Dahon Jetstream Conversion

[Aldby]

Hi,
I am new to endless sphere
I want to fit a motor to a Dahon folding bike and would like some advice and recomendations as to the best motor, battery, controller for this project. I would like to acheive low weight, maximum performance and reasonable cost.
It looks like I am going to opt for a TongXin motor and controller, as used by Frank on his excellent kit bike, haven't fully decided on the other components yet.
This may sound wacky, but I am thinking of carrying a battery, weighing under 4Kg, in a small rucksak / backpack on my back whilst riding, with a telephone cable style connection lead exiting the back pack and connecting to a socket mounted under the saddle. That way the battery is removed from the bike when I get off and doesn't require any sort of permanent fixture or brackets on the bike.
Has anybody tried this?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24473924@N03/2318785628/

John :wink:

 

[ngocthach1130]

is that the old jetstream xp or the new jetstream p8? Where are you located and how much did you get it for. I searched for dealer near by but no one sell it over here in the States. At the same time i notice the bike is pretty expensive. One website have the new 2008 Jetstream p8 at the price of $875. That's too much. Great idea on the Dahon though. That look like a sweet bike.

 

[Aldby]

Hi ngocthach1130,
The bike is a Jetstream P8 which I bought used here in England for £325 ($650). It was a good buy, they cost new at least $1000 here, and mine had only been ridden for about 50 miles.
I also have a Kalkhoff Agattu with a wave frame that cost £1195 new ($2390) and a Wisper Works 905se I paid £800 ($1600). I ordered another Kalkhoff Agattu with a diamond frame back in January for £1145 ($2290), but that won't be delivered until April.
Electric bikes are very expensive in Europe, but I have been buying and selling on then on eBay for 9 months and have made enough to cover most of my costs. I started with a Giant Lafree and have bought 19 and sold 17.

Kalkhoff Agattu Wave frame http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2029/2320616430_b7e455d459_m.jpg
Wisper Works 905se http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/2320601934_a4e918906f_m.jpg
Kalkhoff Agattu Diamond frame http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2107/2320622170_c77c235d2a_m.jpg

John

 

[deecanio]

Hi John,

welcome to the forum!!
The battery and motor would depend on what you need to achieve as far as range and performance are concerned.
I initially wanted to use the same idea of haveing the batts ina backpack but being as mine are 10lbs each it was a little heavy to carry around plus there is the concern that should you fall the batt could damage your back.
Another down side to this is the connection to the controller - i couldn't find any decent way of powering up and having a rip cord that would disconnect should you and the bike part company .
With a folder it may well be more viable as you wouldn't need to carry too much weight or size in batts but you still have the problem of coming off and being connected to the bike?
Will be interesting to see what you come up with but in my experience the batts are best on the bike in case you need to "bail".

Anyway welcome - and i'm sure you'll find the solution here on the forum!!!


Cheers


D