building a street legal ebike

[JamesW]

looking at the current regulations:
https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules

It would seem that any conversion kit that is sold without "a plate showing the manufacturer, the nominal voltage of the battery, and the motor’s power output" to attach to the bike renders the kit illegal instantly as the
EAPC requirements have not been met...

However, if you build your own kit from your own supplied parts and make your own plate to put on your bike showing this info, then the bike instantly falls into the legal category providing that you have ensured that it is restricted and the motor power is not too high.

1) Anyone disagree with me so far?
2) I wonder how many conversion kits are being shipped with plates currently? any retailer care to confirm that they are FULLY legal kits they are shipping out?

Without the plate or meeting any of the other criteria, the bike would need to be type approved, but as long as a self build meets the criteria it does not need to be type approved and is street legal.

3) The addition of a key switch onto the bike to derestrict it when taking it OFF road, would probably be permissible PROVIDING the key switch is in such a place as it is not accessible from the saddle while riding and could not cause controversy in the event of an accident. Anyone agree with this hypothesis?

James

 

[KirstinS]

3) no afraid not, there.is a specific no no to al such booster or derestrcit buttons/keys etc. No matter where located

 

[JamesW]

so what happens if you want to travel faster than that on private land but need to get there by road? is this a categorical NO? or can e.g. the controller be placed in a box with the plate on it and swapped for another derestricted controller in another box do you think?

 

[Kinninvie]

? or can e.g. the controller be placed in a box with the plate on it and swapped for another derestricted controller in another box do you think?

Thats possible but a pain in the butt to keep swapping out.

 

[JamesW]

not worried about pain in the butt, more worried about legalalities

 

[KTM Bike Industries UK]

so what happens if you want to travel faster than that on private land but need to get there by road? is this a categorical NO? or can e.g. the controller be placed in a box with the plate on it and swapped for another derestricted controller in another box do you think?

Hi James

Just as a matter of interest... Because as yet no one has been able to answer this question when trying to buy an sPedelex from us (hence we've not sold any)... In your case where is this private land you want to ride on and what's the point of riding on it? We're not picking holes we are genuinely interestedto know if anyone can actually find somewhere to use these bikes legally in the UK.

 

[JamesW]

Farmland - with the owners consent, or quite literally private land, some people have land areas big enough - not me, but some do!

You would be surprised at how hard The Electric Transport Shop were pushing SPedelecs to me in Jan when I was looking esp. one of yours!

 

[KTM Bike Industries UK]

I

Farmland - with the owners consent, or quite literally private land, some people have land areas big enough - not me, but some do!

You would be surprised at how hard The Electric Transport Shop were pushing SPedelecs to me in Jan when I was looking esp. one of yours!

Interesting because we wouldn't sell them one

We know all about using bikes on private land, I've raced enduro and ridden quite a bit of motocross.

It's just interesting to know what's going on. If you can let me know which of the stores was pushing the bike to you I'll ensure we send them some more information on their responsibilities as a Ktm dealer.

Many thanks for taking the time to answer my question.

 

[JamesW]

I was considering converting my folder (Mezzo D9) to electric - if I can do it for a reasonable price. Theoretically, if I am correct, all I would need would be a motor laced into a 16" rear wheel and the controls for the handle bars as I could put my current conversion kit in a bag (controller and battery) and make a connector that allows me to move between my 2 bikes - I can only sit on 1 at a time!

Looking for a 200W motor to fit into a 16" rear wheel seems to be problematic though.
I have found this kit which looks promising:
http://www.petrolscooter.co.uk/rear-wheel-e-bike-hub-motor-with-speed-controller-36v-250w.html
Assuming the motor will fit in my axle (trying to getting design dimensions to check this now).
If I add £25 for a halfords wheel build this looks like £130 + handlebar controls.

What does anyone think:
1) Is this reasonable.
2) Can I do better on the motor price for a rear hub motor at 250/200W 36V?
3) Is this a good idea?
4) Will this be road legal?

James

 

[patpatbut]

The kit you posted is not ideal. It will be very difficult to lace spokes on 16 wheel with this motor. The motor is just too big giving not much clearance to lace the spokes.
Also, it looks very heavy and not stealth. (correct me if I am wrong)

1) cheap but not ideal for folder like mezzo
2) If you can find a motor that spins around 330rpm at 36v that would be fine.
3) there is a sale forum about eMezzo so it is possible.
4) can't comment on it.

Pat

 

[JamesW]

Thanks for the feedback Pat. I had seen the forum, but as morphix has declined to answer my question about the kit he used I was thinking of trying to work it out.

Since I posted I did find another thread where I think I found that he mentioned he was <£100, willing to pay a little more if controller included, I will consider it, otherwise I will probably just dismiss it as a nice to have but not necessary.

James

 

[patpatbut]

For me, Q100 rear motor is a good for your case. Just double check the width of the rear axis which could fit the motor (135mm).

If you can have a look the bmsbattery website that would help you to decide what to get.

 

[JamesW]

I have, and $126 for the kit or $89 for the motor on its own looks possibly ok, but it really depends on the taxes, shipping and which dollars are being used, plus everything would have to work for me to be happy going this route!

 

[patpatbut]

I would buy the motor on its own as their 16 rims might be different diameter than the one Mezzo. That also saves quite a bit of shipping. Building wheel is not rocket science so you should be ok too.

If you have decided to get them maybe you can list them here we could help you to have a look