# Diesel or gas engine as an e-motorcycle range extender?

**URL:** <https://community.electricforum.com/t/diesel-or-gas-engine-as-an-e-motorcycle-range-extender/3630>\
**Category:** Conversion Kits\
**Created:** [July 16, 2013, 3:06pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/diesel-or-gas-engine-as-an-e-motorcycle-range-extender/3630 "2013-07-16T15:06:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![nil0lab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a87d85/32.png) [@nil0lab](https://community.electricforum.com/u/nil0lab)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 3:06pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/diesel-or-gas-engine-as-an-e-motorcycle-range-extender/3630/1 "2013-07-16T15:06:15Z")

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I read with interest the old thread “motorcycle engine as an ICE range extender?”

I’ve got a scaled-down version of the question.

I’ve got a 2011 Zero Motorcycles Zero S electric motorcycle that just can’t make the 38 miles once-a-week trip I bought it for. It can do about 30 miles.

So I’m thinking I could put a 5-7HP engine on it, geared so I can mechanically engage it and it’ll hit optimal RPM at 50-60MPH, just for the freeway portion of the trip. Optimal RPM appears to be 3000-4000RPM for these 30-40lb engines)

I’d rig it so any braking at all disengages it (brake light wire is handy for that).

Any advice?

I have looked at generators in the same class, and they weigh about double.

Nil