Low Rider Build

[onemanmob]

Hey Guys, just trying to keep a running update on my low rider build to stay motivated and have a set goal so when free time comes around I have something to aim for.

to anyone interested: here is my original post: http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=57134

My goal is something loosely similar to this:

Things I think I know:
due to feedback I've opted for a bigger 26in frame I got off of craigslist:

this will be a daily rider but I only live 4 miles from work on fairly flat roads, so it doesn't really need to be super efficient. I wouldn't mind having more power/range for s and g's.
obvious limitations would be the spoke count on the wheels.
No twisted chrome will touch this bike, it looks trashy at best.
I would also like to try my best to have the ebike components look as integrated as possible. My biggest fear with this decision is that it could limit my access to quality components.
I would like to go with the Magic Pie 3 motor for this bike (through https://www.goldenmotor.ca/ of course) mainly for the integrated controller and having one less piece to strap to the frame.

Things I think I don't know:
As for the battery I have been eye balling the "bottle" type battery packs, my main issue with them is that I have no clue if they are made with decent cells or electronics. I wouldn't mind purchasing from amped bikes, but they only sell the lithium battery in a kit :/

Things I think I don't know I don't know:
?

anyway if you have feedback please post! I'll update this space any time I have some development on my journey into the ebike world.

 

[The fingers]

Looks like my cruzer, except it's a step through and has a front basket. 8)

 

[onemanmob]

Nice! I've been trying to get started, but work needs to calm down before I can really get into it. So I'll order parts, and break down the bike a little at a time so it can be repainted and dressed proper.

 

[footloose]

Hi onemanmob,

I love the frame, reminds me of favorite old Schwinn I had as a kid.
And personally I like really upright riding position, thanks to my funky old back.

Lots of options in building this bike.
But battery choice is really the core decision in build, and smaller is visually nicer.
You can always go with LiCo for size, but opinions vary on safety there.
I'm just completing a short-range commuter, designed to do 10-12 mile roundtrip.
Wanted to build a "just enough" config, so ordered a custom battery from EM3ev.com: 14S, 3P built of Samsung 20R cells.
Believe it will give me adequate amps for peak power on flatlands, adequate Ah for commute distance, adequate V for good top speed.
Paul has very similar stock batteries (http://em3ev.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=35&product_id=161).

Anyway, just a thought.

 

[onemanmob]

thanks for the feedback footloose! I was considering contacting cell-man about it, but his packs look too modern for what I am trying to accomplish. The bottle battery I'm looking for looks like this:

**I'm not advocating for any site just found an image that fit the bill on google search and linked **

It doesn't seem to be sold by anyone reputable and there also doesn't seem to be any information on what cells are used in the pack. I can't even find an empty one for sale so I can make my own pack to drop in.

I could probably fabricate one that looks similar, but it would require more knowledge then I have (and really time needed to make it...) or request a lot of favors from people at work, then I look like a mooch.

 

[The fingers]

I couldn't put a bottle battery where my cage mount is (on the lower frame tube) because it's a girl's bike. I'd have to use hose clamps or something similar to mount it to the top frame tube, or put one on each side for a double barrel look. So far I'm ok with using the rear rack. The low speed handling suffers somewhat, but I can wheelstand it myself to maneuver it in and out of the garage with the car in there. :|

 

[dogman dan]

I'm not sure how many spokes you could cram into a typical dd motor hub. But it looks to me like it would be fairly simple to drill more holes in both rim and motor, and double the spoke count. It won't look the same, but close.

Same should be possible on the front rim.

You will have to hunt down a no paint motor, or strip and polish one. You might be able to find at least some old 9c covers that are silver.

Bananna seat and springer fork, and bars will be easy to find on fleabay. I'd try to hide that bottle battery under the banana seat. Maybe go to 12s 10 ah lico battery to really hide it under there.

Get the whole frame chromed though, that bike in the pic is lame with the black frame.

 

[onemanmob]

thanks for the advice dogman!

I'm at peace with the 36 spokes. As for color I'm thinking of going with purple with gold flake similar to this:

is Lico fairly stable? I rent (who in LA doesn't) and I have kids who are terrible listeners.

 

[cal3thousand]

Purple sounds like a great idea.

Here's my wife's bike powder coated Chameleon Violet over Black. Rims, basket, handlebars and rack were all done to match.

 

[dogman dan]

Purple works for me. I was in heaven in the 80's when everything was purple for a few years.

Had a purple 66 bug, and a purple 64 falcon. Took the falcon to LA, and got called queers. :lol: But here near El Paso the Mexicans loved both cars.

I just thought you were going for the chrome look, and thought that bike needed either chrome frame, or even gold plate.

Easy to spray a black hub to that shade of purple, go for it. You can lycra cover the seat easy too, in a matching shade. You just stretch it on, and staple it underneath.

 

[onemanmob]

Purple works for me. I was in heaven in the 80's when everything was purple for a few years.

Had a purple 66 bug, and a purple 64 falcon. Took the falcon to LA, and got called queers. :lol: But here near El Paso the Mexicans loved both cars.

I just thought you were going for the chrome look, and thought that bike needed either chrome frame, or even gold plate.

Easy to spray a black hub to that shade of purple, go for it. You can lycra cover the seat easy too, in a matching shade. You just stretch it on, and staple it underneath.

I rarely give two flying eff's what people think of me.

I'm thinking of Scaling down my build somewhat as is is my first. I realized that I want something that I can setup easy for the first go around, then maybe tinker with in the future.

Motor (from wesnewell's suggestion in the "Your favorite Kit" thread): http://www.ebay.com/itm/26-Electric-Bike-Bicycle-Motor-Conversion-Kit-eBike-Rear-Wheel-48V-1000W-/370934929537?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item565d71d881#shpCntId
Battery: still up in the air. The Lipo packs are SO ATTRACTIVE IN EVERY WAY; small; powerful, cheap, explody. I'll have to do a ton more research in this area before I move ahead.
Controller: dependent on battery. I know the kit wesnewell posted has a controller, but I doubt its half descent.

anyway still lots of thinking to be done on the components side.