Electric motorcycle conversions of classic bikes are gaining momentum. Paris-based custom shop Mototherapy has introduced ‘Ride Mercury,’ an electric motorcycle conversion project that targets classic BMW boxers, and they’ve rolled out their prototype, the ‘R01.’
The R01 is based on the timeless BMW R75 motorcycle, which has been carefully restored, preserving most of its original charm.
Mototherapy’s objective with the ‘Ride Mercury’ project is to revive classic motorcycles by adding electric drivetrains. Company founder Jean-Marie Raymon emphasizes that functionality is at the heart of their efforts, aiming for a practical enhancement rather than creating a mere showroom novelty.
To achieve this, Mototherapy’s team has ingeniously designed a full electric drivetrain that seamlessly fits into the BMW R75’s chassis, without the need for any frame modifications. This plug-and-play system keeps the essence of the original motorcycle intact.
The electric motor delivers up to 20 kW of power, producing a maximum of 340 Nm of torque and 30 hp, driving the rear wheel. The current range on a single charge is approximately 150 km (93 miles), and the onboard 1.8 kW charger takes about six hours for a full recharge.
All the essential components are neatly packaged within custom-made aluminum enclosures, with structural elements crafted from steel. Two of the four batteries are housed in cases designed to resemble the boxer’s iconic cylinder heads, while the other two are positioned closer to the front of the bike. The electric motor is located where the original transmission used to be and is directly connected to the BMW’s original driveshaft.
Because Mototherapy handles all design aspects in-house, the layout is continually evolving. A second-generation design is already in the works, featuring ‘cylinder heads’ positioned a bit lower for improved ventilation.
It’s essential to note that the R01 serves as a proof of concept. This explains the use of Ride Mercury’s prototype ‘engine block’ design and the fact that many other aspects of the bike remain original. The objective is to demonstrate that an electric drivetrain can be retrofitted onto a vintage motorcycle without requiring a complete overhaul of the machine.
Only a few components have been upgraded, such as the headlight internals and the digital dashboard that connects to the motor’s controller. Currently, the original fuel tank is an empty shell, but the team is exploring options to convert it into storage space or integrate an enhanced charging port.
For those looking to get their hands on one, the entire package isn’t available as a ‘crate’ system yet. However, Ride Mercury will assemble a complete electric BMW R75 for a starting price of €29,500 (around $31,233). Pre-orders for the R01 will open next week, with the first deliveries expected in the second quarter of the coming year.
