Hello; Came across this in searching for an electric reverse for a trike project I am building. I am using the back end of a chain driven motorcycle and I am thinking about fabbing up a starter motor to a gear mounted on the swing arm making contact with the chain or a gear mounted to the rear wheel. Wondering if you came up with anything.

The number of occasions I have had to lug my heavy motorcycle (Yamaha XJ900) in the 20 years I have had it and done may miles, I can count on one hand. I wouldn't buy one, but I suppose it could be useful for some people who find themselves having to reverse a few yards up an incline constantly.

There are small electric motors that are designed to bolt onto existing bicycles, turning them into electric mopeds. The kind I'm thinking of powers the front bicycle wheel through a small, hard rubber wheel that presses against the tire. Mount one of these on the motorcycle, turned around so it propels the bike backward. Use the stock motorcycle alternator to recharge the "reverse motor" battery pack.

The Pulse and Litestar have a reverse unit, I believe from 'Brushtech' mfg.

It pushes a toothed-cylinder up against the rear wheel and runs a DC motor. You engage it with a cable, armstrong power.

It's on this page, under 'reverse unit'

http://www.autocycles.org/pulsepartslist.html