the induction motor conversion idea just won't leave my head, either.  there seem to be pluses and minuses to both ideas.  i think the axial flux (when finished) is elegantly simple, weather-proof, and efficient.  but the idea of buying a motor, modifying it slightly, and away you go...  rather than winding all those coils.  then there's the cost.  looks like the magnets alone for an alternator like this are around $250, not to mention the copper.  so, today i picked up a 3-phase, 1400rpm, 3kw induction motor.  it was about $130.  i think i may end up making the axial flux alternator, and playing around with the induction motor, too.