El Chopper ET
A 60+ MPH Custom Electric Motorcycle You Build from Plans

Smooth, fast, quiet, comfortable, clean, and economical—that’s what El Chopper ET is all about. It’s long, low, and has a fat rear…it’s a chopper, and it’s electric. At 50 mph, the sound of the wind is all you hear unless you turn on the optional MP3/speaker system that plays a rumbling tailpipe recording. The attention you’ll get from onlookers will be well worth the price of admission (about $1,200 in parts including the motor, controller, and motorcycle rolling chassis). And we’ll show you how you can build it yourself. The Unique design El Chopper ET combines a lightweight customized motorcycle (based on a stock motorcycle rolling chassis) with a high-power electric vehicle motor, a controller, and a set of inexpensive, readily available batteries. The result is a long-range (30-40 miles), high-performance, 60-mph-class machine.
         El Chopper ET design accommodates standard and custom motorcycle seats, tanks, and other accessories so you can personalize your machine with off-the-shelf parts. The unique, stretched-out, custom chassis and stylish motorcycle seat allow you to cruise around town in comfort and style. El Chopper ET’s low seat height (25”) and adjustable foot peg positioning accommodate riders from 4’9” to 6’7” tall.

You Can Build Your Own El Chopper ET

          The El Chopper ET Builder’s Guide shows how to begin with a Honda Rebel* 250 chassis and convert it into El Chopper ET. It walks you though the building process, step-by-step, providing descriptions, dimensioned CAD drawings and photographs for the two different wheel-base options.
          Complete instructions and plans are provided in this 67-page, 8 ½ x 11-inch, photo-illustrated manual. CAD drawings are provided in both 2D dimensioned layout drawings and 3D perspectives to give you a complete view of what you are building. Many detailed photos and CAD sequences show each step of the build-up of the welded steel frame and the assembly of all the parts to make a complete motorcycle. A full list of the materials used to build El Chopper ET is provided in the El Chopper ET Builder’s Guide. A list of parts vendors with addresses, phone numbers, and web site addresses is also provided.
          El Chopper ET Builder’s Guide also includes an introduction to vehicle dynamics and electric vehicle technology to provide you with a basic understanding of two-wheeled electric vehicles, and how to apply electric vehicle components.
         The motor used in El Chopper ET is the high-performance Etek motor that can be operated at 24, 36, or 48 volts. At 48 volts and 400 amps, the Etek delivers over 15 peak horsepower. The design accommodates a variety of controller and battery options as well. The motor, controller, power switch, and throttle are available from mail-order and/or Web electric vehicle component suppliers. (Even though the Etek motor is perhaps the most powerful and efficient DC motor available for light electric vehicles, Briggs and Stratton is said to be working on a next-generation Etek motor and controller that promise to be even more efficient!)
          Motorcycle rolling chassis are available from local motorcycle salvage yards or from old motorcycles selling in the classified ads. Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts may be purchased from your local dealer or after-market parts dealers, or at swap meets. Many of these parts (Sportster* tanks, Badlander* seats, foot pegs, mirrors, etc.) will easily bolt right onto El Chopper ET. Building El Chopper ET is primarily a   frame-customizing and assembly project. If you don’t have welding skills or the necessary welding equipment, you can take the rolling chassis and the frame drawings from the El Chopper ET Builder’s Guide to a local welding shop and have the frame built for you.

Registering and Licensing El Chopper ET

         When configured with the full-power options, El Chopper ET is registered, insured, and operated as a motorcycle. However, El Chopper ET’s design includes a special electronic governor that allows you to limit the top speed. This makes it possible to suit new or less experienced riders, or to meet the 30-MPH moped or scooter licensing rules in most states. 

* Sportster and Badlander are registered trademarks of Harley Davidson. Rebel is a registered trademark of Honda.