Schwinn chopper ebike buildup questions

[AussieJester]

Beefy torque arms....who did i send SOA dvds too i forget which one of you chopper pwnerz it was now LoL...wanted to know if they made it ok?

KiM

 

[RallySTX]

That was me, and I guess I forgot to thank you. Sorry for that, most of the stuff played fine, but the last four episodes on disk 1 refused to run. But that was on the crappy desktop that just died. Now I gotta try it again with this new used Dell D620 I got today. Thanks Kim for everything.
Brian L.

 

[RallySTX]

Update, 4 spankin new Turnegy 5.0 6sx1p batts delivered by the mailman today! Two days early no less. As expected paper padding on top label side, and on one vertical side, but not the others. However, they apear to be undamaged and they were wraped in bubble pack, with a cardboard box, then another layer of bubble pack. I tested the discharge leads after visually looking for puffiness or other signs of damage. Everything was good. The voltages read as follows. 23.12, 23.14, 23.13, 23.16, averaging out to 3.85, to 3.86 per cell. Looks like I got lucky! Now the hard part, leaving them alone til next month when I can order a charger, and do some motor testing. Pics of the cells later tonight after I recharge the cam.

Brian L.

 

[ryanvm777]

Update, After paying an ES member $200 for a battery box that was never sent, Paypal has decided to let him keep the money because it is considered a custom made item, and is therefore not covered under their buyer protection program. Dispite his lies to them and me, he gets to keep the money, and I get nothing, and may God bless you all.
Brian L.

There is allways two sides to a story. Here is the other one.

Brian asked me if me freind could build another batterybox. So I checked and he said he would. I gave Brian an estimated time frame and he took it for an exact date for the box to be finished.So during those 3 weeks Brian was given constent updates and pictures of the progress that was being done on the battery box. The guy who was building the box didnt finish in exactly 3 weeks becuase he got busy with other things that are more inportant. Thats how life go's sometimes. It wasnt a surprise for Brian because I was updating him on everything. I even told Brian That there was some setbacks becuase he flew out with his family to see his sick grampa that lives in another state that was really sick. His reply was......
"You know what Ryan, I've had my fill of pricks like you acting like **holes just because you're in another state. I tried to explain my position, and what might happen if things went bad. And you treat my like some punk kid! I don't give a god damb how many emails a day you get. That isn't my problem. You said it would take three weeks at most to build the box. Your feelings, and your Freinds schedule are secondary to the BUSINESS deal you said you could handle. Now it's eminently clear, you can't even handle a damb complaint without getting snotty to cripples in other states! Try it to my face ***HOLE!
Brian L."

Brian contacted me exacltly the end of the 3rd week, wich was memorial weekend, He did not want to wait for the box to be finished and was getting rude and cusrsing and calling me names. He asked me for a refunud, and I told him.....
"Wow Brian, nice to talk to you to. I can send your refund when ever you want, the money is still in my paypal account(minus $6.10)........"
I tried to isue him a refund as was unable to becuase there was a temperary hold on the money becuase Brian filled a dispute with paypal. I went threw the proccess of the dispute. Once Paypal released the temperary hold I was able to issue a refund. I did almost everything I could to help Brian get his batterybox.

Brian, I dont appreciate the things you are saying and/or implying about me. I never tried to "ripp you off"!!! I even gave you the exact price he told me. I didnt charge anything extra for the middle man. I tried to be a nice guy and help you with your project. If you didnt act all crazy you would have had your battery box on your bike by now. I have no hard feelings torwards you, we all make mistakes in life, and hopefully we can learn from them. Good luck on your projects.

 

[ryanvm777]

Update, After paying an ES member $200 for a battery box that was never sent, Paypal has decided to let him keep the money because it is considered a custom made item, and is therefore not covered under their buyer protection program. Dispite his lies to them and me, he gets to keep the money, and I get nothing.
Brian L.

