Brompton hub motors

Fatgadget

Pedelecer
Aug 22, 2011
29
3
Got a couple of Brompton hub motors that went north..and south!...Anyway, both got replaced under warranty. Got no pics at the mo.But trying to open them a bit of a challenge.Anyone ever attempted to have a nosey inside? It seems the controller is inside the hub.....Special tool of sorts (Expensive I imagine!) is needed by the looks of things.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,940
8,537
61
West Sx RH
Show a pic of the drive side of the hubs, tools are needed to open them but these tools can often be easily fashioned .
Opening hubs is just knowledge/know how rather then rocket science.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fatgadget

Fatgadget

Pedelecer
Aug 22, 2011
29
3
Thanks Nealh.I know! I no longer have access to a lathe - milling machine etc. Over and above that, just soliciting info anyone that has delved further into those Brompton motors?
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
6,896
3,193
Telford
Got a couple of Brompton hub motors that went north..and south!...Anyway, both got replaced under warranty. Got no pics at the mo.But trying to open them a bit of a challenge.Anyone ever attempted to have a nosey inside? It seems the controller is inside the hub.....Special tool of sorts (Expensive I imagine!) is needed by the looks of things.
I've never had an actual motor to study, but photos seem to indicate that it has conventional construction, where you unscrew the right side-plate; however, you'll need a special tool to engage with the circle of holes. If the motors are new, you might get it off with a pin wrench that has the correct size pins after heating up the circumferance of the hub with a hot air blower until it's just too hot to touch:
 

Fatgadget

Pedelecer
Aug 22, 2011
29
3
I've never had an actual motor to study, but photos seem to indicate that it has conventional construction, where you unscrew the right side-plate; however, you'll need a special tool to engage with the circle of holes. If the motors are new, you might get it off with a pin wrench that has the correct size pins after heating up the circumferance of the hub with a hot air blower until it's just too hot to touch:
It's deffo not screwed on with individual screws mate, Its got holes where I imagine a special tool locates into...Will post a pic next week when I'm where one of the wheels is at.....EDIT. Upon reading the rest of your posting....That's it! Doubt that will budge it though.But hey ho. Nothing to lose.
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
6,896
3,193
Telford
It's deffo not screwed on with individual screws mate, Its got holes where I imagine a special tool locates into...Will post a pic next week when I'm where one of the wheels is at.....EDIT. Upon reading the rest of your posting....That's it! Doubt that will budge it though.But hey ho. Nothing to lose.
By unscrew, I mean unscrew, not lift off after removing screws.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fatgadget

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,940
8,537
61
West Sx RH
@ Fatgadget , some hubs have a face plate where it is obvious and have 6 visible screws.
Others have a hidden screw joint (very finely threaded) which can be unscrewed using a (specail ) tool or a homemade tool.
Your pic will help a lot as I don't think anyone as yet has posted a pic of the hub .