rear X-5 wobbly cassette / bent motor housing

[jscrapple]

Hi,

I just got my rear X-5 installed and now that I've been able to spin the motor up, I can see that the 7-speed cassette is "wobbling" when the wheel turns. It is almost as if the motor housing that it attaches to is bent, or something. Has anyone ever seen this before on a brand new 5 series? (The cassette came pre-installed from ebikes).

There are also some clinking noises when I ride coming from the rear wheel - it may just be the spokes, but I'm not sure, since this is my first experience with a crystalyte e-bike motor.

thanks for any info you can give!

 

[xyster]

The three-speed freewheel on my X5's axle has also always wobbled a little. Never caused a problem so far as I can tell. The motor and axle is straight and true, it's just the freewheel that is attached slightly askew.

 

[Ypedal]

Yep.. perfectly " normal "

They pretty much all do that.. not sure if it's because of the coarse thread pitch of the freewheel or if it's actually the cover that's warped.. but nothing to worry bout... will work just fine.

The clicking sound.. that's a harder one to pinpoint.. does it go away when you let off the throttle or go on all the time ? loose spokes ?

 

[jscrapple]

wow - thanks for the quick responses...

So, how much wobble on the cassette is "normal"? (maybe I can post a video of it if I find the time so you guys can see.)

Is there any way to fix it?

 

[Johnbear]

I have had clicking on a new wheel. I took the wheel off, re tensioned the spokes / trued the wheel and it was gone. Hopefully yours is simple like that.

 

[mvadventure]

I'm betting the clicking is spokes. Simply try flexing them, loose ones will have more flex. If that's the case don't make big adjustments all at once, try a half turn on the loose ones, ride and try again.

It took several attempts but mine eventually quit "clicking" and settled down and I've seen similar reports here on the forums.

Good luck,
Mike

 

[Lowell]

With the power off, sit on the bike and roll it slowly. Note the position of the click, and check the spokes that point downwards. Snug those ones up, and then check all the spokes for even tension. Plucking them like a guitar string is a good way to detect differences.

 

[jscrapple]

great - thanks! I will check the spokes when I get home.

Other than these issues, though, I was blown away by how fun this bike is... I have it running off of DeWalts at 72v with a 40 amp controller, and it really moves (even with my 225 lbs. on it...) very quiet, too - much quieter, lighter, and more maneuverable than my old e-max sport, and possibly faster. I can't wait to do a real ride on it... I think I need a cycleAnalyst, though, since I don't want to over-discharge my batteries.

 

[xyster]

How did you wire your Dewalts? Did you bypass the BMS or go through the regular power contacts? How about charging?

 

[jscrapple]

Right now I only have two dewalts, but the other two are on the way for a total of four. I opened them up and bypassed the BMS by soldering wires directly to the contacts, and cut holes in the sides of the batteries for the wires to come out of.

I will charge the four batteries individually with two deWalt chargers fo r simplicity. (I put connectors on all the battery leads so I can unhook everything).

I know some people are charging more than one battery at a time with one charger, but I couldn't follow the conversations about that - maybe a little beyond my skill level unless someone posts a step-by step guide.