torque arm is a moot point for the moment. the hs3540 has been grounded:
last night, near the top of the long hill (thankfully), i heard grinding and lost power.
I was late, and it was raining, and no problems were obvious, so pedaled it home, and investigated later that night:
[youtube]4kflDtZFurY[/youtube]
initial diagnostics:
- i first suspected toasted fets in the controller, but heard same noises after hooking up my identical spare controller
- i then hooked up my old 9x7 9C w/ recently replaced spokes, and Zing!
so i spent 45 min swapping the motors. w/ 9C, i always hate removing hall connector to slide on new torque arms, nuts, etc, so i was happy that my new disk side torque arm has that thin slot where i can slide the motor wires though.

and while we know it's not clamping, it'll at least keep it from dropping out.
minor downside: no rear brake.

i guess i can try to fit Vbrakes again, cause existing 9C cover plate screw holes are stripped..
still, i'd rather ride (slowly) to work than take the metro.
i didn't dare pop off the hs3540 side cover to examine it until i research how to avoid damaging the wires there. tips, anyone? or non-issue? bets on the problem? halls? short? smoked?
the next time this motor spins, it might be in a fat 24" wheel.
and now, just for entertainment: the vimeo video,
MAN LIVING ON A BIKE