battery stuck on bike, any suggestions ?

[Andrew Brown]

I have just purchased a one year old very tidy Cyclotricity Revolver from a e bay private seller and all is well but the battery ( a 14 KWH one) wont unlock to remove the battery ( which works ) One of the keys is mangled and the lock mechanism ( which appears to be built into the battery holder ) has no real reiistance when you turn the key It just has no traction and there isnt a clear sense of disengagement. The battery won't come off. I think it was forced at some stage. There was an elderly owner who has died and the son in law is selling it on.

The battery is the type as shown here

https://www.cyclotricity.com/uk/commute-132/revolver-hybrid-14ah-55.html

The bike was a good price and I;m hopeful that an inexpensive solution might exist,. Does anyone have any suggestions. Obviously I can just charge it on the bike but thats not so convenient and it would be appropropriate to keep an eye on the contacts under the battery from a maintenance perpective

Thank you


Andrew

 

[Wicky]

Have you tried contacting CycloTricity via their website?

https://www.cyclotricity.com/uk/contact-us

 

[Andrew Brown]

Have you tried contacting CycloTricity via their website?

https://www.cyclotricity.com/uk/contact-us

Tha nk you Wicky, I haven't yet because I only just collected the bike today but I was wondering if pedelec members had any suggestions anyway. It seems to me that the locking mechanism must have not responded to the key at some stage and the owner probably tried to force it unstruck with the result something with the lock has broke and now has no chance of disengaging the part of the lock that engaged with the battery to keep it in position. The key just moves so loosely and does not disengage anything. Nothing 'looks ' damaged or forced' but there seems to have been a need at some point to try and force the lock with the key.

 

[mike killay]

There are ways (destructive) to open these locks but I am not going to reveal it on the internet.
You need a locksmith.

 

[Andrew Brown]

Sounds like the tab on the back of the lock barrel that operates the locking mechanism has sheared off, in which case you will have to drill out the barrel. You will then be able to operate the lock with a screw driver and release the battery. start by prising off the chrome cover and you will be able to see what's going on. Lock can be replaced, but this will mean you opening the battery case. Something like this.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Battery-Chager-Mini-Lock-with-2-keys-For-Motorcycle-Electric-Bike-Scooter-E-bike/282679890212

Thank you. That's very helpful. When you say opening the battery case I think the mechanism (the metal lever) just sits in a groove on the battery case. The lock seems to be in the cradle that the battery sits in

How would that tab have sheared off ? Well I mean I realise no one knows for sure but what migyht make that happen . Usually unlocking the battery is a easy thing and I cannot imagine how it got stuck to the extent that the owner had ( it seems) to force it to the point the key bent and the mechanism in the lock broke such that there is zero resitance. Its usually a firm but easy turning of the key but this one has no resistance ?

 

[Andrew Brown]

There are ways (destructive) to open these locks but I am not going to reveal it on the internet.
You need a locksmith.

Thank you. But would a locksmith be in a position to fit a replacement lock in an e bike ? Would the owner have to source that lock ? and are we talking much money for the locksmiths efforts if the machine was taken to them ?

 

[mike killay]

Thank you. But would a locksmith be in a position to fit a replacement lock in an e bike ? Would the owner have to source that lock ? and are we talking much money for the locksmiths efforts if the machine was taken to them ?

No idea, take it along and ask for an estimate.
Bear in mind Locksmiths will be security conscious and you will have to prove ownership etc, a lock damaged as you describe will raise suspicions.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

You don't need to do anything with the lock because there's nothing wrong with it, so you don't need any locksmith. A blacksmith would be more appropriate. There should be no resistance to turning the key, and it turns 180 deg.

The battery is stuck on its ramps. You have to unlock it by turning the key anti-clockwise when viewed from the left side, then put a block between the frame and the back of the battery so you can lever the back of the battery towards the steering head. Sometimes a good knock with the heel of your hand will shift it. Be careful that the key doesn't turn back after you put it in the correct position while you're trying to unstick the battery because, as you say, there's no resistance to it turning.

Edit: Please note that you turn the key anti-clockwise to unlock.

 

[Andrew Brown]

Thank you for the information. It worked

 

[PGTips54]

You don't need to do anything with the lock because there's nothing wrong with it, so you don't need any locksmith. A blacksmith would be more appropriate. There should be no resistance to turning the key, and it turns 180 deg.

The battery is stuck on its ramps. You have to unlock it by turning the key anti-clockwise when viewed from the left side, then put a block between the frame and the back of the battery so you can lever the back of the battery towards the steering head. Sometimes a good knock with the heel of your hand will shift it. Be careful that the key doesn't turn back after you put it in the correct position while you're trying to unstick the battery because, as you say, there's no resistance to it turning.

Edit: Please note that you turn the key anti-clockwise to unlock.

I had a similar issue on a Wisper 705 Classic that I bought secondhand. I suspect the battery hadn't been removed for years. The key was a bit stiff but reading above, I realised that the battery was just very difficult to remove in that it refused to slide up off the mounting bracket. Some gentle levering of the battery away from the mount resolved the situation. Once it was off, I cleaned the battery and mount interface and applied silicone spray. I also sprayed the back of the seat tube as the battery slides against that too as well the key and lock. It now slides smoothly and easily. Just how long the spray remains effective, I don't know. It is probably a good idea to remove the battery every few weeks or months to keep it free. Silicone spray sorts most things!