Harley-Davidson Nightster - Click above for high-res image gallery US Senator Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-PA) has introduced legislation into the Senate that would add motorcycles to the controversial Cash for Clunkers program that was recently passed by both the US House and Senate , though with significantly reduced funding of $1 billion. Not coincidentally, Casey’s home state of Pennsylvania happens to be facing a slew of layoffs and factory closures from Harley-Davidson, America’s largest motorcycle manufacturer. Casey points to both the troubles of American motorcycle manufacturers and the powersports industry in general as well as the high fuel efficiency of motorcycles as reasons to include motorcycles in the government’s rebate program. If passed, the new amended bill would offer a $2,500 rebate for the purchase of a new motorcycle when an older trade-in is scrapped. Gallery: Harley-Davidson Nightster [Source: Clutch and Chrome ] Filed under: MPG , Legislation and Policy , On Two Wheels , USA Pennsylvania senator introduces bill to add motorcycles to Cash for Clunkers originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Earlier this week, former president Bill Clinton was in Burbank, California for a president’s day luncheon with a group of assorted green-minded politicians and business executives. Also on hand was Jeremy Snyder (that’s him on the left in the photo), the general manager of the Los Angeles Tesla store. Snyder was invited along by one of the early Tesla investors and a silver Roadster was also on hand. The event was held in what is claimed to be the only Platinum LEED certified aircraft hanger in the world. Needless to say, the former prez was eager to hop behind the wheel of the diminutive battery-powered sports car. Unfortunately, as the event was wrapping up, the guys with the suits and earpieces called a halt to the fun and dragged Clinton off to his next appointment before his thrill ride. With Tesla issuing an open invitation to the former president, it’s surely only a matter of time before a drive is arranged. [Source: Tesla ] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors , Green Daily Ex-President Clinton loses out on Tesla Roadster test drive, for now originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Filed under: EV/Plug-in , On Two Wheels Click above to enlarge Lennon Rodgers’ electric motorcycle Big motorcycle manufacturers are just now beginning to jump on the electric bandwagon , but that doesn’t mean you have to wait a few years if you want to enjoy gasoline-free two-wheeled motoring right now. There are a number of used bikes on the market that are ripe for an electric conversion, and it may not be as expensive as you think to add an electric motor, controller and batteries to an existing machine. Here are two examples. First up are Donald and Andrew Higginbotham, a father and son team that managed to create their own electric motorcycle from a used Suzuki RF900 plus three months of weekend work. After the bike’s engine, transmission and radiator were removed, 72 volts worth of batteries were fitted, which provide power to an electric motor and controller that were purchased from Electric Motorsport . Either an ETEK or a Perm 132 combo should work fine. Next up is Lennon Rodgers, who says that he was tired of breathing in harmful exhaust fumes while riding his bicycle and decided to do something about it himself. Starting with a Lifan motorcycle chassis from China, Rodgers added a 300 amp permanent magnet motor along with 72 volts worth of lead acid batteries and matching 300 amp controller with regenerative braking capability. A few other bits and pieces, plus plenty of time and effort rounded out the package for under $3,000 using parts sourced solely from the internet. Best of all, Rodgers created a handy DIY guide for those looking to replicate the project. [Sources: Electricmotion.org , The Ledger via Motorcycle.com ] Proof that DIY electric motorcycles can be built for under 3K originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 09:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

It is a rush in sales of scooter bikes, and also in sales of motorcycle bikes.
Harley Davidson is reporting sales increase of 12%. The Sportster, introductory class in HD way of lifef and pricing, is no exception. Fitted with the iconic fourty five degrees air cooled V-Twin engine, with one of the two displacements possible [...]