What a bummer, after him posting all thos pics of the Battbox and prasing his mate who built it, he then goes and rips you off. Should be ashamed of himself. Maybe this should be a little warning to ES members to pay half up front and half on completion of said object(s) sent from other ES members.
Regards
Tom

Dealing with any fourm member is not allways easy. I asked for a Deposit from Brian encase he backed out or could not pay for the Battery Box, becuase it would not be easy to be resold. He offered to pay the full amount instead. My freind purchased the matterials and allready has spent a few hours on the battery box. Brian was given a FULL REFUND! and was not charged for any cost accoured. Life is full off surprisses, but this life is only temperary compared to our eternal life. So we should not sweat the small stuff.

 

[RallySTX]

Well Hello Mr Ryan, been a while huh. Firstly this is a built thread, please keep your posts on topic. If you have a grievance, you know how to reach me. Persist in smearing my name here, and I will seek to remedy your issues for you. Since you brought it up, if you really want to resolve this successfully, finish the box, send to me, and if it shows up, I'll pay you your asking price plus extra for your trouble. I'm not going to bother argueing with you, I gave you a chance, and you blew it. Whine all you want, but if you had kept your word, you would have had no trouble. I'll give you just one more chance. Ship the finished box to me, and I'll pay for it. That's it. Take it or leave me alone. I bought stuff on here six months ago that still hasn't been tested yet. My stature on this site isn't in doubt, yours is. Keep your word, and you will have fewer issues. Again please whine somewhere more apropriate, this is a build thread, not a daycare blog.

Here is the drawing for the straps for the Spoiler tourqe arms. Monday I will deliver it to Pearson's.

Brian L.

 

[RallySTX]

Well. after all the upheaval in our nations capitol, I have good news. Today I made my first putchase from EP Buddy.
One Icharger 106B, and a 6S paraboard are bought and paid for. Sorry to Ice, he deserves honorable mention here as a good guy and helpfull member of the Sphere. He will get business from me soon enough. Right now I have four Turnegy 6sx1p packs waiting on the workbench. They have been sitting there a month for something to happen. All I was able to do was check the voltage on arrival. When the charger gets here, I will be able to rig up a test harness, check the hubmotors, controller, and break in those batts. If I could source a 24 inch front 9C wheel, I could reinstall the factory rear wheel and with rim brakes, I could test the bike! Anybody got one?
Brian L.

 

[TopCat]

Im glad one of us in the chopper world is having some good luck :wink: If I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all. I think my controllers gone tits up
I came back from Stirling on Monday all ok. didn't use the bike on Tuesday, then on Wednesday I hooked up the batts and pull the bike outside, locked the door, sat on the bike, turned the throttle and nothing? I had to walk into town. When I got home I hauled out the bike and checked all my wiring. I ended up redoing my throttle wiring. Bike ran great - if still a hot potatoe motor
Thursday - Market day. I was ready to pop into town to catch the market and the fish mounger. Hooked up the batts and hauled the bike outside, locked the door, sat on the bike, turned the throttle and nothing? Had to walk into town again - (in the pissing rain ) ...and to top it off the guy had no fish left.
Back home I hooked up the batts and checked all my wiring - nothing? Today I hooked up the batts to the controller and put a multimeter on the motor leads, turned the throttle and nothing registered on the meter. So it looks like im in the market for a new controller.

Regards
Tom

 

[RallySTX]

Jees Tom, you ought to put a ring on that thing and xcall it "The Ex Wife!" You have more trouble with it than I did with my old lady. :lol: If you're sure you aren't tripping the controllers high voltage cutoff, then I say yes, it looks like it's wasted. That strikes me as strange as you never said it got hot on you. That tells me if it is shot, that it probably wasn't your fault. Any electronic device can fail. I would want to isolate the issue if there is one, but I can't see anything but the underpowered motor being why. Perhaps with a stronger motor, a fresh controller wii last longer. I would check inside the controller where the wires from the batts connect for juice before I can it for good.
Brian L.

