]

I think solution could be going more powerful and trying to get through dirt bike day time running reg/ certification.
You still need CoC but would be far easier with respect to lights..
There is still the facility to get trials and enduro bikes legal for events where they do short trips on roads between sections...
I,ve never done it but swa a trials bike at Beverley SVA station been tested last year..??? Not a light/Indicator or mirror in site ..didnt ask at time about nature of test but had a look at bike whilst waiting.
Worth looking into.

Can't see any info on daytime MSVA in the manual.Bet he had a big fail list.You can get a day time mot after the MSVA and run with no lights.

 

[(NoLongerRegistered#15675)]

Suppose if bike I saw was a model with general acceptance it was merely transferring to day time running...Its probably got to pass full test some time in its history..didnt ask test it was having ..

 

[the_killjoy]

Surel.y the easiest way is to take a light weight moped ~ something like the old Honda P50 with engine in the rear wheel and just swap it for an electric motor.

 

[Mutt]

That's an interesting idea, I suppose you'd still need to get it passed. I've got monkey motorbike which I use for going up town and the 250W electric bike for going down town. It helps if I get in the slip stream of my wife's 72 amp mobility scooter. To be honest, the 250W bike does help up hills but not as much as I'd like. The mid crank motor is interesting as a future project.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[craiggor]

If you put a bigger engine in the motorbike or car all you need to do is inform the Dvla.they will just put it in a higher tax band.If you put in smaller you need to provide proof.recipt will do.Because you will be put in the free road tax bracket. I don't know if this is the rule for moped to electric.

Sent from my D101 using Tapatalk

 

[flecc]

Surel.y the easiest way is to take a light weight moped ~ something like the old Honda P50 with engine in the rear wheel and just swap it for an electric motor.

Still has to be submitted for SVA though, since it has to go into a new registration class.
.