It's in the works still.
Mechanically all set. Electric motor front wheel was easy to swap out. The battery pack that I bought took a bit of time to fuch with since a shock absorber for the back triangle sits in the main triangle of the bike. It didn't fit in easy as advertised, was a c#nt hair too big and I needed to dremmel some of the mounting brackets. Been doing it in the living room (carpeted with a drop cloth underneath) Lost a little 4-40 pan head screw in the process somewhere. Had to just go with two mounting screws on the little bracket. Ended up finding the third this morning walking barefoot in the living room (like stepping on a tiny f-in tack). How it ended up 5 feet away from my assembly area, I have no clue but it found me.
I tried to go frugal when bought the battery pack, the controller, and the wheel motor - I kinda did it in a piece wise fashion so the wiring connectors were all different. Had to buy some different crimp connectors to mate them all together. Did that this past weekend. I get juice out of the battery (learned that by mistake, it makes a nice spark if you cross the + and - wires). Doesn't seem like it's getting juice to the motor though. I'm missing something that is probably obvious.
The hand breaks are supposed to cut out the motor. Then the motor should kick in when you twist the throttle but something electrical ain't engaging. What was supposed to be a 2 hour retrofit has turned into a on and off weekend project for the past couple weekends.
I probably see about half a dozen electric bikes buzzing around town each week. I'm thinking of taking it to the local bike shop downtown and dumping it off with all the parts. "Here ya' go. Make it work, and tell me what I owe you" type of thing.
Part of me says to back out and go back to human power. The bike is not my main mode of transportation and I don't really need it but I'm a dweeb for technology, I'm stubborn and refuse to punt.
At this point I'm about $500+ into the "upgrade." In for a penny, in for a pound. If it cost's me another $200 for the local mom and pop bike shop to get it going... well then... I'm supporting my local community along the way. They are good peeps, I don't mind giving them my money to keep their small business going.
Meybe they can put a little plow on the front and I can make some coin plowing sidewalks this winter.
Edited by user
5 years ago |
Reason: Not specified