 

[TopCat]

Hi Brian,
I took the controller apart and had a good look at it. Nothing smelled iffy or looked burnt so I put it all back together (rather fiddly) and hooked it back up. I turned the throttle and the bike nearly shot outta the front door
I dont know what I done but I can only assume it was a loose connection somewhere along the line? All seems to be working well at the moment - Fingers crossed.

Regards
Tom

 

[RallySTX]

I suspected as much, a loose connection, or bad wire. Take a hard look at the battery harness and the connection at the controller. Then again, the throttle might be going south. Picking up a replacement might not be a bad idea. Use one of the lowest drain lights you have on the bike. Turn it on, and watch it as you first poke at, move, and then jiggle parts of the entire harness. You are looking for a wire or contact that causes the light to go out as it is bothered. That should help you nail down the circuit with the personality conflict. Then it's just a matter of beefing up the problem area. Best of luck mate, and I hope the next time she gets away from you, she doesn't end up on my porch, you might not get her back! :lol: :lol:
Brian L.

 

[sol_schr]

Brian,

Say it ain't So... Are your "Spoiled Spoiler" and "The Runt" on Craigslist?

I have just finished reading your post (all thirteen pages), and today I found this;

http://janesville.craigslist.org/bar/2408820064.html

I am just getting into this, and so far all I have are the bikes.
I am planing to "chop" the frames and stretch them (6-8") so an adult can pedal them easier. (except for the electric "Rum-Runner")

Was (am still am) looking to "pick your brains" for advise and ideas. (And that goes for the rest of you's to)

So please.... Say it ain't so!

Greg

 

[RallySTX]

Yeah, that's my stable all right. That doesn't mean I'm going anywhere. Those ads have been renewed for the past six months, but no serious takers yet. A new charger just showed up last week so I'm still in the game. Custom frame mods huh, that's awesome, I hope the handleing improves, along with the look. I found that by adding a set of handlebars that have some rise to them makes the OCC bikes much more comfortable to adult riders. What brains I have are yours to pick at any time, just drop me a line here, PM me, or Email me. That's the fastest way to reach me. I bought an old farm truck from Dekalb back 6 years ago. That truck had the sweetest motor I ever saw. Sure wish I had it today.. Anyway, Welcome to The Sphere! 8) Us Echopper guys gotta stick together.
Brian L.

 

[RallySTX]

And now, it is time for another installment in the continueing saga of a fool and his money. Money? What money! Anyway, One man's love of two wheel mayhem, gets a revolting upgrade, a new alegiance is formed, and the world is saved yet again. Firstly unlike the rest of you deadbeats, I sent a letter to my congressman, as requested by our fearless leader. So I am claiming full responsability for the successful resolution of the Debt Crisis in our nations Capitol!
Ok, now that the frivolity is finished, on to more important things. A new arrangement for machine work on the remaining tourqe arm parts has been secured. One of our own members has agreed to make the straps for the Spoiler, at a very fair price, I might add. Details when I have permission, and something to photograph. And now for the really juicy part. As stated above, an Icharger 106B has been ordered, and arrived within three days! A 6s paraboard, and four deans to 4 mm bullet adapters rounded out to $135 for EP Buddy. And with the 25 amp Archer Mosfet power supply I already own, my chargeing station is god to go.

Now if I could only figure out how to use the damb thing! The pdf manual reads like it was written by an escapee from a Chinese asylum.
Brian L.

 

[TopCat]

now for the really juicy part. As stated above, an Icharger 106B has been ordered, and arrived within three days! A 6s paraboard, and four deans to 4 mm bullet adapters rounded out to $135 for EP Buddy. And with the 25 amp Archer Mosfet power supply I already own, my chargeing station is god to go.

Now if I could only figure out how to use the damb thing! The pdf manual reads like it was written by an escapee from a Chinese asylum.
Brian L.

