Bafang Bbs01 unusual fault

[SleuthDog]

Hi guys, bought my first ebike the other day and now I'm signing up to this forum because it isn't working anymore

I've got a bafang bbs01 250v mid drive installed on a claude butler stone river, its done 27 light miles since last week.

I was riding the other day and the chain came off the bike, since then it wont let me pedal manually (even when the battery is removed). The motor seems fine as both throttle and pedal assist work, if i turn the cog by hand the back wheel spins but there is nothing happening at the pedals, they just free spin both backwards and forwards.

Has anybody had this issue before? I know a little about bikes but don't really havd any of the tools (crank pulled etc) and am in a bit of a bind about what to do (the bike was second hand so it was sold as seen).

I'm based in sheffield, does anybody know of a specialist around here also as im guessing halfords wont touch it.

All the best and thank you in advance.

Adam

 

[Woosh]

I think your clutch bearing may need replacing.
It's not a difficult job, a local garage may fix it for you.

 

[SleuthDog]

Thanks man. Is it a bafang specific part that i need then or is it a general bike part?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I would say that it's your clutch that's jammed. You can buy replacements. I thought Woosh were selling them, otherwise from here:

http://www.greenbikekit.com/bafang-8fun-mid-crank-motor-clutch-for-replacement.html

Here's hoe to dismantle the shaft from the motor:

https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=65711

 

[Woosh]

I thought Woosh were selling them

I have clutches for the GSM, not BBSes.

 

[SleuthDog]

Cheers guys. New to this forum but you have all been really helpful and I appreciate it.

 

[Woosh]

this is the freewheel (clutch) - it's difficult to get to, but not impossible.
As you can see, it's a robust mechanism but it can sometimes get jammed.

 

[Fordulike]

this is the freewheel (clutch) - it's difficult to get to, but not impossible.
As you can see, it's a robust mechanism but it can sometimes get jammed.

Agree that they are robust mechanisms. I would have thought that all three pawls would have to fail at once, for there to be zero drive at the crank.

Odd

 

[Woosh]

sometimes water and dirt can get in, create a fair amount of sludge.
The sludge can clog up the pawls.

 

[SleuthDog]

With regards water and sludge, I bought the bike last week with 1 mile on it. Since then I've done 26 and its has only been ridden in the dry so I don't think thats a possibility. The motor housing looks new with not a speck on it.

 

[SleuthDog]

Not giving up or anything but I'm having second thoughts on the whole e-bike thing after this issue. Please tell me if this is allowed or not but as its potentially an easy fix for somebody in the know, would anybody be interested in buying it? I paid 525 last week but I would sell it for 450 due to the fault, its got a cyclotricity bottle battery.

 

[Charliefox]

After all the problems I've heard about mid drives....they also put a lot of strain on the chain and gears.... I am so glad I stuck to Hub motors. One has lasted me 16 years with just one re-grease. The newer rear Bafang hub I fitted to an MTB is near silent and never let me down even on 7Staines red runs over past 2 years. So don't give up on eBikes just yet!

 

[Croxden]

After all the problems I've heard about mid drives....they also put a lot of strain on the chain and gears.... I am so glad I stuck to Hub motors. One has lasted me 16 years with just one re-grease. The newer rear Bafang hub I fitted to an MTB is near silent and never let me down even on 7Staines red runs over past 2 years. So don't give up on eBikes just yet!

9000 miles so far, still ok.

 

[Woosh]

croxden, did the bike ever have any part replaced since you bought it?

 

[jarob10]

The freewheel has just let go on my bbs01b after approx 500miles, supplied new in Jan 17. Stripdown underway.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

9000 miles so far, still ok.

Yes, a complete list of every expense, including dealer charges, would be very useful for people to assess the cost of long-term ownership.

 

[jarob10]

this is the freewheel (clutch) - it's difficult to get to, but not impossible.
As you can see, it's a robust mechanism but it can sometimes get jammed.

Not sure i'd describe this design as robust- there's not much of the pawl left after 500 miles. The female spline looks in good order though

 

[jarob10]

In case it helps anyone UK based, my LBS tells me the bafang freewheel pawls are identical in shape to this version:

http://www.jejamescycles.com/dt-freewheel-pawl-for-rear-onyx-hub-sold-as-one-10012496.html

 

[Woosh]

Not sure i'd describe this design as robust- there's not much of the pawl left after 500 miles. The female spline looks in good order though

The pawl at 2 o'clock looks damaged from your picture. Can you confirm?

Also, thanks for the info.

 

[jarob10]

The pawl at 2 o'clock looks damaged from your picture. Can you confirm?

Also, thanks for the info.

Wouldnt describe the condition as damaged - all three pawls are worn excessively, to a similar degree.

There were slivers of pawl material in the freewheel space, which must have been bouncing around in there, contributing to the accelerated wear.

I'm speculating any original surface hardening has worn away, leading to the softer sub-surface wearing super quick prior to failure.

I'm gonna try the dt-swiss versions - hopefully they'll last longer without damaging the female spline.