“Damien Tanner challenges the conventional notion of customizable bikes driven by nostalgia and aesthetics, instead advocating for innovative experimentation with electric powertrains, which he believes offer unparalleled possibilities.” “We also supply automotive manufacturers with electric vehicle components and technology in addition to creating custom designs for clients.”
The Phaser Sort 1 is the flagship custom-built project undertaken by the Union Movement for completion at home. Initially, the Sort 1 emerged as a 1998 Yamaha Fazer, a 600cc rolling chassis that arrived at the workshop. The Fazers’ empty double loop body provided a blank slate for the team to develop and refine their customized, battery-powered drive techniques. Without the constraints of conventional thinking, multiple innovative engine mounting configurations were rigorously tested. To minimize the need for re-engineering issues, the electrical motor was mounted in the same location as the original unit, allowing it to replicate the final drive output of the original bike exactly.
While battery size is crucial for electric cars, the 6KWh pack takes up a significant portion of the vehicle’s overall volume, shaping its exterior form. At 50kg, the battery constitutes the majority of the Sort 1’s weight, necessitating deliberate attention to its placement to maintain a low center of gravity and thereby optimize handling. With batteries being one of the most frequently maintained components of electric vehicles, the pack is designed to be easily removable and replaceable within just five minutes, thanks to its rail-based system. This feature also enables riders to store a secondary pack at home, allowing for a quick swap and extended usage time.
The Sort 1’s new bodywork is crafted from precision-cut CNC-machined aluminum, leaving it unpainted and finished in a matte satin black that yields an impressively stealthy appearance.
The custom-made hole tank houses the engine’s control unit and miscellaneous electrical components, while the trimmed rear sub-body accommodates its sleek, modern solo seat and tail unit. The Fazer-inspired bike retains its distinct brake system, suspension, and control features, albeit with simplification resulting from the removal of the clutch lever and integration of a digital sprint display mounted on a distinctive high clamp. While the distinctive entrance wheel remains prominent at the front, a subtle nod to Japanese anime’s Akira is evident at the rear, where stable alloy discs adorn the wheel in a striking homage.
With regard to efficiency, the Phaser Sort 1 attains a top speed of 110mph, exceeding the ton mark. The electric bike tips the scales at 160kg, yet its humble 32kw (42bhp) output belies a wealth of torque potential, a whopping 120Nm accessible at the mere turn of the wrist. While the automotive-grade lithium-ion batteries have a notable limitation, their lifespan being only suitable for approximately 60 miles, the presence of a secondary battery at home can prove unexpectedly beneficial in this scenario. Fortunately, charging times are impressively swift, taking just two hours to complete. As battery technology continues to improve daily, these figures can only continue to rise with the passage of time.
While most prominent automotive manufacturers have already transitioned to electric motors, the bicycle industry seems slow to follow suit. Despite growing momentum towards zero-emission vehicles, the shift to hybrid or fully electric motorcycles remains sluggish, with little progress made in recent years. To address the growing need for eco-friendly transportation options, the Brighton-based custom workshop, Union Movement, is proactively taking matters into its own hands. Union representatives Dom, Damien, and William offer their clients the opportunity to own a unique electric bike built using the same chassis, bodywork, and suspension technologies employed in combustion-powered motorcycles.