Cant wait to see how you get on with the Paraboard. I was going to go this route - Paraboard-XH T and T plugs to 4mm adaptor cables but I was told to hang on as a new paraboard was comming out with 4mm bullet connectors built onto the board, a better option as this would save buying the adaptor cables etc. Iv'e been looking on EP Buddy regularly but aint seen any sign of this new board on there site yet.

Last weekend I put a new 203 gold buzzsaw rotor on my back wheel and made up and adaptor to fit a discbrake caliper off a minimoto on my rearwheel. Everything went fine until I came to fit the new LONGER tandem brake cable that was needed for the lenght of the spoiler. I just managedto get it to fit after trimming lump after lump of the gold cable housing. -(photos to come).

After making the aluminium hoop for over the back mudguard I tried fixing on my new saddlebags, they dont fit or are going to take some fiddling to try and get them to fit? - (photos to come).

Last Monday 8th. I had to go over to Stirling again. This time I stopped on a bridge over the river Devon to just give the motor a check (it was avery strong head wind i'd been riding into ) and It was smoking So while the motor was smoking and cooling down I sat and had a smoke myself, but as I couldn't wait to long as I had an appointment to attend I just had to push onward. There was a grinding churning noise from the motor as I set of again? but it seemed to dissapear as my speed built up.
On my return journey I made it across the bridge onto and old road that was at one time the main road but is now used as a bike path. I stopped to make up a ciggy and set off again - churn churn churn? 5mph churn churn churn 4mph churn churn churn 1mph? churn churn churn 0mph? I had to peddal home a good 4 mile or more.
So it looks like my motor is now kaput/burnt out/gone to the great motor graveyard. My mate lives next door to a motor rewinders so I'll see if they'll have a look at it and can do anything with it.

ooh the woes of electric bikes

Regards
Tom

 

[RallySTX]

Poor Tom, I saw that one comeing. That's what happens when you push three times the rated juice through a unmodded motor. I hope it can be rebuilt a bit more stoutly this time. Truth is you need a bigger motor for the power you are useing.
I just checked, and the new paraboards aren't up yet. I messed up and ordered the board with the charger, and only found out after it arrived that I needed the cables. God thing EP Buddy shipping is quick, they showed on Friday. I haven't done much yet but attach the cables to the board. I'm still working out how to use these batteries and stuff without hurting either the cables, or shocking myself. Going through life with one hand is challengeing. I need to use a small needle nose pliers to remove the balance taps from the paraboard, and I need a quick grip clamp on one side to seperate the bullets. I gotta work out a way to discharge the batteries now, before I can charge them up. I will have to set up the Runt for testing, then attempt to charge the batteries. I just hope this stuff works!
Brian L.

 

[TopCat]

I just checked, and the new paraboards aren't up yet. I messed up and ordered the board with the charger, and only found out after it arrived that I needed the cables. God thing EP Buddy shipping is quick, they showed on Friday. I haven't done much yet but attach the cables to the board. I'm still working out how to use these batteries and stuff without hurting either the cables, or shocking myself. Going through life with one hand is challengeing. I need to use a small needle nose pliers to remove the balance taps from the paraboard, and I need a quick grip clamp on one side to seperate the bullets. I gotta work out a way to discharge the batteries now, before I can charge them up. I will have to set up the Runt for testing, then attempt to charge the batteries. I just hope this stuff works!
Brian L.

Looks like we both spoke to soon mate. I just got an email to say there in stock, so I checked there site and there they are.

http://epbuddy.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=215

Looks like I'll now have to topup my paypal account

Regards
Tom

 

[sol_schr]

Brian, I know what you mean about the handlebars. Looks like your Runt has the "no rise" bars on it.
The two bikes I am planning to do also have the same bars. Have you (or anyone else) tried to put standard
"center grip" ape hanger bars of a OCC Stingray? As the OCC's have two grips off center, was wondering how well
that worked out. BTW, I just passed through Janesville last month to pick up the two bikes I'm going to build.
This month got a OCC Electric Stingray off a kid near here for $70.00. Added new batteries and a 6 volt 8ah battery
for accessories. (lights and such) It fit nicely in the battery box. May post a thread on the mod. later
Now I'm working on a rear rack for supplies.

