Curtiss Unveils News V8-Style Battery Setup

The new Curtiss Zeus V-8 has a unique fan-shaped pattern of battery ‘cylinders’ [Curtiss]
Just in time for the 4th of July, the Alabama-based startup, Curtiss (known as Confederate until 2017) unveiled the latest iteration of its 2020 Zeus electric motorcycle. The latest version of the Zeus features a new battery setup that mimics Glen Curtiss’ 1907 V8-powered bike, with four pairs of cylinder shaped batteries aligned in a flared V-formation (to maximize air-cooling) and a girder-inspired front-end. The batteries reportedly pack 16.9kWh of juice and were developed in collaboration with YASA, which also provides its proprietary P400 R series motor for the 2020 model.

The response on our own social media (@thevintagent on Instagram) to the new Curtiss design has been overwhelmingly positive. [Curtiss]
Other tweaks to the Zeus include a frame comprised of various trick metals, a matching swing-arm, and carbon fiber wheels. The minimalistic ebike has a more production-ready appearance than its predecessor, and Curtiss — which managed to raise over $350K from more than 180 investors — claims the powertrain is good for some 217hp (160kW) and 147 ft-lbs of torque.

A closer look at the batteries: in a private discussion with Curtiss designers Jordan Cornille and JT Nesbitt at the Quail last May, both mentioned the ‘aha’ moment when it was decided they could configure the battery packs in a different manner than any previous vehicle. [Curtiss]
These specs aren’t new, however the latest version of the Zeus does look to be significantly lighter than the prior gen which makes its immense power all the more usable. Pricing has been announced at $75K a pop when the model goes into limited production starting next year.

Poland’s New Moto-Style Electric Micro Car

Tall, narrow, and a leaner, the new Triggo takes up the mantle of the Corbin Swallow of the 1990s. Will a more congested world finally accept this concept? [Triggo]

Triggo, a new Polish startup, has just pulled the cover off its new two-passenger EV. The Łomianki-based company’s aim was to develop a vehicle that offers the maneuverability of a motorcycle while retaining the comforts and safety benefits of a car. The tilting four-wheeler boasts tandem seating, an enclosed cockpit with luxurious like a stereo, seatbelts, and AC, and front-wheels placed a few feet apart for maximum stability. When attempting to squeeze through traffic at low speeds, the front-wheels come closer together, fitting into recessed wheel wells, allowing the Triggo to easily navigate urban congestion, not unlike a bike or scooter. When parked (with the wheels brought in), the Polish microcar only takes up around 1/5th the space of the average car too.

