It definately works!!!

The Hydrogen Generator was a great success!!!

The previous owner, Joan Garuti, claimed to get 21mpg driving 50mph with the top up. With the top down she claimed to get 24mpg at best. According to fueleconomy.gov this 1998 4-cylinder manual tranny Jeep Wrangler should be getting 16 city and 18 hwy miles per gallon.

After installing the hydrogen generator with help from my brother Joshua, I was on my way.

During my trip...

Thoughts for the future:

• N/A

Comment Responses:

• N/A

Electric Motorcycle Diaries

Hydrogen Generators & The Loss of my Graphic Designer...

It's been a while. Where have I been? Well, my graphic designer has jumped ship indefinitely. It's been five months now since we broke up and almost two months since she moved out.



Living without her is difficult. I still love her. Andria is an amazing human being. Oh, what a lady... Letting go of her is not as easy as I wish it could be. I've never been in so much pain.

As far as the electric motorcycle is concerned... Currently, I'm still stuck waiting until I have enough cash to purchase the PMG-132 Perm Motor. It's the most expensive part and unfortunately, one of the first things I need to really get building.

I'll be taking a trip soon and driving a Jeep across the country. I know... horrible gas mileage. To help save some cash, give myself a project, and try something new... I decided to try building a supplemental Hydrogen Generator to increase my MPG. These babies are also suppose to decrease your emissions!

I'd been reading about them for a while, but I didn't feel convinced enough to try one until my friend Jay Armstrong sent me a link to this blog... IT WORKS! — TechCity

A local Ashlander built that one and is getting a 25% increase in gas mileage! It's time to try it for myself.

Search for plans on the internet. There are lots for sale, but if you look carefully you will find some free ones. The plans I used are detailed and straight forward, but I think there are some needless extra steps and components. I mostly stuck to the plans. ;)

Once I've installed it I will post my results.

Here's a video of the unit in action...




My housemate Carrie looks impressed...



That's it for now. I hope you're having a great summer! Don't worry, we'll have this motorcycle done by next year. My goal is to have it drivable by July 4th, 2009.

Mind if I cut in?

TIME~ 00:45 (hh:mm)
COST~ $0.00

TOOLS~

• Hacksaw
• File
• Gloves
• Mask

Now that I know the bike is 100% mine, I can start making some room for the motor. I made a cut on each side of this bar that crosses the frame.



It was one of the engine mounts, but the motor won't fit onto the swingarm unless I remove it. There are lots of different tools you can use to cut metal. If I had the cash I would probably use a reciprocating saw with a metal cutting blade. My friend Dustin may be able to loan me one. That would come in handy, especially for the smaller mounts that are hard to get to. It'll save my arms and a lot of time too. It took me 40 minutes to make these cuts! I did take a few breaks. A cooler blade cuts better right?



Wearing some gloves will help protect your hands. A mask may be a good idea since you're going to create a lot of metal dust.

After I finished cutting I used a file to dull any sharp edges still sticking out of the frame. That will save some skin later.

Thoughts for the future:

• I think I'm going to make a fake motor out of wood so that I can start welding on new mounts and get the sprockets figured out. I may decide on a different medium like plastic or cardboard. However, I want this to be an exact and solid piece.
  

Comment Responses:

• Mom, thank you for your input. I have a dream, but you actually have electric motorcycle dreams! I'd rather not have a trailer for regular driving, but I was considering a range extending trailer. I figured I could have one that contains a bunch of charged batteries or a diesel generator. I could convert the generator to run off of vegetable oil. This would be great for long trips. What do you think?
• Mark, thanks for the compliment my friend. When are you going to draw my motorcycle as a comic book hero?
  

He's alive and he owns the bike!

TIME~ 00:20 (hh:mm)
COST~ $1.04

TOOLS~

• Shipping Materials

Wow! I got an e-mail asking me for a pulse. It's been a while... here's the scoop!

I sold the directional lights today. Someone in Washington viewed my craigslist ad and decided to contact me. I gained $12.91 from the transaction, but I also had to pay up on $13.95 of ebay fees. So I'm down $1.04

I've been revamping my garage and spring cleaning. I organized my tools and that will definitely enhance this project.

