Need Help!!! Building Electric Bike!!!
 

Hi everyone,

I've been wanting to build an electric bike for quite some time, but I just don't know what starting materials that I will need...or the tools that I will even need to construct this monster.

I want a bike that can go atleast 25 m.ph. and can travel a distance of 10-12 miles on a single charge.
This is the easy part knowing what I want, but I still haven't even figured out how many speeds my bike should have to achieve this speed. If anyone has made one from scratch that is efficient and not too expensive(over $200) I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Any suggestions and advice that will help me embark on this project will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
jay

Are you planning on building the entire bike from scratch?
What type of drive mechanics do you plan on using?
Are you looking for cargo carrying capabilities?
What are you capable of building?

I'd suggest going scavenger if you are looking to go as cheap as possible.
I'd start looking for a motor that is suitable 1st.
Try looking at flea markets, resale shops & garage sales for something that has an electric motor.
Take a walk around on trash day & just maybe someone will be tossing something useful like an old bike or bench grinder. I'm not suggesting going through peoples trash , but if you spot something that may be useful, grab it up. Craigslist also has listings for free stuff.

See what you can get for cheap or even free. Then when your looking deeply into the heart of your junk pile, inspiration may strike.

You can't even buy a decent non-electric bike for $200. You will have to do a lot of engineering and scrounging. Start looking at what others have come up with in the past. Hub motors, which is what most have used are beyond your budget and so are most batteries so it will be a challenge. Good luck.

It can be done if you have access to a welder & have the mechanical skills. Like I posted before, if you can scavenge a motor, sprockets, & other materials for next to nothing & you have the skills to assemble them properly it is possible.

SLA batteries are relatively cheap but heavy & have poor performance overall however with your limited budget I see no other alternative.

Building your E-lec. SCOOT
 

SLA are ther most easy to get batteries..they have the best Power--off the line..
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My design is going to be lightweight..so far my first FRAME-design is coming in at about $$40.00(USD)/
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I need to figure the FRONT FORK...assembly...
I have great rear brake set to work easily..
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I might have to use a CHAIN DRIVE..no real problem..
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Today I was working on the aero-dynamic design...
I was wondering about the strength..and the SEAT...
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I figure I can create a FRAME--that is the Battery Compartment..for SLA..48-volts..
I want 1000-watts of power..
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I've been looking at Gas Powered Scooter's for TIRES/Wheel combinations..
these are the nicest looking parts...Disc Brakes..
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What I have come up with is a Hollow Design..
..which has the most strategic..re-inforcement...maintaining..Hollow-ness..
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I figure aluminum...BLOCKS...in a TEE-form...useing perpendicular..stiff frame design...
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Basically..a seat..that has the rider...perched..lightly...
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More like a standing scooter...but finding the MOPED--dimensions for HEIGHT...
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I actaully hope for no more than 25-MPH/...
my current Scooter..operates at near 6-MPH...sometimes I punch it for 15-MPH...
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I know I can build this scooter..
1000-watts..
48-volts..
Lightweight..
REAR BRAKE..
4 X 12volt Battery's...
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Much larger tires then you see on the consumer models..I use a 12.5 X 3 TIRE...
I want larger than that...
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I'm more into BATT-separation...
I'll install 4-PORTS...
..each at 12-volts charging...6-amps..
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I hope to start next month...
I'll keep a LOG..of Pictures...
and POST..some stuff/[end]

My elec bike story
 

I started putting my e bike together 3 years ago. I am cheep so I went with the most inexpensive equipment I could find. I bought a diamondback ascentx mountain bike at a rummage for $50. I bought a goldenmotor kit for $280 and 3 12 amp hour sla batteries for $90. The kit arrived with a broken wire on the motor cable, which I fixed myself rather than send it back. A hall sensor failed (they are in the motor and are used to measure motor speed). I replaced that as well. You can find a description of how to do that on the web if you are interested. You will also need to purchase or make a torque arm to keep the motor from twisting out of the drop outs. Tools needed are normal things you would use maintaining a bike. Wrenches, screwdrivers. Good luck.