Giant Lafree Motor overhaul

[Richard Croft]

Hi Folks. Ten years ago I managed to get a replacement motor unit for the Lafree. Three weeks ago I fitted it !!! The bike is back on the road....

I wondered if the old unit with suspected speed controller difficulties could be restored..

 

[Nealh]

Wow, forward planning. Well done.

 

[Richard Croft]

Wow, forward planning. Well done.

Ermmmmm it failed ten years ago and has been sat at the back of the house

 

[Nealh]

What took you so long then, with a spare motor at hand ?

 

[flecc]

I wondered if the old unit with suspected speed controller difficulties could be restored..

It's never been possible I'm afraid, Panasonic's policy has only been repair by replacement.

Accordingly they's never made any motor unit spares available and the internal circuit board is heavily encapsulated and sealed into the R/H crankcase half so components not accessible.

If the speed controller difficulty you mention consists of running only in Eco power, that was a known fault in some batches and Panasonic only replaced those units, never repaired them.
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[Richard Croft]

Wow, forward planning. Well done.

 

[Richard Croft]

Thanks. What happens was I left the bike outside in the -20 winter if 2010!! the switch stooped working so I fitted a new one . The motor would only run on low power and not pick up. So I suspected a damaged controller. Anyway the new motor (I got it new for £150) is running fine with the replacement switch. I’ve bought a Lafree on eBay so I can swop parts and do a full restoration. Then build a customised Lafree with what’s left and my collection of unused components! Watch this space.

 

[flecc]

I’ve bought a Lafree on eBay so I can swop parts and do a full restoration. Then build a customised Lafree with what’s left and my collection of unused components! Watch this space.

Another member did similar with three failed Giant Lafree's back in 2014. He ended up with two fully working and the rest of the bits built back into one which was donated to a bicycle museum.
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[Richard Croft]

Wow, forward planning. Well done.

 

[Richard Croft]

So now I there were three (and a dud motor). So I have my eccentric Langdale cruiser .

A fully restored completely original Lafree Medium Framed classic.

A ladies Medium older death throws high spec model with drum brakes dynamo hub and strange two tone colour scheme . Four Speed hub. (destined a s a companion for the cruisers).

At some stage I'll work out how to load images.

Thought process is then how to Jury rig a speed controller to the old motor.

Regards

 

[flecc]

Thought process is then how to Jury rig a speed controller to the old motor.

David Henshaw, editor of A to B magazine did this with a Lafree and published the article in one edition of his magazine long ago.
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