Post-Sale Update: This Auranthetic sold for $920 after 14 bids on eBay.
When I say ‘electric motorcycle’, you’ll probably think of Zero or Victory, now that the latter has acquired Brammo. If you’re passionate about the dirt, you may even have heard of Alta Motors and the Redshift MX. But what if I asked you for an electric motorcycle from the 70s? Here’s your answer – the Auranthetic Charger.
Using a 1 horsepower, 24 volt DC motor, this 200-pound bike was able to hit 25-30 miles per hour, with a range of approximately 20-30 miles. Common sense would dictate that the throttle would be a potentiometer, so you’d have some sort of linear relationship between how far the throttle was open and how many volts were being sent to the drive wheel. Instead, the throttle just had two speeds. If you pulled it a little, you got 12V. Pull the throttle harder and you got 24V. No modulation between off/half/full! Want to learn more? Head on over to Econogics for all the information you’d want.
This specific Auranthetic Charger (VIN: F0001382) is claimed to be in good running condition, and it’s street-legal (at least in Ohio). The batteries were installed two years ago and the seller says the only thing that isn’t working is the left rear turn signal (which needs a bulb). The voltmeter and original master switch were replaced but are included, and one of the fork boots has a crack in it. Note that it has the relatively rare engine guard and luggage rack, which is a bonus.
Find this Auranthetic Charger for sale in Batavia, Ohio with bidding up to $600
This bike-uriousity brought to you by Tim O!