1976 Yamaha DT125C Gas to EV Conversion for Under $2000, Electric Motorcycle Conversion Build
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- I converted this 1976 Yamaha DT125C from non-running gas, to fully electric for under $2000.
I overview the components and design decisions of this build, and detail what aspects took the most time and had the highest cost.
Range: 50-60 miles
Top Speed: 55 mph
Charge Time: 4 hours (15 miles per hour plugged in)
Weight: 20 lbs lighter than stock gas bike, lower CG
Acceleration: Similar to stock gas bike
Motor - 72V3000W 17" QS
Controller - Fardriver ND72360
Charger - 1000W
I was thinking also that a good ole bike was ruined but then I read your response to a similar comment and indeed I like it! What a good way to put a cool old bike back on the road! And the fact that you didn’t cut it up and make it impossible to revert is 100-% bonus! Considering how much a real, dirt worthy elec motocross bike costs this is indeed pretty cool. And your work looks neat as well. Thanks for sharing
@martygriffith2135 I respect the open-mindedness, a true rarity these days!
I've been considering doing this with one of mine and your thorough video has helped me realise i don't have the time, energy and knowledge to do a good job hahaha. Really appreciate the video, you've done an amazing job!
very neat build. You have not tried to mask any part of it which I like the most . I bought a 2002 Hayabusa without engine. starting work on that this week. Your work is an inspiration
I got a lot of hate from people for not trying to hide it more and make the battery look more like the engine casing. I agree with you - why spend time and effort trying to mask it to make it look like something it isn't?
Nice build, neatly done. Thanks for sharing!
Very cool, I'd love to own one. Nicely done.
Excellent video and I love the bike
Fantastic build
Lovely, hopefully you installed one of those slip-on battery cable terminal covers.
Yes.
I see three comsiderations that you probably are already aware of. First, The torque arms you made. Are they strong/long enough? Is the retaining bolt and slotted swing arm strong enough? This could be easily tested with a quick fabbed mockup and a torque wrench, in a vice. Second potential problem is the possability of condensation inside the battery box which might create havoc with the BMS. And third, that positive powerr cable should have a cover on it.That said,, you've created a most awesome ride.
You evidently did a lot of research on this project which gave you a great clean & compact conversion! I have the exact same hub motor which I plan on using to convert my 1972 Honda CT90. Would you possible share the info for the rear brake you used for you conversion?
@rptrower I got the rear brake from QS motor with my motor order. If you contact them, they may be able to ship you just the rear disc and caliper that will fit your motor separately.
@@zuccamachine Thanks, I will contact them.
Sweet build!
Love it!! Looking to do a 1974 ty250 trials bike in the next year or so.
Do it! I'd recommend a mid-drive motor and not a hub motor for a trials bike. You can keep the charger off-board to free up more battery space.
I have a cb125 I’m wanting to do something like this with
Hey I'd love to hear more about the battery! I'm about to do something similar on a dt250
@andrewgrimm7715 Most people will order a battery from Amorge that fits their size restrictions. Go with a battery that is just as wide as the engine was between the case covers, and fit in the biggest square you can. Just be sure that if the bike falls over, the battery won't hit the ground in any way and is protected.
Quite an exercise in blasphemy! Wonder if the factory electric start was retained!
did it work?
Why did you not show a clip of you riding in ?
@@Slievenamon Because I need more subscribers first!
I'm liking the conversion! Though a few thoughts if I may. Why a 3KW vs a 5KW? Was it cost or was range more the priority over speed? I like the addition of the charger, you see that on several factory built cycles but not so many conversions. Have you thought about moving it into the what was once the fuel tank? That way it would be protected from the elements and it opens the possibility of using the gas cap area as the location for the power cable. Anyway this is a fantastic project, and you've done a great job!
@ebikeengineer The goal was to keep it under $2K. A 5kW motor was certainly possible, but the next size up motor, controller, and BMS would have bumped the build cost up by ~$500. Performance would have certainly been better. The nice part is all these next size up components can drop right in with no mounting modifications if that's ever desired.
The cross section of the fuel tank is a horseshoe shape, so unfortunately the charger won't fit. Not much would fit in there honestly. Maybe the DCDC converter and some wiring. But there's already ample space for it underneath.
