Well, that was embarrassing

But could of been a lot worse! I could have a BIG FAT ticket to pay!

I made a quick run to the store for some TP before anyone else woke up this morning. On my way back home from the corner store, a cop gets on his loud speaker telling me I need a helmet! I'm thinking NO I DON'T, I'M 50 YEARS OLD, ONLY KIDS NEED THEM! This is electric, not a gas bike!

So I looked it up. I guess I do if I'm going over 20mph! Hahaha, yeah, like I'm only going to go 20mph on these busy streets with all these text idiots! I don't like the idea of getting run over by somebody not paying attention to the road! If anything I need to go faster than the BBSHD will let me go to stay safe!

So today I'll be hooking back up my speedometer, (the bike goes a little faster without it) and next week get a helmet! Yeah, it sucks, but it's better than getting Rodney Kinged by the local police with roid rage!

 

 

 

Project Recovery / MXUS To The Rescue!

I posted about the next project I want to get going before this Christmas a few days ago. Then I found out how expensive it would be to use the reasonably priced Bafang motors I wanted when I added shipping! It doubled the motor price and made the project as expensive as a BBSHD build! Forget that! I deleted the post! This project has been like a roller coaster ride from the start! On again, off again!

 First contestant for The Price Is Right ebike will be the Sixthreezero "Ride In The Park" model 7 speed bike. I loved my Schwinn when I had it, (first bike I was going to use for this project) but this bike is at least 3x better at only 2x the price! A great deal weather you make it electric or just keep it pedal powered!

 So, I'm not one to give up on a great project idea that easy! This was the first ebike I wanted to build a few years ago, but I was sent the wrong motor from the supplier and I haven't got back to it until last weekend. I have the mind to do it, and it's going to be a GREAT bike! I've improved on my original idea of a 500w geared rear drive classic styled commuter bike to add an optional 500w geared front motor making it 2wd 1000w! This is something that can be added on at a future date when you get bored with only 500w rear drive bike. Boredom does happen with small motors, and you wouldn't have to go out and buy another bike! Just add another motor to the one you already have! You're already saving money when you buy one of these!

Stole this photo from on line of the 500w front motors. Just a little larger than a typical bicycle drum break. The basic idea is that even with the 2wd version, it would be hard to tell the bike is electric. At least until you pass someone in the bike lane effortlessly, who's killing themselves to do 28mph! I would never build a bike with only front motor! They break and people fly over bars and eat the ground! I don't have a sister who's a lawyer, or a brother who writes insurance indemnity packages, so forget about it! The front motor is only available on bikes that have a rear motor for extra power and all weather traction!

Now I get to the point! Mxus motors are what I'll be using! Forget about Bafang! No need for a middle man to make a bike intended to be affordable with a reasonable amount of power impossibly expensive! That's what every other company you see in the bike stores are doing! I could be wrong, but I believe that Mxus was the company making these motors for Bafang in the first place. Mxus has been around for a long time and is known for making motors for other companies to be rebranded. It's only recently they started selling them under their own Mxus name with the 3000w motor, but that's another bike story, and a 2wd bike I want to have going for next years Christmas season!

 Another photo of the Sixthreezero Men's "Ride In The Park" 7 speed bike. I LOVE this bike! "It takes me back to simpler times, before the Empire" Obi-wan Kenobi quote. One thing I want to change, and I may leave it as an upgrade option, is the brakes. I like the ones on this bike, but an easier quick release version would be better for when you get a flat tire. The Kenda tires are nice, but I'm also considering upgrades for them, and puncture resistant tubes as stock parts added to the ebike versions of this bike.

I'm still researching what seller to buy from. This could take some time. Some sellers offer it only in black, while others offer it in black or silver. I need both for different model bikes! Some sellers also offer complete package kit deals, and others just the motor. I have quite a bit to sort out for production suppliers, but for the first two motors I'll just pick what looks like a good one and drop the dime to get the project rolling. I'll try to place an order tomorrow at least for the rear motor. 

I think sometimes, or most of the time, people don't realize how much time and money goes into R&D. Personally I've spent thousands over the past couple years just on research & development for the bikes the company I work for builds. Some of those bikes have changed, and my research is no longer valid. Without a doubt, it's been a roller coaster ride the past couple of years!

You Know This Had To Hurt!

Saving This Here For Later MXUS V3 Turbo

I just spent quite a bit of time looking for a local (USA) supplier for the Mxus motor. Ain't one! 

As far as I can tell, this is the manufacturer. At least that is what they claim on Alibaba.

https://ebikemotor.en.alibaba.com/product/60442997729-211887367/2016_new_hot_sell_MXUS_3000w_V3_turbo_motor.html#!

Next Project Bike? 3Kw Mxus? Yeah, I Think So!

For the simple reason that the drop out space required is only 140mm with the Mxus 3Kw rear hub motor.

C&D photo does not mean that I'll be buying from them.

Other options require 150mm spacing. That's not an option if I want to keep using the Sixthreezero In The Barrel cruiser bikes. The 7 speed version has 135mm clearance in it's steel frame. Easy cheat with the proper tool 2.5mm per side. 

To disk break or not? I won't be using a rim break since I'll be using a motorcycle rim and tire. 

Rear Break Options:

1. Just use the regen brake. Plus = I's cheaper than anything else I can do. Minus = I don't have hills to get the most out of it.

2. Make a caliper bracket out of the custom axle brace I'll need to make anyway to use rear disk. Plus = not much more work than I already have to go threw making a custom axle torque brace for this model bike anyway. Would also be a better option for a fast street bike used for commuting in traffic. Minus = Can't really think of any except for more work in designing and building axle torque brace.

So I'm standing around at the bike warehouse today, looking at the 3Kw Cyclone project, wanting to get back at it, and I've been wanting to build a 2wd 3Kw Mxus bike for a while now. For a moment the thought interred my mind to put the Mxus motor behind the Cyclone! I may try it, but the drop out clearance is all wrong for the 3 speed bike I'm using for the Cyclone. Better off using one of the 7 speeds I have in storage for the 135mm clearance. Then one day make it into a 2wd 6Kw monster! 

The way I see it, the 3Kw Cyclone has too many problems to be paired up with a Mxus rear hub motor. First is the sprocket bearing. Right off, plan on spending another $125 from SBP for one that lasts. Then the controller. You already payed for one that won't do what yo want it to do, and have to spend another $200 - $300 for one that will make the motor do what you want. PITA if you ask me!

 For a fast 45MPH street bike I see no reason to deal with the Cyclone drive train issues. I'll be putting a lot of miles on mine this winter and spring with only a 14S9P battery. Next summer when business is good again, I'm thinking I'll upgrade the controller and double up on the battery in series for 104V to make it scream a bit. As I'm playing with that, I'll order the Mxus 3Kw hub motor and install it on a 7 speed ITB bike. I'll be able to use the doubled up 52V batteries in series for either bike, so no extra out of pocket costs on that. 

Which bike will be the first to get over 60MPH is the question?

Mxus will be the V3 version with thicker wires. Well worth the extra $55 in my opinion!

What Range Does This Bike Get Per Charge?

Great video! Much better explanation than I've given in the past. I get too technical. This guy just drops a F-Bomb when talking about rip off sales people and puts the info on the table! Gotta love it!

https://youtu.be/CClSXHojHsY

Thank God That Move Is Finally Over!!!

It's like I've been moving all summer. Now that the busy bike sales season is over, so is the move! It took forever just to find a place, but we are finally in our new home!

In the next few weeks I'll be organizing stuff to get up to speed for the dead bike sales season, and for next summer when things pick up again. I have five 1000W BBSHD ebikes to build for customers in that time. Hopefully more orders will come in. I always figured that the ebike builds would take up some slack in the bike mechanic business during the winter months. 

I had hoped to get the ebike business rolling this summer, but the move sort of screwed that up. Next summer will be brilliant! I'll have more bike models with more powerful motors and batteries available! Next bike season should be a lot of FUN! The year after that, I should have another shop to work out of! Yeahhhh!!!!

It's funny how such a small thing as moving can easily take two years time out of your life's plans for starting a business. I'm so happy to be out of the old place, even though it was bigger!

I will have some photo's up by tomorrow night. I have a bunch of bikes built and ready to sell, but have not had the time to post them. Late Labor Day Sale at less than 50% off brand new bikes!