Got an old A2B ultra motor for free. Is it worth fixing?

flat tire said:
So believe it or not my setup

Powervelocity 18F sinewave controller: $180
Leaf 1500W rear hubmotor: $300
Domino Throttle: $100 MUST HAVE
1KWh high performance 18650 Battery: ~$600 (don't skip on battery you will regret)
Charger: $200
Cycle Analyst: $130 MUST HAVE
Click to expand...

topped out at 56 MPH...your salesman's world is quite different from what's achievable with DIY. So my battery was higher voltage--19S (80v peak, 70v nominal) even though the capacity wasn't super large at 800Wh. If you use a more common, lower voltage battery like 14S you can still do 40+ mph top and the maximum efficiency will be somewhere around 30 mph so perfect for cruising. That's the beauty of an efficient and powerful hubmotor like the Leaf paired with a powerful, efficient controller and powerful battery. Oh, and the torque from a stop? If you want to, you can program enough of it for power wheelies...:D.

Yes, it's true that ready made ebikes represent TERRIBLE value for money. Unless you're rich, you will not get the performance you want out of an ebike except if you build it yourself.

You basically need a new battery. If they're "rebuilding" it they're reusing the case and maybe the BMS. You can build a battery yourself, buy one from a member here, or buy a ready-made battery from a reputable site like ebikes.ca or lunacycle. One thing's for sure, put good name brand cells in it like Samsung 30Q or 25R and you'll be really happy. The cheaper the cells you put in the more voltage will sag under load, reducing your performance.
Click to expand...


Would one of these kits work ok to start out?

http://www.leafbike.com/products/diy-bike-conversion-kit/20-inch-electric-hub-motor-kit/c-13/page-1.html

Also where is the best place to buy a leaf motor? That site is the only one I've found so far.

I was just thinking that one of those kits would have everything I need to get going and I could possibly upgrade the controller and analyst later.
 
Jeffreynmandy said:
They want to sell me a new bike but I'd like something more custom as far as speed. The shop said it's $3,000 and up to buy a bike that goes faster than 28mph.
It seems like I'd come out a good ways ahead if I build this one for around $1500.
Click to expand...

You can go 28 mph with a $450 BBS02 mid drive, $300 52V Luna mini battery, and your choice of a beater donor bike, but only for about half an hour. A bigger battery would be needed for longer range.

Don't let the bike shop prices set the value. Fixing up your A2B or modding it into a speed beast is its reward. Bikes don't get flipped like houses.

Remember, you got it for free, and the motor probably works fine.
 
Yes, that's where I got my leaf motor from. Here's the link for the exact one I got:

http://www.leafbike.com/products/e-bike-hub-motor/gearless-20-24-26-700c-28-29-inch/newest-26-inch-48v-1500w-rear-hub-motor-wheel-991.html

Presumably your bike uses 26" wheels, but if those are 24" (I can't tell) you would want to pick the corresponding motor. They have all sizes on that site.
 
Why dont you just try that stock motor with 48/52 volts (13s) and see what 28 mph on a metro feels like.
You might not want to push that frame any faster !
48v can be tested easily with an external pack and no other mods to the controller or motor
You bike shop expert is a dik ! You could make a 20+ Ah pack to replace the stock 11.6 Ah one...but only on 36 v
 
Hillhater said:
Why dont you just try that stock motor with 48/52 volts (13s) and see what 28 mph on a metro feels like.
You might not want to push that frame any faster !
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I ran one of mine at 52v for about a year before I went with the external controller. I added a resistor in series with the key wire for the B battery to keep the relay coil happy. This worked out pretty well but if I ran it hard for more than an hour sometimes it would overheat enough to trip the thermostatic switch. Once that trips, it takes about 30 minutes to cool off enough to reset. I guess this can happen at 36v also.
 
Hillhater, IMO a bike that feels unsafe at 28 is a bike not worth riding at any speed. :D
 
If you replace the tires, it handles very nicely. I've had mine over 30mph and it feels solid. The stock tires aren't bad going straight, they are bad in corners.
 
fechter said:
If you replace the tires, it handles very nicely. I've had mine over 30mph and it feels solid. The stock tires aren't bad going straight, they are bad in corners.
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I'm researching tires right now also. Which ones did you go with? I'm thinking a moped tire would be best.
 
The ones I got were these:
https://www.amazon.com/SET-TWO-Tires-Front-Motorcycle/dp/B00QMJV9VM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1493062743&sr=8-5&keywords=tire+16+x+2.75
They also sell singles.

Later, I found this place that has better selection:
https://www.treatland.tv/SearchResults.asp?Search=2.75+x+16+tire

Can't guarantee a good fit without trying. You also need an industrial strength tire lever to mount them. With some lube, it's not too bad.
Tire lever: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pit-Posse-PP2064-9-Inch-Tire-Iron-Lever-Motorcycle-Tool-Tire-Remover-Lever-Pry-/201598826027?hash=item2ef039f62b:g:M8AAAOSwUKxYkhVk&vxp=mtr
 
It cleaned up well. I like the look of the frame myself. It seems like it would pretty nimble and quick with good tires and suspension.



Should I put torque arms on it also? I've seen some online, but this one doesn't have them.


 
flat tire said:
Hillhater, IMO a bike that feels unsafe at 28 is a bike not worth riding at any speed. :D
Click to expand...
Agreed, but i didnt mean its unsafe, just that it rides very different to a FS MTB or other full size Ebikes.
Whilst it is a quality built frame , rigid, with good components, etc, ( except the rear shock !)...it is heavy and strangely big for a 20" wheeld step thro bike, and has an erect riding geometry. It has several neat advantages like the secure internal battery, and the handy rear battery mount, but a few issues also like the overeager thermal motor cutout! And early models had a reputation for the swing arm cracking.
I got the impression the OP was wanting to speed this one up a fair amount, so before he spends $$$s on new components, a quick trial at 48-52 v using the existing parts will give him a feel for what to expect.
Lets just say if i was planning to build a bike for 30+ mph i would not start with a Metro frame.
 
Jeffreynmandy said:
Should I put torque arms on it also? I've seen some online, but this one doesn't have them.
Click to expand...

I certainly would put torque arms on that aluminum frame... There are some bolt on torque arm options sold in the for sale section. I'm using this one currently https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=69073
and also this one on anther bike https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=49635

flat tire forgot to mention the cost of a torque arm for a high powered set up.. Granted it's a small cost but it shouldn't be neglected, especially if you plan on utilizing regen
 
I would recommend torque arms. Those 9.5mm thick ones might be too thick though.

The ones I got were these:
https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=47855
Not sure if he has any left. They fit perfectly.

I got a pair and drilled and tapped a hole for the other side (stock A2B has only one).

If using the stock controller, a single one is probably good enough if you torque the axle nuts to the specified value.
 
fechter said:
I would recommend torque arms. Those 9.5mm thick ones might be too thick though.

The ones I got were these:
https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=47855
Not sure if he has any left. They fit perfectly.

I got a pair and drilled and tapped a hole for the other side (stock A2B has only one).

If using the stock controller, a single one is probably good enough if you torque the axle nuts to the specified value.
Click to expand...

wow, that's great. I haven't seen many frame-specific torque arms, with the thick ones you'd certainly have to use some washers and it wouldn't look as sleek. The one's fechter recommended look perfect for that bike
 
I messaged about the torque arms, but I don't think he has been on since October of last year. Maybe he'll answer.
 
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