Help Rich Bring Back The Raht

“Hello darlin’, it’s been a long time” (Conway Twitty)

Yes, it has been a long time and I’ve missed the community, the family really that has been so supportive of me, of our dream – the RAHT , (Recharging Anthro-Hybrid Transcycle). And greetings bikers, bike commuters, electric car lovers, hot rod lovers and anyone else who likes to ride the “road less traveled” in a badass machine. After ceasing operations several years ago, Kronfeld Motors  is back in the shop, working on our prototype, breathing life into it again.

By 2014, my team and I had finished building a beautiful prototype of the world’s first highway speed, pedal-electric vehicle, the Raht and for several years after, I worked to start a company around it. Unfortunately, because of a wild assortment of awful circumstances out of my control, I had to abandon the project in 2018. I went to work as an AV tech and tried to put it all behind me. However, last year I got laid off due to Covid and started to work on the prototype, (I had time on my hands). Luckily, I found a few dedicated and talented people to work with and we are going to get the Raht working again.

There’s been a boom in bike, ebike and fitness tech markets and there’s a bigger interest in EV’s now than there was when we first built our prototype; I believe the timing is better today for our vision. If we have a fully functional and improved prototype, we’ll have a much better chance of getting our company off the ground.

We started working on and off last fall and our plan is to do an intense sprint this July to finish it. We need to raise $10,000. We have to buy parts, have some custom parts made, and I want to pay my team members something.

We need money for the following –

1. Replace handlebar with a steering wheel that has incorporated control buttons.

2. Complete rebuild and install of pedal accelerator unit.

3. Add in new speedometer.

4. Re-plumb brake lines.

5. Install new brake lever, master cylinder and fluid reservoir.

6. Add in proportioning valve for brakes.

7. Wire in turn signals, headlights & taillights.

8. Re-program graphic user interface (GUI).

9. Re-program servo controlled CVT transmission.

10. Install a new seat.

11. Apply interior finishing materials, fabric, foam, etc.

Anyone who donates can get a free test ride, once we’re done with the work and/or if you can get yourself to Minneapolis, (unless you already live here).

Besides my kids, my greatest, proudest accomplishment is conceiving and building a kind of vehicle that had never existed before. A large part of that pride and joy was the community that was born and supported me with its enthusiasm. It was you. You came to industry, clean tech shows, county fairs, eager to talk about the Raht. You emailed me to tell me how you’ve always wanted this kind of vehicle. You told me what you loved about it, (and sometimes what you didn’t love about it). You picked me up on my dark days with honest words of support, even to the extent of wanting to travel here and help. Thank you so much.

Richard Kronfeld

#SmallBusinessRelief