Throttle on bafang M420

[Sempai]

Hello everyone,

I’m wanna buy a new e-bike with a bafang M420 motor. But is it possible to add a throttle to it?

I already found out that I probably have to change the display and brake cable for one with a extra throttle connection.

But will the controller work with the throttle? And it is even possible to change the cable because it’s hiding inside the frame.

 

[amberwolf]

If the bike didn't come with a throttle, and it's a prebuilt "OEM" bike, it probably has no support for a throttle in the firmware (and possibly the hardware). This is usually for legal reasons for bikes sold in certain regions or as certain classes/types.

There are various threads about the various versions of the M-series systems, which might have more info on this, if you want to look around this subsection of the forum, but I don't recall one that had a way to do this.

 

[neptronix]

You'd probably need to run an external controller to pull that off, good luck!

 

[Sempai]

If the bike didn't come with a throttle, and it's a prebuilt "OEM" bike, it probably has no support for a throttle in the firmware (and possibly the hardware). This is usually for legal reasons for bikes sold in certain regions or as certain classes/types.

There are various threads about the various versions of the M-series systems, which might have more info on this, if you want to look around this subsection of the forum, but I don't recall one that had a way to do this.

Hi, thanks for your answer! Yes it could be fore legal reasons. I already saw some other threads about the various versions of the M-series. But there was a guy that had 3 identical M420 motors. And with 2 of them he was able to change the software. And the other 1 was completely locked. So it’s really difficult to say.

 

[E-HP]

If the bike doesn’t have what you want, buy or build one that does. Buying a factory ebike and modifying it makes no sense and is usually a costly hassle.

 

[Sempai]

If the bike doesn’t have what you want, buy or build one that does. Buying a factory ebike and modifying it makes no sense and is usually a costly hassle.

Factory e-bike’s are expensive yes. But the benefit of it is that all the cable’s run trough the frame. What gives it a clean look. Buts it’s really difficult to modify them.

 

[E-HP]

If you search “e-bikes with throttle” a bunch of results for factory e-bikes with throttles show up.

 

[Sempai]

If you search “e-bikes with throttle” a bunch of results for factory e-bikes with throttles show up.

I’m from the EU. So it’s not that simple here unfortunately

 

[E-HP]

I’m from the EU. So it’s not that simple here unfortunately

Have you test ridden the bike? Maybe you don’t need a throttle.

 

[neptronix]

Here's my thoughts.
1) you get lucky and some trick that works on other bafang factory bike mid drives works ( this is the first time i've heard of the 420 on the forum though.. )
2) you wire up an external controller

It would be better to buy a bike with a motor you know is already hackable..

 

[Sempai]

Here's my thoughts.
1) you get lucky and some trick that works on other bafang factory bike mid drives works ( this is the first time i've heard of the 420 on the forum though.. )
2) you wire up an external controller

It would be better to buy a bike with a motor you know is already hackable..

So with a external controller, you mean that I need to swap it with the old controller? And yes I agree it’s better to buy a bike with a motor I know is already hackable.

 

[Sempai]

Have you test ridden the bike? Maybe you don’t need a throttle.

No, but I really want a throttle

 

[neptronix]

So with a external controller, you mean that I need to swap it with the old controller? And yes I agree it’s better to buy a bike with a motor I know is already hackable.

No, you actually have to run the phase and/or hall wires out from the motor to a controller outside. 0.0001% chance that there's another controller that fits inside.

But a external controller will let you do whatever the heck you want.

 

[E-HP]

No, you actually have to run the phase and/or hall wires out from the motor to a controller outside. 0.0001% chance that there's another controller that fits inside.

Plus making sure the new controller is compatible with the Bafang's torque sensor. You may also have an issue with having a proprietary battery. But the battery may be hackable.

This might be a good choice, if you verify that the torque sensor will work with it:

V6 Phaserunner_MT Controller

Grin Phaserunner Field Oriented Controller, New V6 MT Model with Harness Options for 3rd Party Motors. Waterproof 8 pin CA-WP / 9 pin Mains / 6 pin PAS plugs MT60 connector for three phase power, JST for hall sensors and temp/speed signals 90V Max and 90 A Peak Phase Currents (~45A Continuous)...

ebikes.ca

 

[neptronix]

I mean you'd be ditching a torque sensor for a throttle, very likely.
Battery might need hacking or replacing ( if soldering skills don't exist ), yes

It's probably not the best way to get a throttle, but it is a way.

( i'm saying this as i'm prepping to drill holes into a low production number $1000 mid drive )

 

[Sempai]

I mean you'd be ditching a torque sensor for a throttle, very likely.
Battery might need hacking or replacing ( if soldering skills don't exist ), yes

It's probably not the best way to get a throttle, but it is a way.

( i'm saying this as i'm prepping to drill holes into a low production number $1000 mid drive )

That alot of work and risks lol. I’m also not very technical. So I probably gonna buy a custom build e-bike with a throttle Thx all for your answers! What you mean with a low production number mid drive?