French tyre manufacturer Michelin are backing a unique World Record attempt this August.
Set up by a volunteer team from Imperial College’s Racing Green programme, a name which will be familiar to TT fans, the ZEPHiR project will see them attempt to become the first electric motorcycle to travel from John O’Groats to Lands End.
Above is the initial concept sketch for the bike, which uses an old BMW R65 as it’s base and will also feature the world’s first 3D printed, water-cooled electric motorcycle motor developed in partnership with Frazer-Nash and Renishaw – who ever said water and electric don’t mix?
An innovative textile fairing and seat created by Postgraduate students at the Royal College of Art will then be supported by a 3D printed superstructure clad with carbon fibre and mounted to the BMW frame.
Shod with Michelin tyres, the team will display the bike at various public events to highlight to innovative work done by the Imperial Racing Green programme to create a high-range, road legal electric motorcycle.
Michelin Marketing Manager for the UK and Ireland, James Dimmock, said: “We’re excited to support this ground-breaking project. It’s been rewarding to work with the team in the planning stages, as we’ve been able to help with their tyre selection and advise them about the importance of tyres in terms of reducing rolling resistance and extending battery life, while ensuring good performance at speed. At Michelin, we pride ourselves on the quality and technical excellence of our tyres, and we’re delighted that this has been recognised by the Racing Green Team’s decision to choose Michelin for their pioneering ZEPHiR project.
Nathaniel Petre from Imperial’s Racing Green Team said: “2016 is going to be an exciting year for us. The world record attempt in August will be the culmination of many months of hard work. To have confidence in our tyres and the support and technical advice from the experts at Michelin means the ZEPHiR project is certainly more likely to succeed in the objectives. We couldn’t be happier to count such a world-famous marque of excellence among our supporters.”