I should have watched longer - as you later answered my question on the 3 vs 5 KW motor. ;-)
@@zuccamachine You make great use of the existing space, I was just thinking weatherproofing. Yeah a U shaped tank would mean you'd have to disassemble the charger to get it to fit. But you got me thinking how I could install my charger on my Goat instead of carrying in my pack.
Great Project! Have you thought about cutting the cutting the old gas tank open and use it to hide the charger?
@@lorenzG9 The gas tank section is shaped like a U and wraps around a frame member. The charger wouldn't fit.
How did you mount the motor in the rear wheel or did it come preassembled?
@@stevec5000 It is a hub motor. The motor is built into the rear rim/wheel.
Hi,
I relly admire the work!!
Im wondering how did you do the regen braking, does the motor come with it presetup?
The controller supports regen braking. It is on/off only and not variable. You can either use a momentary button to control the regen, or use an option in the controller app that full regen applies when the throttle is released. This is similar to single pedal EV driving.
Nice build I got one similar but I used the fuel tank to store controller and transformer. What kind of controller is that?… my 72v 3kw hub peaks at 45mph and cruises at 40 mph only pulling 30 amps it has more juice but I think the bms is restricting it. I know the mtr controller isn’t
@@timmychase2097 Controller is listed in the video description - ND72360
Can we get a video of you riding it?!
I need more subscribers before releasing my top content.
Speaking of which, are you subscribed? Please do! 😊
Chain drives unless completely neglected, rusty and un-lubricated are ~95+% efficient. Not sure where you got the 20-30% loss from.
I agree, you're correct! Not sure where I (mis)remembered hearing that.
I still like the reduced complexity that a hub motor offers vs. a chain drive and would build this bike the same way if I were to do it again.
@zuccamachine NP, I misremember things occasionally. I agree that direct drive is a better option, as long as the rpm of the wheel/motor is what it needs to be. One less mechanical bit to fail or need maintenance.
🙂
😎
... and a 12v winshield wiper fluid spray motor, feeds into a cleaned out redKoted gas tank, which now hold's my Dr Pepper... so at a push of the old starter button, I get a shot of Dr Pepper up this windshield wiper tube, that terminates near my mouth in my helmet , whenever I get thirsty. For range, I get 100 miles on the battery, but I can go 1,000 miles before I need to top up on Dr Pepper.
Someone gave me a nice condition Susuki GZ250 with a monkey tore up motor to do this same kind of mod too, but I eventually sold it as I thought I'd need more battery area. I guess not!
Iv got 0 interest in electric
Why did you ruin this machine and blowing 2grand in the process?
@tarstarkusz When I got the bike it was missing more ICE parts than it had. It would have cost more to get it running on gas than this EV swap would have. Now it's on the road, and so are several other people's bikes who bought the remaining ICE parts from me.
You call it ruining, I call it thinking outside the box and trying something new. At the end of the day, this is getting miles on the road and putting a smile on the riders face now.
What a great way to destroy a great vintage motorcycle.
@henrybobswillikers I'll copy paste my reply to a similar narrow-minded comment:
When I bought it, it was missing more engine parts than it had. Clearly was neglected. I got it back on the road.
Not to mention I sold the rest of the ICE parts to other DT owners so they could get theirs on the road also.
Also, these DTs were mass produced, hardly classic in my opinion.
It's also a reversible build and you can put all of the gas parts back in if you want.
Can't ride in the rain
The battery is fully sealed up, I've ridden it several times in the rain with no issues.
Haters gonna hate
You ruined a great classic motorcycle !!!!!!!!!
When I bought it, it was missing more engine parts than it had. Clearly was neglected. I got it back on the road.
Not to mention I sold the rest of the ICE parts to other DT owners so they could get theirs on the road also.
Also, these DTs were mass produced, hardly classic in my opinion.
It's also a reversible build and you can put all of the gas parts back in if you want.
It's not your damn bike dude. Buy your own and live in the past. 😂 Great work!
Having spent thousands of hours trying to save a classic bike and it constantly going wrong, this guy has saved a bike and given it another 40 years of life!