Did you know the truly first HD electric motorcyle?

ONE-OFF The appearance of the figure of an electric motorcycle made by Harley-Davidson, an American motorcycle manufacturer named Harley-Davidson Livewire, turned out to bring up facts that may not have been widely known by the public before. The fact states that the development of electric-powered motorcycle technology has actually been carried out for a long time by those Milwaukee, Wisconsin based motorcycle maker.

The truly first electric motorcycle prototype of Harley Davidson named Transitron, built by Steve Fehr teaming up with Brooks Steven back in 1978. (Picture from: CycleWorld)

So it can be said that the development of electric motorcycles which later gave rise to the figure of Livewire is not something new for the American motorcycle maker. The fact is that the existence of electric motorcycles developed by Harley-Davidson had been known around since 1978.  At the time, the American motorcycle maker has managed to develop and build an electric motorcycle prototype called Harley-Davidson Transitron.

Steve Fehr’s original drawing about the first Harley-Davidson electric-powered motorcycle named Transitron of 1978. (Picture from: CycleWorld)

As quoted of CycleWorld, the Harley-Davidson first electric-powered motorbike is built by Steve Fehr of Transitron Electronic Corporation, a Honolulu, Hawaii based company back in 1978. In order to convince the firm of the idea, he started to build one himself. Reportedly, in the development process also involved the famous designer Brooks Steven (known also the designer of Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide).

The instrument panel was mounted to the handlebars, featuring an electric speedometer, a tachometer, and dual ammeters for measuring amps. (Picture from: CycleWorld)

The vintage electric motorbie is built based on 1971 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster, by replacing its original V-Twin OHV 900cc engine to 24V 95A Baldor electric motor while its power taken of 4 batteries, then linked via a primary drive belt mated with a four-speed automatic chain final drive transmission.

Variable-speed electric motor, four-speed automatic transmission, Harley-Davidson Sportster chassis with a 59-inch wheelbase, 33mm XLH fork, Sportster “boattail” seat, and Harley-Davidson drum brakes. (Picture from: CycleWorld)

This vintage electric motorbike is capable of driving up to a maximum speed of about 50 mph (80.47 kph), with an acceleration from zero to 30 mph (48.28 kph) in 6 seconds, and (in theory) could be riden about six hours on a single charged of its four deep-cycle lead-acid batteries. For its own weight carrying about 285 kg or more weight about 75 kg compared to today's Harley-Davidson Livewire.

A series of four deep-cycle lead-acid batteries were said to provide this Harley-Davidson Transitron capable ridden up to six hours. (Picture from: CycleWorld)

As quoted of CycleWorld, that the process of developing this vintage electric motorcycle at the time cost around $70,000, (appox Rp. 989 million). After completion, the antique electric motorbike found in Brooks Steven’s transportation museum in Mequon, Wisconsin, where it stayed until his death in 1995. And in 2014 at the RM Sotheby’s auction at Amelia Island, along with the introduction of the Harley-Davidson LiveWire prototype, the Fehr's electric MK2 Sportster was sold at the price of $ 11,000 or around Rp.155 million.💢

As reminder, the Transitron might not be the electric motorcycle for everyone, at least the LiveWire is fulfilling the legacy of Steve Fehr and Brooks Steven’s work so many years ago. (Picture from: Electrec)

As reminder, the Transitron might not be the electric motorcycle for everyone, at least the LiveWire is fulfilling the legacy of Steve Fehr and Brooks Steven’s work so many years ago. 🤔

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA [04082016] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CYCLE WORLD | ELECTREC ]

Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone

Kindly Bookmark and Share it: