new ebike Road test update!
 

Well this may derail my ebike build plans but I picked this ebike up for $25.00. It was thrown from a trailer in a car accident. The frame, controls, brakes are good. However there is no battery and the rims are warped. I think the front rim can be tuned straight. The back rim is dented slightly and warped. The hub motor itself is fine. If the back wheel can't be trued I'll lace a new rim onto the hub motor. I've haven't decided whether to rebuild this bike or convert my trek to the hub motor.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i3...e/IMG_0243.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i3...e/IMG_0250.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i3...e/IMG_0251.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i3...e/IMG_0248.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i3...e/IMG_0244.jpg

Man what a find. That's outstanding and it looks cool:thumbup: You'll still come out way ahead even if you have to buy and lace another rim. Look forward to your process on this one. What kind of batteries when in the pack there?

Nice find!

I'd stick with that bike instead of transferring to the trek, You'll save yourself a lot of trouble. Especially with finding a place to hook up that torque-arm on the rear hub, the wiring, etc...

Wow, and it's even got a rear cassette on the hub motor. How many gears are on the back?

I found this. It might help spec the bike for you. :)

oops I forgot to mention the specs. Its a 24v with 400 watt hub motor. It has front and rear lights. It came stock with a 10ah pack. I guessing it had a about a 10 mile range. Specs say 14mph top speed but I think thats optimistic. I'll take it in tomorrow to see what my bike guys says about the rims. It has cruise control, horn, and economy mode.

Wow, I've been reading and some people are running 48volts through these motors. There using crystalite controllers but apparently the motors will hold up if used thoughtfully.

Today I took the rims to the bike shop guy. The rear rim is little over an 1/8" out with some flat spots. It should be ridable for the time being. If the PO had let a good bike mechanic straighten it, instead of hammering it out it would have been better off. The front rim trued perfect. He's one of the few guys around thats really good at truing rims. The rims are different spoke counts so If I want to replace the rear rim I'll have to buy one. Eww, thats a dirty word. Buy

Woohoo, I got it running tonight. I picked 4 12v 7.2ah batts for $12 each. I had to do some minor rewiring to make it all work. But it rides great. The rear wheel seems fine except I had to adjust the brakes loose to prevent scrubbing. I have pic but haven't loaded it yet. This heinzman hub motor is nice and torquey. It pulls the hills in my neighborhood with no fuss and no pedal assist. The top speed is about 14mph on motor only but I can live with that. I need to get a rack on it to run errands now.

What a deal! I was going to say what a steal, but didn't want you to think I was making accusations about getting a bike that "fell off the back of a truck" (or trailer). :P

Heinzman motor? I'm under the impression they're good quality, based on nothing but knowing a guy who bought one (and what kind of stuff he buys).

I'm jealous.

What voltage will the controller take?