Letting the cat out of the bag...........

[recumpence]

Here is one more step toward crank drive goodness.

This is a Maxx Products 6332 motor with a custom longer shaft. This shaft is 2 inches long beyond the edge of the can. The stock shaft was a bit too short. These new shafts also do not have the snap ring groove. That groove weakens the shaft right at the most critical point and introduces a stress riser there at the worst possible point. The pulley will have a small collar as a spacer to hold the shaft and motor bell from scooting out the back of the motor once assembled and installed.

This motor is $200 and are in stock pretty much all the time. So, I can obtain and ship these very quickly.

I will keep you posted as other parts of the new drive are finished.

Matt

[amberwolf]

The ring slots are why DayGlo Avenger's first successful friction drive ultimately failed, as the shaft of one motor snapped right there, just inboard of the bearing. So eliminating any of those is a really good idea on somethign that will see side-loading.

[deVries]

Devries are you planning on buying one of these?

Hey, long-time no see. You must be doing some cool projects yourself? Are you a recent beta-tester? (Please send me a PM about it. )

All depends on price & if I want this type of speed/acceleration for "X" bike. No demos or example set-ups are given yet, so I guess I'll have to wait & see. I think I'm looking for 25+mph though.

Matt, are you far enough along to let us know if this is a "this summer" May/June offering, or are we looking at September & beyond?

I'm in no rush, seriously, but would like an ETA or WAG if possible...

[MitchJi]

Hi Matt,

Inexpensive guards for the belt and chain would be nice:

[goodgnus]

Where does this project stand as far when version 1 will be available for purchase?

[stoney]

That chain guard (shroud) looks awesome. Did you fab that?

[deepfraught]

Bump for Spring to make sure you're not lost in that new shop or other fantastic builds going on

[stoney]

Did the cat run off?

[recumpence]

Nope, shop move, huge orders, and life got in the way. I have just begun some more work on this, however.

Matt

[recumpence]

Hey Guys,

A little update........

I am contracting my own motor for this drive. I have the entire drive designed and most of the parts are being drawn in CAD at the machineshop right now. I do not have a release date. But, I can tell you it is moving forward.

Sorry for how long this has taken. So many things have been going on. But, I am determined to release a problem free system.

Matt

[spinningmagnets]

But, I am determined to release a problem free system

As I'm sure you know, you will not regret this, in spite of delays. The recumpense name has become a brand worth protecting.

[MitchJi]

Hi Matt,

#4 The freewheeling crank. This is one thing I am really excited about! It will use a second support bearing to eliminate the overloaded freewheel bearing issue that is so common with freewheeling cranks. It will also use standard 130mm BCD chainrings for multiple ratio options. I am very excited to have come up with a solution to the FW crank bearing issue.

If these are ready maybe you could start selling them now as a stand-alone item? I'm sure this could be a big help with some builds and generate some cash flow.

#3 The drive unit will mount firmly to the bottom bracket bearing cups on each side with a simple strap holding it up to the bottom of the downtube. This system should fit 90%+ of the frames out there including some very odd styles. It will easily adapt to either 68mm or 73mm bottom brackets.

I think you should make this so it accommodates your current drives. It would be very useful for quite a few builds (decanio and mwkeefer for example). I'd also make it so that it could be easily used for mid-hub builds.

I am contracting my own motor for this drive.

For a low power system (up to about 2kw) I think you should consider using a modified geared hub. A little heavier than an RC Motor but built in 5:1 or 6:1 reduction and sensors. No additional reduction required would mean a much simpler and less expensive system.

Modified like this:
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=45245

[recumpence]

Mitch,

"Yes" on at least two out of three.

The mount system of the new drive will accomodate my existing drives.

Also, the freewheeling crank is the first item. That part is nearly finished with programming and the drive parts are programmed. It is moving along. I have a large OEM contract that I am working on. Once that is done, I will have the time and the resources (from the profit of that contract) to finally finish the crank drive.

As for geared hub motor, that will not happen right now. That is mainly for size and weight reasons.

Matt

[ls7corvete]

I think we are all excited to see progress

[mwkeefer]

+1 excited to see progress, could use a nicer (with bearing) alternative to this non-standard GNG junk freewheeling bottom bracket, also can't wait to see the new mount system using the bottom bracket !!

The motor Im excited for but weve seen how custom motor projects turn out in the past right?

Regards,
Mike

[recumpence]

Not sure about the custom motor comment. The custom motors I have had made (3230 and fan cooled 3220s) have all worked well. The fan cooled motors are made a few here and there. The big 3230 is still requested by customers. It is just very expensive to make. They all have worked well, though. As for the outrunner for the new crank drive, that is a motor that is based on a production motor that will merely have a different KV and different shaft. So, there are no production issues I can foresee.

The machinist called me the other day saying that he is programming the crank/sprocket spider with second support bearing. That is the first production part we will put into production (other than pulleys and other bits I already have in stock).

Matt

[waynebergman]

I have been leaning towards a hub mid drive for my next build but this system you are putting together looks really nice. I am assuming it will be a bit noisier than the hub mid drive but I think I can live with that. I like the light weight and small in size features you are shooting for. I am thinking of a full suspension bike that can climb steep hills for long climbs on the trail. Will this system have good slow speed control at the throttle and be easy enough to gear a 24" rear wheel to go very slow up steep hills for a long time? I am fine with a top speed of even 20mph but I would like the slow speed control and torque to be my main priority. If this system would work for this type of ride I would be very interested in buying the whole package including battery,contoller,mid drive complete with the motor you recomend. Good luck with this project I hope it turns out well. Wayne

[recumpence]

The one major benefit of running through the bike's drivetrain is the ability to change ratios. To a degree, that eliminates the partial throttle sensitivity of sensorless systems, because you can merely run a lower ratio for climbing.

I am moving forward on this system. It is slow going. But, it is moving forward.

Matt

[rscamp]

The one major benefit of running through the bike's drivetrain is the ability to change ratios. To a degree, that eliminates the partial throttle sensitivity of sensorless systems, because you can merely run a lower ratio for climbing.

I am moving forward on this system. It is slow going. But, it is moving forward.

Matt

Hmmm. Matt. This has me thinking about possibilities for next winter's project. In any way is there a possible "upgrade path" for those with existing "Schumaker" drives?