Progress, regress and more progress?
Posted by TravellingStrom on July 4, 2025
PROGRESS
Well, a few things have happened since my last post about converting the Vstrom to an electric bike, so let me refresh. The main goal is to change out the motor, fuel tank and possibly the wheels, and replace them with electric alternatives. That would be a big series of battery packs( instead of motor and tank) and maybe high powered electric wheels(not sure if this is possible). What I am reading so far, is an electric motor driving a belt, chain system using original wheels. Looking into that.
First off, the 25kmh speed limit allowed in Queensland(for an electric bike). That is a fact, but only if you are an unlicensed rider. Once you go over 25kmh, you need to have a motorbike license. Problem solved, my license is unlimited. Tick one for me 🙂
Next, is the ability to “create” an electric bike and is it legal to ride.
Well, here we ran into some legalese mumbo jumbo, but the main issue that I could glean from a number of forums, was that the bike, once converted needed to be signed off by a certified “engineer”, and apparently they charge like a scrub bull. Nothing new there.
REGRESS
Not an impossible issue, except, where are these people, few and far between it seems, and not located anywhere near me. More study required.
The next issue that popped up a few weeks later is a game changer, for the negative, and is a physical personal issue. My main mode of transport at the moment, is a Honda CBR500, it was a good deal when I bought it, cheap, nearly brand new and extremely low km, less than 1000 as a matter of fact, not even run in! The issue was that as I arrived home early one evening, I stopped on the gravel to check my mail, my left knee gave out due to extreme pain, and I dropped the bike. I stepped off in reality, but the point was, the bike was horizontal. I have recently been diagnosed with severe arthritis in both knees. So, as it turns out, after 3 attempts to lift this small bike with extreme stabbing knives in both knees, I left it there overnight. I gave it a few more tries early in the next morning, but nah 😦 That mentally put paid to any serious thoughts I had about future solo travel by motorbike, fuel or solar.
That basically put paid to any real effort to convert the Vstrom to electric mobility. Oh, I could still modify the bike but if you know me, this bike would be horizontal at some stage. The issue being, riding solo, on a heavy electric bike, how long would I have to wait until somebody comes along to help me get it upright? And I did have some isolated tracks to investigate, that I was real keen on.
I had to go back to the pub to drown my sorrows, but as it turns out , you can learn new and interesting things.
Progress
Guess what, there is a way to continue. Well, if I am game.
Check this out
By crikey mort, we may have a solution!!!
If this jack system works, which I believe it will, then suck me dry and call me dusty, I think I am back in the touring game 🙂 🙂 🙂
To be continued………
TravellingStrom 
solinodebaay said
Hey Strom,
Sorry to hear about the knees. I can relate as I seem to have the start of a similar problem with mine.
Not from biking though, been walking multi-day marches for a couple of years now.
As for your specific endeavours, wouldn’t a trike not be something for you? Or is the 2 wheels a must? Might even be an easier platform to convert to electric? I do not have any engineering experience, so this is just common sense talking without any knowledge to hinder 😉
Been meaning to write, since your previous post about trying to get a bike converted, but hadn’t gotten around to it.
Has been a while since we met. This was around 2009/2010 in Bolivia. You were on your way to the south and we were on our honeymoon. We met a little ways outside of Potosi.
I have been following your travels since then, somehow.
Anyways, best of luck and looking forward to what you come up with.
Regards from the Netherlands,
Solino and Nienke
TravellingStrom said
Hi, I thought about a trike or Spyder, but did not like the middle wheel in the center of the track. a sidecar is a possibility. Still grogging, I mean thinking 😉
TravellingStrom said
G’day m8, thanks for the info, and I have to admit, my brain cells I used back then have been flushed, so I will have to go back through my posts to see if there is any memories. I do recall Potosi. Anyway, hope you guys are doing well and still riding. My next update, which I am currently tweaking will keep you informed of the current options. Cheers TS
tedreesw650 said
Richard,
Many years ago there was a TV programme on motorcycles produced by a couple of amateurs in Queensland.
I cannot recall the name of the programme.
It was a community type broadcast when we had Community stations. Do we still have them? Not sure.
Anyway I remember one episode regarding a Honda Gold Wing.
A company in Queensland manufactured a set of “Dolly” wheels which came down in front of the rear wheel when the speed was quite low then they retracted when the speed increased.
This meant that you did not have to put your foot on the ground until you wanted to get off.
I have been searching and found this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTMGEC577sY
I do not think that this one would be too good on dirt, but better than nothing. See https://dorjet.com/en/
One of your Queensland mates, or even you, may remember the TV show.
I could do with a set for my W650 as I cannot ride it at present.
All the best,
Ted Rees
Donnybrook WA
becsta said
It’s good to follow along with your on your new journey electrifying your bike. I have often thought about getting one of the lost type of winches, there is no way I could pick my bike up by myself, I don’t do much solo riding now so probably not really an issue for me at the moment. Good luck with the conversion. I look forward to seeing how this pans out.