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Member Name: Bob Peterson
Project Title: 1941 Electric 3 wheel bicycle
Project Status 3 - Almost Done: checked
Owner: Bob Peterson
Owners Other EV: None
Location: 3232 Vine Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403
System Voltage: 6v and 12v
Vehicle: 1941 home built electric 3 wheel bicycle
Web Page: none
Motor: 1912 Dodge generator
Drivetrain: Belts to a custom friction drive jackshaft with differential gears
Controller: No true controller. Original switch and terminal block was home
made.
Batteries: Two 6v batteries
Battery Management System: Battries are wired in both series and parallel to
the switch and terminal block
Charger: 1941 homebuilt charger.
Heater: Jacket, gloves, and hat
DCDC Converter: None
Instrumentation: None
Top Speed: 6 mph on 6v and 15 mph on 12v
Acceleration: 0 - 6 mph 2 seconds and 0 - 15 mph 10 seconds
Range: 25+ miles on 1 modern deep cycle 12v battery
Watt Hours Mile: unknown
Seating Capacity: one person
Curb Weight: 120 lbs approx.
Tires: 2.125" x 26" bicycle tires (qty. 3)
Conversion Time: 4 months
Conversion Cost: $15 in 1941
Additional Features: special handmade differential gears for each of the two
drive wheels
Project Comments: I have restored the bicycle to its 1941 configuration except
for the main switch and terminal block that were lost many years ago. I need the help of the club members
to recreate the switch and terminal block. I have the original fabricated 6v battery charger.
Submission comments: I hope to be able to complete the restoration of this bike
with the input of club members on the missing switch and terminal block. My Father created the bike from
scratch to beat the gas rationing of WWII. He rode the bike in the spring, summer, and fall during the
war years. The bike was in an article in the April 1945 issue of Popular Science (I have a copy of the
magazine). I have written a 5 page article about this project.
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