Suspension fork on an ebike
 

I have an ebike with 22" rims. It is about 3 years old and the front suspension is starting to feel like it needs some help. Before I take it apart, can someone tell me what makes it go boing boing? Is it a spring (mechanical) or some kind of piston (hydraulic or pneumatic)? My guess is that it is a mechanical action (maybe only slightly more durable than a slinky) and that some kind of piston is likely to make it more comfortable (there is no rear suspension).

I will be experimenting with a chain driven system in the rear of the bike so would like to put a geared hub up front so serve as a backup, in something goes wrong with the project. I know that with bikes, suspension forks and motors set off alarms, although I have read posts of people who have done this successfully. The front is all steel - I would even be willing to buy a fork made of chromoly as an added measure of safety.

So, 2 questions: 1. How can I improve the front suspension on the bike

2.what kind of precautions should I take if I am installing a 500 watt 48 v geared hub motor on the front?

I think most forks use a spring system and plastic guides for alignment. In many cases the springs wear loosing tension and the plastic guides wear and allow the fork to wobble, vibrate and have poor control. Most of the springs can be adjusted to increase tension so you could look for an adjustment bolt. This will offset some of the wear in the spring and will acomidate a heavier rider. IF you know someone with a lathe they can make new plastic guide pistons for you to re-tighten the fork. I believe there are true shock forks usng hydraulics but that would be at the uper end of bikes. And I've never heard of and using straight pneumatic.

About the only thing you can do for a 500w front hub is install a good torque arm and pray. But if you want a rear chain drive why do you think you also need a front hub as a back up? IF you really feel you need a backup setup then install twin chain motors. I did one with twin chain driven motors that were totally independent other the the final chain.

Bob

Do you have pictures of your twin chain driven setup? I was thinking that using another form of technology for the second motor would improve my chances of having one good motor at any time. Also, so much of the weight on this bike is leaning to the rear of the bike, I am trying to find ways to shift some upfront. I will mount my batteries under the floor panel - have found a way to squeeze 30 amps in there by only raising the floor panel about 2". That will help keep the cog low. Do you feel there is really that much concern about putting the hub upfront?