Hiya All,
Here is where my rebuild is up to.
Spec as follows:
* Powabyke Xbyke step thru frame
* Suntour CR8 hard spring
* Magura HS11 rim brakes
* Mavic A119 rims, Deore hubs, Schwalbe Energiser + Tour tyres
* North road handlebars
* 8 speed drivetrain - SRAM X4/SX4
* 48v lights off Amazon - German approved
* SKS mudguards & chainguard
* Dutch frame lock
* Halfords pannier rack with diy longer stays from ally tube
* Suspension seatpost and Hypergrip pedals from Decathlon (not arrived yet)
* Tongsheng TDZ mid drive 500w from PSW
* 48v downtube battery - 14.5ah Samsung
Some of the parts were NOS bargains.
Anyway, pics of the build so far. Am awaiting the pedals arriving to be able to have a test ride. She does move though, albeit in walk assist mode ;D
Nearly finished - 2 by Isla..., on Flickr
I mounted the battery on the downtube a'la an old moped fuel tank and the jury is out on whether it's a good idea or not. It keeps some of the weight lower down than a rack battery and being a stiffer fork, am hoping it will okay and the step thru ability of the frame is maintained.
Nearly finished - 5 by Isla..., on Flickr
The Bafang cranks were a cheap upgrade that narrows the Q factor a touch, although the motor unit is still stightly off centre from the frame. This is frustrating as the chainline is a little harsh meaning that the 32tooth sprocket will be unusable. I understand that with the motor assist the lower gears may not see much use anyway although they may do if the battery runs flat. Have regrets here in not going for a Nexus hub... :/
Nearly finished - 6 by Isla..., on Flickr
Have wanted to try these brakes for an age as they have been gaining popularity on Dutch bikes in recent years. The rack is pictured without its stays as I had not made them when taking this picture last week. The ones Halfords supplied were too short so the rack would not sit level! The Dutch frame lock sits beneath the Maguras and is screwed into Rivnuts.
Nearly finished - 4 by Isla..., on Flickr
Despite wanting to tick the '250w legal' box, I eventually plumped for the 500w version of the Tongsheng motor from PSW. The lower current draw benefit & extra torque from running at 48v made my mind up in the end and it will stay speed limited to 25kph. It may look like a moped with the tank/battery but am not interested in going fast, just levelling out the hills to a certain extent. In any case am sure the higher end mainstream motors are potentially more powerful but speed restricted in a similar fashion so will not be losing much sleep over it.
Anyway moving on, the torque reaction mount on the rear of the motor did not want to go anywhere near the chainstays on the frame so I fabricated one from a tube nut, a slither of 1/8 plate and a set screw. Am pondering adding some more weld to where the set screw meets the tube nut but will have a test ride first.
Homebrew Torque Reaction mount - 1 by Isla..., on Flickr
Will add some more detail when its bikeworthy.
Am hoping the 8 gears can be made to work having read of peeps on here using the newer even wider range cassettes available so we will see. I even considered grinding the spare 4 or 5mm off the bottom bracket shell at one point to move it leftwards a bit, having done the same on a Raleigh Twenty once for other reasons, but as yet have resisted and put the angle grinder away ;D
Here is where my rebuild is up to.
Spec as follows:
* Powabyke Xbyke step thru frame
* Suntour CR8 hard spring
* Magura HS11 rim brakes
* Mavic A119 rims, Deore hubs, Schwalbe Energiser + Tour tyres
* North road handlebars
* 8 speed drivetrain - SRAM X4/SX4
* 48v lights off Amazon - German approved
* SKS mudguards & chainguard
* Dutch frame lock
* Halfords pannier rack with diy longer stays from ally tube
* Suspension seatpost and Hypergrip pedals from Decathlon (not arrived yet)
* Tongsheng TDZ mid drive 500w from PSW
* 48v downtube battery - 14.5ah Samsung
Some of the parts were NOS bargains.
Anyway, pics of the build so far. Am awaiting the pedals arriving to be able to have a test ride. She does move though, albeit in walk assist mode ;D
Nearly finished - 2 by Isla..., on FlickrI mounted the battery on the downtube a'la an old moped fuel tank and the jury is out on whether it's a good idea or not. It keeps some of the weight lower down than a rack battery and being a stiffer fork, am hoping it will okay and the step thru ability of the frame is maintained.
Nearly finished - 5 by Isla..., on FlickrThe Bafang cranks were a cheap upgrade that narrows the Q factor a touch, although the motor unit is still stightly off centre from the frame. This is frustrating as the chainline is a little harsh meaning that the 32tooth sprocket will be unusable. I understand that with the motor assist the lower gears may not see much use anyway although they may do if the battery runs flat. Have regrets here in not going for a Nexus hub... :/
Nearly finished - 6 by Isla..., on FlickrHave wanted to try these brakes for an age as they have been gaining popularity on Dutch bikes in recent years. The rack is pictured without its stays as I had not made them when taking this picture last week. The ones Halfords supplied were too short so the rack would not sit level! The Dutch frame lock sits beneath the Maguras and is screwed into Rivnuts.
Nearly finished - 4 by Isla..., on FlickrDespite wanting to tick the '250w legal' box, I eventually plumped for the 500w version of the Tongsheng motor from PSW. The lower current draw benefit & extra torque from running at 48v made my mind up in the end and it will stay speed limited to 25kph. It may look like a moped with the tank/battery but am not interested in going fast, just levelling out the hills to a certain extent. In any case am sure the higher end mainstream motors are potentially more powerful but speed restricted in a similar fashion so will not be losing much sleep over it.
Anyway moving on, the torque reaction mount on the rear of the motor did not want to go anywhere near the chainstays on the frame so I fabricated one from a tube nut, a slither of 1/8 plate and a set screw. Am pondering adding some more weld to where the set screw meets the tube nut but will have a test ride first.
Homebrew Torque Reaction mount - 1 by Isla..., on FlickrWill add some more detail when its bikeworthy.
Am hoping the 8 gears can be made to work having read of peeps on here using the newer even wider range cassettes available so we will see. I even considered grinding the spare 4 or 5mm off the bottom bracket shell at one point to move it leftwards a bit, having done the same on a Raleigh Twenty once for other reasons, but as yet have resisted and put the angle grinder away ;D
Woohoo it's done!
Ebike at Woodhead tunnels
We have lights!