I received the signed title documents from Joseph Perry. I had to wait a while because he was trying to get some sort of compensation from the business that had illegally gained possession of his bike. They wouldn't budge and the sheriff's department decided against pursuing the issue. So Joe signed it over to me anyway and has even offered to help me weld! I decided to list him as a sponsor since he basically gave me his bike. I just wish I had the chance to buy it from Joe in the first place.

Joe told me that what I described in my sprocket dilemma is called an 'Idler Sprocket'. As a fabricator he's replaced a lot of sprockets in his day.

One of my clients, Matthew Walker, suggested that I talk to someone at Motion Industries in Medford, OR. He said that they may already have a simple solution for me.

Another client of mine took the time to explain to me the importance of aerodynamics and how to test your fairing shape with water or thread as an alternative to a wind tunnel. He used to work for Bruce Meyers, creator of the Meyers Manx, designing motorcycle fairings. After talking with him I'm thinking of making a shell-like fiberglass body around most of my bike. I've been working on some more design drawings for it.

Now that I legally own the bike I'm going to start chopping it up!

Between my sponsors and I, we've saved up $335.65 towards the bike! I can't believe the support I'm getting for this project. Thank you everyone.

...etadpU <----

TIME~ 00:30 (hh:mm)
GAIN~ $12.79

Ok, I know it's been a while. I have excuses, but you don't want to hear them. At least I've made a new video!

The coils sold on ebay and I shipped them out. That took about 30 miuntes and I gained $12.79.

I've been receiving lots of donations for the project and sending out lots of bumper stickers. I want to let everyone know that for every $5 they donated they are welcome to a bumper sticker, but please note that the bumper stickers cost me about $2.50 to make. So if you donate more than $10 please specify the amount of stickers that you need.

I got a response back from A123Systems. They Said...

"Dear Jared Mulloy,

Thank you for submitting your battery requirements to A123Systems. Your inquiry has been carefully reviewed by our Sales & Engineering team.

Unfortunately, we have determined that we are unable to support your request at this time. A123Systems does not have the resources to provide pack design and other technical and engineering support for small volume applications. In the future we will be developing more off-the-shelf products to meet the needs of applications like yours. Please check our website periodically for new product announcements.

If you need to contact us with additional information, please reply to this email referencing your project number.

Thank you for your interest in A123Systems and our technology, and for taking the time to submit your request.

Thank you.
A123 Systems"

So I guess I'll have to look for someone else. Batteries are the least of my worries right now... I have a Sprocket Dilemma!



Here's a few more pictures of the swing arm to give you a better Idea of what I mean.



To avoid this problem the EL Ninja uses a motor mounted on the side of the swing arm around where the passenger foot peg is. I don't like it. It's uneven weight distribution, tacky, and uncomfortable for a passenger. So hopefully my plan works.

I've been reading about welding. I found a terrific free online welding course. Click HERE to check it out. I'm not sure if I'll be doing my own welding, but it's interesting anyway.

More to come soon!

Comment Responses:

• Jillan Mulloy of New Hampshire, thanks for the donation! Enjoy the bumper stickers!
  

Shipments & Tape

TIME~ 00:30 (hh:mm)
GAIN~ $10.18

TOOLS~

• Packing Tape
  

I sent out two more ebay items today. The starter sold for $0.01! Someone out there got lucky!

I had to break down and buy some packing tape, but that's been the first expense in a while.


Comment Responses:

• Joan Garuti of New Hampshire sent me a donation! Thanks Joan!
  

The Redwoods

TIME~ 00:00 (hh:mm)
COST~ $0.00


The carbs sold!!! About time! Ahhhh.... one less stress.

I went for a great camping trip this weekend. It was nice to take a break and connect with the beautiful stuff that inspires me to conserve and try to not be wasteful or destructive. If you haven't seen the redwoods... CHECK THEM OUT.



I think the wall next to me is a redwood tree that had fallen a long time ago and became part of the landscape. It must have been over 12 feet wide. I wonder how long it will take to completely decompose.

During my trip, I drove down some nice and curvy roads. I can't wait till I have a running motorcycle again.