Greg

 

[RallySTX]

Thanks for asking, dude. You would have been more than welcome to stop in for a cold Mountain Dew, and a look at the bikes. Please feel free to drop me a line, and I'll let you know where it is. Anyway, about the bars, both the Spoiler and the Runt have the same clamps for 7/8 th inch bars. Topcat who posts here often already put ape hangers on his Spoiler. What I did was to swap the bars from both bikes onto the other bike. The OCC I believe you are seeing is the bike that was restorted to original rideable condition. The Runt if you will. The Stripper is the other OCC that had all the stickers removed, the 9C rear hub and L shape tourqe arms, and throttle installed. Pic below taken today as it is just for you.

Any handlebar set that is 7/8 inch should fit the clamps, but bars with center grip raised area will look out of place for those in the know. If you run into an interference from those bars, you can start looking for older motorcycle bars as many of those are 7/8 inch. Beware though, if you start looking at cycle bars, as some are 1 inch, and will not fit the clamps without machineing. If biucycle bars fit but rub the bottom of the clamp, they can be hammered to reduce their interference. Just use a three pound maul gently to reduce the bulge. I would just do a Ebay search for 7/8th handlebars. Let me know how it goes, and if needed, I'll help where I can. Good luck.
Brian L.

 

[TopCat]

I picked up my handlebars of ebay a steal at £4.99.

Western Handlebars 12" Rise 30" Width.
Gives the spoiler that proper chopper look.

If your looking to go with the chopper look bars for your bike, try searching on ebay, search under- Western Handlebars - Chopper Handlebars or Custom Handlebars. In your search you may come across a few sets of twisted handlebsars (that look good) in gold or chrome. I was at one point going to buy the gold ones but changed my mind. Most motorbike bars should fit but if not it wouldn't be hard to make a shim.

NOTE.
If going for high rise bars be sure to take into account that you'll need to buy new longer brake cables. I had to put rear brake cables on my front brakes and buy a tandam brake cable for my rear brake - that just fit.

Regards
Tom

 

[sol_schr]

Thanks for the info Brian and Tom.

I found that they have quite a selection of standard bike handlebars over at bicycledesigner.com (the birdcage bars are sweet)
I figured could put a piece of something (plastic tube) over the center part if need be, and if the clamps will hold to the smooth surface.

Brian, thanks for the invite. may just have to take a ride up to your hood someday.
I'm just drooling over your 9c motor on the rear of your stripper. (forgot about that one)
Can you please give me some more info about it? What model of motor is it?, where did you get it?, did you use your old stock rim? ect, ect, ect...
Does it have a "custom" axle? looks like you don't have to many extra threads on it. Also how well does the freewheel line up?

So many questions.... below is a custom "freewheel Coupler" that itselectric.ca can get. Looks like it gets the chain lined up pretty good.

View attachment 1

Ken from there sent me a picture of his latest ride. (notice the space by the hub, with the coupler)
It also has a very nice battery bag. 8)


Remember, I'm trying to build two of exactly the same bike. (One for the old lady, when I find one LOL)
My biggest concern is stretching the frame, and the next is getting the motors to fit the bikes (with SLA's for now)
And then.... well you know the rest...

Thanks again for your input.

Greg

 

[RallySTX]

Hi Greg, glad to help. The 9C hubs I have came from private vendors on this site. However, one of them is still selling hubs like mine. The cool thing about 9C's is that all the newer [black case] rear hubs come factory with a nine inch axle. This is needed to fit the wide dropouts on the OCC or Spoilers. In fact if you go that route, you will likely need washers to take up the slack between the hub and the inside of the dropouts, even after tourqe arms are added. I did. I believe the hub I bought from Bufalo was a 2807 or 9x7, and the one from Cali, [Methods hub] is a very special low speed climber 2812 or 5x12. You can still find his thread in the for sale new area here. http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=26603
I opted for the climber because of all the hills we have here, and my weight. Actually in that pic yesterday you will see the chain tensioner that is originally off the Spoiler. I like the look and after fileing the hole to fit the axle snugly it adds to the suport of the tourqe arms. Without that on, there would be about 1/4 inch or so extra thread, just enough I think for a Nordlock washer. Because of the width of the dropouts, the chainring to freewheel alignment is totally wasted. The good news is that the factory chainring on the pedal crank is bevel cut, which facilitates extreme chain angles well. My 9x7 came with a generic 5 gear freewheel. There is room between the rear stays, or dropouts for any size freewheel cassette you wish to use. You simply need to add enough C washers to allow it to rotate freely. On the smallest ring, high gear, there is no chain jumping even though the alignment is off. I simply need to remove a few links to shorten the chain, and all will be well. The bike in your pic has a Crystallite hub which is a different brand than 9 Continent. The X5 as we call the Crystallite
5303 series is a very high output hub. It weighs more, has more power, and a shorter axle than the 9C's. That last fact is why I went the way I did. Until I know for sure that they will not work for me, I will try to use what fits the bike first, before attempting to reengineer the wheel, like they did at IE. You will find several public vendors here that sell either 9C or Xl series hubs. You can specify front or rear wheel, disk brake or non disk, and even choose the size if the freewheel you want, among other shoices. If you are like me, and can't stand the idea of loseing the factory fatty rear tire, you are in luck there as well. John Rob Holmes at Holmes Hobbies will customize your hub with thicker spokes, wider rim and even DOT tires. http://www.holmesbikes.com. I have great respect for John, Methods, and many others here. You will need to look hard to find a better bunch of people willing to help resolve your issues, and achieve your dreams. Thank you for your interest, and again, Welcome to The Sphere. That's one way to kill an hour. Now it's time to cook dinner.
Brian L.

 

[sangesf]

Brian, I know what you mean about the handlebars. Looks like your Runt has the "no rise" bars on it.
The two bikes I am planning to do also have the same bars. Have you (or anyone else) tried to put standard
"center grip" ape hanger bars of a OCC Stingray? As the OCC's have two grips off center, was wondering how well
that worked out. BTW, I just passed through Janesville last month to pick up the two bikes I'm going to build.
This month got a OCC Electric Stingray off a kid near here for $70.00. Added new batteries and a 6 volt 8ah battery
for accessories. (lights and such) It fit nicely in the battery box. May post a thread on the mod. later
Now I'm working on a rear rack for supplies.

Greg

OMG.. Only $70 for the electric OCC?!?!? Damn, I wish I had your luck..
Been trying to find another one for AGES.. Problem is, everyone wants like $600 for em..
They were $170 on sale at Walmart a few years ago and now people want a premium for 'em..

 

[RallySTX]

Oh yeah, regular OCC bikes in neglected condition are going on Ebay for over @100. I bought one with a bent rear rim off CL for $150, then bought another for $70 to get a straight rear wheel. Now, I can't even sell the first one for $100 even though it's fixed. I got a Spoiler for $350, NOS, at an independane bike shop. They sold new for $650. Now you can find them with a $1,000 pricetag, if you find them at all. I did find a Spoiler for $450 with forks that had been painted black, but that's missing parts and is obviously a rustic example. Yeah, $70 for a complete, decent EOCC, is unheard of awesome deal.
Brian L.

 

[TopCat]

Theres a guy on Facebook - Schwinn Sting-Ray Spoiler Group Selling 4 or so brand new spoilers in box's. Anyone interested have a look.

FACEBOOK.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/1250...alink&id=179946545407755#!/groups/2329564396/

EBAY SALE.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Schwinn-Sti...751?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27bd91cdb7

UPDATE....
Found an Electric Stingray on Ebay, Sitting at $300 - 2 days left.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SCHWINN-ELE...251?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aadeaa253

Regards
Tom