The company is aiming to release additional prototypes within the next year, and says it plans on forgoing the traditional sales model in favor of renting the machines out via a sharable service (like dockless scooters). Unfortunately Triggo has yet to reveal any performance or technical specs, though that will likely change over the coming months.
Final Specs On Erik Buell’s Ebike Revealed
Our Editor in Chief Paul d’Orleans tries the Fuell for size in NYC. [Francois-Xavier Terny]
Erik Buell’s latest two-wheeler firm, FUELL, has finally released official specs on its inaugural offering, the Fluid ebike. The model is powered by a 500W Bofeili, pedal-assisted, mid-drive motor married to a pair of removable 1,008Wh batteries offering a 125-mile range. A Gates carbon belt drive system, Shimano Alfine 8-speed geared hub, adjustable suspension, hydraulic disc brakes,and an IPC color display all come standard on the ebike. The Fluid generates 73.75 ft-lbs of torque and has five different power modes. The two 504Wh cells can receive an 80-percent charge in 2.5-hours, though a complete recharge takes twice that.
The Fuell Fluid is a totally competent, well-designed ebike, with an easily extracted battery pack and excellent range. [Fuell]
The new pedal-assisted ebike is scheduled for a release in September of 2019 and will carry an MSRP of $2,999. While the first FUELL model is an electric bicycle, the startup — which was born out of a partnership between Buell, Vanguard Motorcycles, and Spark Racing
Technology — plans on releasing its first electric motorcycle, dubbed the “Flow”, in two different versions; an 11kW (15hp) variant; and a 35kW (37hp) spec. While FUELL is just one of many new ebike startups, there’s good reason to believe the company will be successful, with the outfit’s crowdfunding campaign achieving 1,100-percent of its funding goal, largely on the strength of Erik Buell’s involvement alone.
General Motors Joins The Ebike Game
An American automaker entering the ebike scene? Only in Europe! [GM]
This week American automotive powerhouse, General Motors showed off its new ebike model. Operating under the brand name of “ARiV”, GM has released its electric two-wheeler in two different specs, known as the “Merge” and the “Weld”. Both models feature alloy frames paired with 16” wheels, and GM’s own proprietary 240kWh battery that reportedly affords a range of around 40-miles and a cool 55.3 ft-lbs of torque. The 250Wh Lithium ion batteries have a 3.5-hour charge time and are removable/swappable.
The non-folding ARiV ebike, the Weld. [GM]
Additional standard features found on the Merge and Weld models include hydraulic disc brakes, LED lightning, mud-guards, multiple power modes, USB port, and smart-phone handlebar mounts. They also come with a dedicated app that offers GPS services, ride history info and statistics, odometer, and a few other minor features. GM has also opted to give the bikes a “walk assist feature” that takes the hassle out of pushing the 48.5lb Merge and 43lb Weld. Aside from added weight, the only major difference between the two models are that the Merge is a folding bike while the Weld is not. GM overall has done a pretty decent job developing these ebikes, especially with how well-integrated most features are into the frames. The auto giant won’t initially offer either ebike in its native market, and is instead initially releasing the two models in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Pricing has been announced at €2,800 ($3,150) for the Weld, and €3,300 ($3,700) for the Merge, and an outfit called, Life Cycle will provide a support network for the first three markets.
First MotoE Round Set For This Weekend
Badass on its way! The first Moto-E series begins. [Energica]
After more than a year of preparation — and a major setback in the form of a catastrophic fire —the very first FIM Enel MotoE World Cup race will take place this during the Sachsenring MotoGP round this weekend. The single-manufacturer series will see an entire grid of pilots fielding Energica Ego Corsa machines — special race modified versions of the electric Italian sport bike. A total of 18 riders from 12 different teams will compete, including current premier class factory April rider, Bradley Smith, two-time MotoGP runner-up, Sete Gibernau, and former Moto3 champs Mike Di Meglio and Nico Terol, just to name a few. Even though every rider is campaigning the same machine (further modifications permitted are extremely limited), lap-times have nonetheless been surprisingly close, suggesting we have some exciting racing in store over the half-dozen scheduled rounds.
The current competitors in the Moto-E series. [Dorna]
The inaugural event will consist of an eight-lap race around the left-hander-heavy German circuit, which is relatively short compared to the 30, 28, and 27-lap MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 races taking place on Sunday. This is due to the Ego Corsas’ limited range, and is the same reason the MotoE class won’t perform a warmup lap prior to the race. Following this weekend’s MotoE race will be a second round at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, and then a third and fourth round at Misano, and a fifth and sixth at Valencia. It’s been a long time coming, but electric superbike racing has finally hit the main stage.
Untitled Motorcycles Takes On The Zero SR/F
Looking like a futuristic, deconstructed jet fighter, the Untitled-SF Zero SR/F custom ebike has an aggressive edge. [Ludovic Robert]
Over the last year or so, there’s been a noticeable increase of custom motorcycles built around electric donor bikes. Some of which we (the Motorcycle Arts Foundation and curator Paul d’Orléans) feature at the Petersen Museum at our ‘Electric Revolution’ exhibit, through Nov. 24th. The most recent e-custom is a one-off version of Zero’s new SR/F, built by Hugo Eccles of Untitled Motorcycles of San Francisco. At the heart of Eccles’ ebike are the machine’s controller, charger, motor, and batteries encased in aerospace-grade aluminum housing wrapped in a trellis-style chassis. A sharp, MX-style tail section protrudes from the main frame, while a hollow, faux fuel-cell gives its rider the leverage needed to properly control the bike in the corners.
The Untitled-SF e-custom bodes well for the future of electric custom motorcycles, with its badass attitude. [Ludovic Robert]
In typical UMC SF fashion, the entire build, dubbed the “XP”, boasts an incredibly finished look to it, with the majority of wires and cables (including the throttle) being routed internally. Winglet-esque pieces jet out from the forks and act as mounting points for the XP’s dual LED (Motobox) headlights. Other custom details like the one-off fork tubes and futuristic front fender further Eccles’ cohesive visual theme and drive home the factory-finished appearance that’s become a hallmark for the industrial designer turned bike builder.
Kawasaki Files Patent For New Hybrid Motorcycle
The first hybrid Kawasaki? Patents drawings are vague, so don’t expect the bike to look like this… [US Patent Office]
Another piece of news broke earlier this week when it was revealed that Kawasaki filed patents concerning a new hybrid motorcycle. The patent images don’t actually show what the bike will look like, and instead focus on the housing and arrangement for the gas/electric powertrain. In this case a single-cylinder engine and transmission share their casing with an AC electric motor located just behind the cylinder bank, while the battery is found above the gas mill. The gas tank is then positioned on the left side of the bike while the coolant tank is found on the right.

 

After our discussion of hybrid motorcycles last week, it’s interesting to see a patent filed on exactly this theme. [US Patent Office]
It’s unclear if the EV bits will provide improved range, aid the gas engine’s performance, or provide some other electronically-powered feature altogether. Like all patents and concepts, this hybrid project’s existence in no way guarantees that the gas/electric model
will ever see production, though we at least know that Team Green is considering the possibility — and throwing time and money at it — behind closed doors.
Pioneering Electric Car Heads To Auction
The 1898 Riker, a significant American electric car, from the original era of EV production, when EVs were on par in sales with IC and steam cars through 1910. [Pacific Grove Auction]
This week it was announced that one of the most historically significant electric vehicles ever built is headed to auction for the first time, ever. The 1898 Riker was built and raced by Andrew L. Riker, who in the late 1880’s founded the Riker Electric Motor Co. in
Brooklyn, New York. Riker’s electric car — which supposedly offered 40mph speeds and an impressive range of 50-miles on a single charge – proved itself on the race track where it bested grids of gas-powered machines in competitions like the Narragansett Races, the 1898 Mechanics Fair at Charles River Park in Boston, and the 1900 Paris Exposition. That same year Riker also secured first place in what was supposedly America’s first 50-mile road race (held on Long Island), and set a national record when it completed a mile run in just 63-seconds.
The 1898 Riker as it looks today – almost like new! An amazingly well-preserved EV that will surely ttract significant buyer attention. [Pacific Grove Auctions]
The 1898 electric racer is said to be in 100% original condition, still wearing its original license plate that bares Riker’s initials. Supposedly this 1898 Riker was the very first car to be registered in the State of New York (and possibly the entire country according to some sources). Riker later went on to serve as the chief engineer at Locomobile and eventually became the very first president of the Society of Automotive Engineers, making this already important piece of EV history all the more significant. In 1929 the specimen was donated to the Henry Ford Museum, before being given back to the Riker family in the mid 1980s. The Riker will cross the auction block for the first time ever at the Pacific Grove Auction on Aug. 15 in Pacific Grove, California, during this year’s upcoming Monterey Car Week.
The grandaddy of them all, but not the first electric car! But perhaps the best preserved early model. [Pacific Grove Auction]
Pioneers Technology The Current