Front hub motors

[Rod]

On the first delta trike I built I used a headtube from a bicycle and a 200 watt 36 volt hub motor, by the time it had 500 miles on it the headtube bearings desinagrated. I dont know if this will happen to a 2 wheeler or if it was because of the weight of the trike, 60 lbs empty + 30 lbs of sla batteries. I redesigned the headtube with 3/4" industrial bearings and a tripple tower system.
The trike is a recumbent with rear 700c wheels and 26" front wheel.

 

[dogman dan]

Sounds to me like a defect in the bearings that fell apart, or something else, like they were loose or contamainated. I have 1700 miles on the cheapest possible bike with no problems. The bike weighs 70 lbs and has a front hub. I ride hard and fast enough to get air, but I do have a shock fork.