I’ve started converting old two and three wheelers to EV’s. It’s a great combination of three things I like; tech, design, and work! I’ve received many inquiries on the site so I’ve started a new section on EV conversions. I hope you enjoy it.
Other Metal Scooter Conversions
Have you converted a metal scooter to EV and do you want to share your story? Complete my form below and send some pictures and I’ll put them on my site!
Latest Posts
- A Little Trailer for My Little Car
I built my Campi-style trailer during Covid to attach to my Heinkel Tourist scooter. I like towing it much better with my car. It’s perfect… Read more: A Little Trailer for My Little Car - The Bella EV Scooter is Done!
I finished the Bella EV conversion in August and have been putting it through a series of shakedown rides to tighten up loose things and… Read more: The Bella EV Scooter is Done! - So Many Wires!
I’ve started the EV low voltage wiring. There are so many more wires than a stock Bella R203. I’ve designed a new wiring loom to… Read more: So Many Wires! - Centerstand Repair
Centerstands take a lot of abuse on every kind of scooter. I’ve restored Vespas, Lambrettas, Heinkels and now a Bella, and every one of them… Read more: Centerstand Repair - Paint Saving Plastic Spacer
I’m not a fan of the way the bodywork is attached to the Bella frame. In fact, the legshield isn’t technically attached at all! It’s… Read more: Paint Saving Plastic Spacer - EV High Voltage Wiring
Before I forget- did you know that you could electrocute yourself by working on an EV and not following the proper safety measures? If you… Read more: EV High Voltage Wiring - EV Frame Components and Swingarm Parts Fabrication
Now it’s time to see some real stuff! When I put it together it looks like this: The big wooden box is my battery doppelganger… Read more: EV Frame Components and Swingarm Parts Fabrication - Zundapp Bella EV Components
I finalized the powertrain design, and purchased and received the major EV components. With my design and component selection I should be able to achieve… Read more: Zundapp Bella EV Components - Metal for Swingarm
I found scrap aluminum 6061 plate that will be perfect for CNC’ing the swingarm components. Here’s a preliminary CAD design: - Designing the Swingarm and Battery Holder
There aren’t any conversion kits for Bellas, so this is where the real fun begins; designing! The result of this step is learning the actual… Read more: Designing the Swingarm and Battery Holder - Amperage Requirements of a Zundapp Bella Conversion
This will be a 72 volt conversion, which means I’ll need to step down the voltage to 12 volts to avoid blowing the light bulbs.… Read more: Amperage Requirements of a Zundapp Bella Conversion - ICE vs. EV Drivetrain Weights
I’ve done the math to determine the weight differences between the internal combustion engine (“ICE”) and EV drivetrains. There really isn’t much of a difference. - Why Convert a Bella (vs. something else)?
I’ve owned Vespas, Lambrettas, Heinkels, Hondas, and now Bellas. I’m going to let you in on something I’ve discovered: Bellas might be the best candidates… Read more: Why Convert a Bella (vs. something else)? - Bella EV Motor and Parts Unboxing
I got my parts from QS Motor. Thirty days by ship isn’t a long time and is only 60% of the cost of air freight.… Read more: Bella EV Motor and Parts Unboxing - Blasting and Painting
I’ve spent the last few weeks on abrasive blasting and painting. Abrasive blasting using crushed glass for alloy parts and coal slag for steel will… Read more: Blasting and Painting - If Scooters Could Talk
I was looking for a Heinkel Scooter to convert to an EV and I ended up with TWO Bellas! I’m happy though- and they will… Read more: If Scooters Could Talk - Emergency Brake Improvement
I installed a disk brake on the rear wheel as an emergency and parking brake. Because it’s hydraulic I couldn’t use the original Heinkel ratcheting… Read more: Emergency Brake Improvement