Abhi Eswarappa

Electric Revolution Takes Over The Petersen Museum

The successful “Custom Revolution” show gets an update and a new focus

Last April, the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California debuted Custom Revolution, the first major museum exhibit focused on "Alternative Custom" motorcycles. Organized by the Motorcycle Arts Foundation (MAF), the exhibit had more than 325,000 visits and was so popular the Petersen asked MAF to organize a follow-up. Meet Electric Revolution, a successor that maintains the emphasis on quality workmanship but focuses on zero-emission drivetrains. It is the world's first all-electric motorcycle exhibition.

Left: The exhibit will be open until November 24, 2019. Access is included with a general admission ticket.
Right: Harley-Davidson sponsored the exhibit and used the opportunity to show off three electric prototypes. The biggest is the LiveWire, which will be available in August.
Abhi Eswarappa

MAF co-founder Paul d'Orleans (you may also know him as The Vintagent) was again asked to guest curate the exhibition, and he brought together 21 machines that encompass more than 40 years of technological progress. The oldest machine is Quicksilver by Mike Corbin, which was the first electric motorcycle to do the ton and eventually set a record of 161 mph at Bonneville.

The opening reception included a panel of six important figures in the world of electric motorcycles. Guest curator Paul d’Orleans stands as he shares his wisdom with the crowd.Abhi Eswarappa

The rest of the motorcycles offer up tremendous variety, including one-off racers, factory prototypes, customs built specifically for Electric Revolution, and production machines that you could put in your garage today. We attended the opening night reception and were impressed with the quality and variety of machines that were on display, particularly Mark Atkinson's "Racer X" and Joey Ruiter's "Moto Undone."

Left: The Lightning LS-218 is named after a 218-mph run on the Bonneville Salt Flats. It's the fastest production electric motorcycle in the world, and it graced our cover last year as we rode it alongside a Kawasaki H2.
Right: Joey Ruiter's "Moto Undone" was built in 2011. With a 1.5-kW 48-volt hub motor, it's got a top speed of just 30 mph. The mirror finish provides an interesting perspective on the rest of the exhibit. I'm glad I'm not the one who has to clean it.
Abhi Eswarappa

Electric Revolution will be open to the public until November 24, 2019. You can purchase tickets at the Petersen Museum.

My favorite motorcycle in the exhibit is Mark Atkinson’s “Racer X.” It’s a fascinating reminder that electric motorcycles are free from many of the requirements of gas-powered bikes, such as a fuel tank.Abhi Eswarappa
Everything Walt Siegl (pictured with his hand on his chin in the background) touches seems to turn to gold, and this collaboration with Mike Mayberry of Ronin Motorworks is no different. Called the "WSM Pact," this bike features an Alta drivetrain and it was specifically built for the Electric Revolution exhibit.Abhi Eswarappa