This is what I have seen as well. But many of them have a 7s freewheel, which fills up a lot of the 135mm of width. I don't have much experience with ebike hubs, but the other freewheel hubs I have seen have a spacer on the axle so that the lock nuts stick out of the freewheel. (As in the attached pic.) If I put a single speed freewheel on there, could I remove some spacers and skinny up the overall length? Get it closer to 110?I bought a FRONT hub motor, already built up into a 26" 559 wheel, for a vintage bike conversion project. It was 100mm OLD, requiring some fork bending, but nothing that seemed excessive to me. I didn't find any rear hub motors that were narrow enough, especially since there was no provision for rim brakes on the machine I was working on.
The rear hub motors I was finding generally had provision for either cassette or freewheel on right side and disk on left, and started at around 135mm OLD.
I see what you are saying, and it seems like a good possibility. The freewheel end of this MXUS XF08 does look like perhaps there is a spacer secured with a locknut.This is what I have seen as well. But many of them have a 7s freewheel, which fills up a lot of the 135mm of width. I don't have much experience with ebike hubs, but the other freewheel hubs I have seen have a spacer on the axle so that the lock nuts stick out of the freewheel. (As in the attached pic.) If I put a single speed freewheel on there, could I remove some spacers and skinny up the overall length? Get it closer to 110?
Not sure how viable this idea is, either mechanically, or electrically, since it would likely require the hub to operate in reverse.
Perhaps, if there is somebody dealing in e-bikes in your area, you could get some condemned hubs to investigate? I understand that replacing deceased hub motors is a pretty regular event in the e-bike world.
I guess that some of the lower end hub motors are indeed simple two terminal brushed motors.I'm sort of warming up to the idea of using a front hub. I think I have read about that elsewhere. You either need to find a compatible cover that has the freewheel threads on it or make an adapter and use the disc brake holes, and then run it in reverse. It's a DC motor, you can just reverse the +-, right?
I stopped by the local eBike store today and they did not have any good 110mm options for me. They said they would convert my bike for ~$1400. They won't sell me the parts to do it myself. eBikes are crazy popular around here and I think they are having trouble keeping up with demand, so I totally get why they don't want to put a ton of effort into a one-off job like mine.
This is good information! I guess I figured it was more complicated than just reversing + and -. Oh well.If you aren't dedicated to the idea of converting a vintage bicycle, I'm thinking that one can actually get up and running for less money, and definitely less effort, by taking advantage of sales as manufacturers adapt to the emerging market. For example, when RAD discontinued their RadMission model last spring, they offered them up for $499, complete, with some assembly required. I seriously considered buying one, but the single speed hub put me off. Still, with its front and rear disc brakes, 500w motor, and lithium battery, that's a lot of stuff for the money, and they threw a bike in as well. Apparently other people thought so as well, as they sold out in about 5 days.
https://www.engadget.com/rad-power-bikes-radmission-electric-bicycle-review-120020625.html
Good find! This looks like just what you are looking for. Unlacing wheels and relacing to a new rim is a tried and true method of modifying the performance of a motor. For example, to violate the software imposed speed limit, lace the motor from a smaller wheel to a larger rim. (I know this isn't what you are going for here.)Here's a kit that says it is for BMX and the spacing is specifically called out as 110mm. I am thinking I could buy this kit and lace the hub into my own rim. Does anyone have any experience with Leafbike?
This guy talks about building and riding that rig on U-tube:Ok this is interesting. I'm attracted to the chain drive but simultaneously repulsed by sprocket that clamps onto the spokes.
https://www.amazon.com/Newest-Electric-Conversion-Bicycle-Sprocket/dp/B0733CNV25?th=1
You can find 120mm rear drop out kits and either cold bend the rear, or just sort of wedge it in there. The only ones I've found are kinda stupid expensive unfortunatelyHey everyone. Has anyone put a rear ebike motor into a frame with 110mm spacing? I want to electrify my Heavy Duti and I'm looking for a rear hub that will fit the frame. Has anyone done this yet?
I guess that some of the lower end hub motors are indeed simple two terminal brushed motors.
But more sophisticated bike hub motors use brushless 3 phase motors.
View attachment 222081
This allows much more control, better efficiency and longer life, with no brushes to wear out. This video describes the basic concept:
DC is chopped and pulsed into the 3 phases under control of the dedicated controller. The controller does the magic, including the speed control function. I'm not sure how reversing the direction of a brushless motor would be done, but I imagine it's done in the controller software. Here's wiring of a typical controller.
View attachment 222082
Wowser E-Howser, Axeman... Where did you score these fine drawings & photos? I wanna save these to the Mechanics folder on hd, but has a wee bit of jonque happening here instead. Going to the site you found them might be mo beta. Thank you much.
Brushed motor controllers will be simpler. Here's an example of a brushed motor controller:
View attachment 222083
It's still a lot of wiring to sort out. You'll want to make sure that the components you choose are compatible and will give you the result you expect.
E-bikes are definitely up and coming. I went with a front wheel kit (for front installation) to keep things simple for my first conversion, but it's actually been sitting on a shelf as other projects keep popping up.
If you aren't dedicated to the idea of converting a vintage bicycle, I'm thinking that one can actually get up and running for less money, and definitely less effort, by taking advantage of sales as manufacturers adapt to the emerging market. For example, when RAD discontinued their RadMission model last spring, they offered them up for $499, complete, with some assembly required. I seriously considered buying one, but the single speed hub put me off. Still, with its front and rear disc brakes, 500w motor, and lithium battery, that's a lot of stuff for the money, and they threw a bike in as well. Apparently other people thought so as well, as they sold out in about 5 days.
https://www.engadget.com/rad-power-bikes-radmission-electric-bicycle-review-120020625.html
The lithium batteries are not cheap, that's for sure.I too are still looking at electric options for my big cruiser, but just a plain brushless motor driving a chain, so far my biggest hurdle is the cost of batteries.
Enter your email address to join: