Suggestions on what to do with Crystalyte Front X5305 ?

[cal3thousand]

I just lucked upon this front Phoenix Brute aka 5305 aka huge, power capable anchor

Basically got it for the price of a long drive through Hollywood in traffic (I paid some pocket cash but that's literally nothing compared to the agony of that drive ). He was going to chuck it and it was completely foolish luck that he posted it and I got it. I'm a sucker for a dirt cheap deal too.

It came with the controller (4840), charger, and pannier bags with 48V of LEAD pretty much the whole the kit that he purchased from electrorider.com with some added dust for free.

I've got a bunch of projects going on right now and future plans as well, but none of those involves this FRONT mounted beast. I mean... what do people do with these 25 lb things? Are there ANY forks that can withstand the abuse? I know they are coveted for their stator and copper mass, but only a massive trike would like this thing I'm guessing.


Shoot me some ideas people!! Trade offers even! Maybe I can convert it to rear duty? Let's hear it.



Pics for no other reason than we like pics and I have a camera :

 

[spinningmagnets]

Non-hub scooter? Perhaps on top of an extended swingarm, like a farfle? John in CR's sheriff...

 

[cal3thousand]

Non-hub scooter? Perhaps on top of an extended swingarm, like a farfle? John in CR's sheriff...

I guess it wouldn't be hard to slap together a rough "tank" no-pedal scooter build with this thing mounted with a rim brake on back.

I might clean it up and put it in the Market. Are we allowed to propose trades on there? Seems like a good trade item.

 

[gogo]

Mid-drive with a large sprocket/pulley/cog bolted to spoke flange. The large diameter keeps things quiet and efficient.

 

[dogman dan]

Sure there are forks that can stand that thing. It's perfect for a longtail. Justin rode across Canada from sea to sea with the same thing, except his was 5304 I think.

It will pull a hell of a heavy cargo bike for sure. Ideal for a rickshaw.

 

[cassschr1]

Change the cover , press in a different axle. Make it a rear motor.

 

[cal3thousand]

Mid-drive with a large sprocket/pulley/cog bolted to spoke flange. The large diameter keeps things quiet and efficient.

I don't want that huge thing anywhere near me. Even if I were to peg the shell and reverse the spin. Besides, I have a MAC mid drive to finish

Sure there are forks that can stand that thing. It's perfect for a longtail. Justin rode across Canada from sea to sea with the same thing, except his was 5304 I think.

It will pull a hell of a heavy cargo bike for sure. Ideal for a rickshaw.

Yeah, that thought came to mind. I certainly do want a cargo bike eventually.

Change the cover , press in a different axle. Make it a rear motor.

I'm going to have to think about how much work that will take. I know Tench is making axles recently. Maybe I can combine your idea with Dogman's. I do have a 700C commuter that I would like to make into a longtail. Would love a Xtracycle HD whenever they finally decide to put it in production .... Till then, I'm keeping my eyes out on a swing arm or half of a bike to make a frankenbike-alike.


At least I have a motor I can take apart and varnish and upgrade wires and eff around with before I go hacking into my HT3525

 

[Tench]

I have a few suggestions, You could always bolt one of these on and make it a rear wheel motor?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zrx0BlfWZNY/TL0jCcWV5kI/AAAAAAAAAw4/xWJTiPgjiCs/s320/freewheel.jpg

Or one of these with a freewheel crank?

http://www.velosolo.co.uk/pictures/spacerchainlinefaq.jpg

I don't like to hear "NO" it cant be used as a rear wheel!

Looking at it again, is it rim brake only? if so it makes it a little more difficult to use in the rear! ideal for a no pedal foot rest bike though!

I have just finished another uprated Crystalyte spindle today, the lucky thing is off to be abused in OZ!

 

[dogman dan]

Get that thing converted to a rear, using the disk ready covers, and I'll trade you a nice rear 5304 for it.

All we would have to do, is trade stators actually. Of course, as a rear it would kick serious ass on a dirt bike or KMX trike.

 

[Drunkskunk]

I would bolt a sprocket to the side cover, use a freewheel crank, and slap it in the rear of some steel framed mountian bike that could stand to have it's tail narrowed. (Edit: Or use the freewheel Tench sugested) I'd do the same to the other side, and mount a disk brake.

Or build a Stokemonkey style mid drive with it. the narrower front axle width would make this motor easier than a rear motor to mount in a frame.

That controller can't even hope to make this thing work at a fraction of it's potential. 100 volt, 40 amps might be a better start.

If that controller is one of the old Analog units, it may be good for someone who wants very smooth throttle controll.

 

[spinningmagnets]

Here's a drive that uses a Nexus-7 as a jackshaft, perhaps an option ? (motor sprocket would be on the disc side)

 

[cal3thousand]

Would this be the best place to order a cover:

Site:
http://www.crystalyte.us/parts/motors.htm

Actual Item:
http://www.crystalyte.us/crystalyte/x-shell5000r-db.htm


Same as here, but costs less.

Would also need to get an axle from Tench. Man... this is going to the most expensive "cheap craigslist pickup" of the year for me

 

[alsmith]

interesting! Thanks fr the link. My 5300 is front, I followed the motor placement of the donor bike. Something to think about.....

 

[cal3thousand]

That site lists the front and rear motor shells separately- are they interchangeable as suggested by the buy new sidecover strategy? What are the differences that justify separate parts?

I think the differences in the motors are the axle and shell as I can't imagine the stator also being different. Front to Rear axle differences should be obvious, but the shell differences are not so much.

I'll be ordering a new upgraded axle from Tench (after he makes my HT3525 axle :wink: ) and then a shell from one of these places.

Pressing them out seems straightforward enough: Heat up the stator around the axle with a torch and press the axle out with a hydraulic shop press. I think I can find a local shop that will let me borrow one for the 10 minutes needed.

Now to figure out who would want a used front 5305 shell?