Hello everyone at ES, this is my first post! I'm Tim, from Fremantle in Western Australia.
I've been a naughty lurker for several months... :wink: But I am now a member!
Firstly, I'd like to say, this forum is totally awesome, the amount of knowledge, skills, help and assistance that all members provide is an absolute credit to everyone.
I've been following Karl Gleeson, and Bruno (another crazy Aussie-god I love his enthusiasm and spirit...what a legend) for quite a while. I built my first E-bike about 6 years ago, just a basic 1kW hub set up, but is was great, doing 15km each way commute took me pretty much the same time compared to driving my car....crazy hey...bloody traffic nowadays!
So anywaaaayyy, back to this actual thread topic, I'm currently riding a BBSHD powered Malvern Star "Vendetta" that I put together from a couple of old bikes. Unfortunately, I don't have any before pics, but you get the idea
The aluminium frame was purchased from a rubbish tip shop (I believe they are called "waste transfer stations" now) for $15 AUD. The wheels (Alex Rims G3000 disc 26"), drivetrain (Shimano Deore with 9 speed cassette) and RST Gila XE double crown forks are from an old DH bike that my little brother was gonna throw out after he ended up cracking the steerer tube (he's pretty hardcore

).
I purchased the complete BBSHD kit from Pirez Electric Bikes here in Australia, and it has been perfectly flawless so far. I got a 20Ah 52V triangle pack, which easily gives me 60 or 70 kms range with only light pedalling, could probably get close to 90kms if I wanted...it's reasonably hilly where I live/ride.
She does 61.2km/h on a bit of a downhill run, and is just sweet at around 40 to 45km/k just cruising along.
This bike is basically my "tractor", I've got a basket and pannier bags which go on the rear rack, and I can haul a good load of groceries or whatever. She's a heavy girl, but she's definitely got some grunt!
The current sensing resistors that I ordered have finally arrived, so I'm gonna do the basic 45A shunt mod....just solder 1 resistor on to one of the original ones.. I'm also waiting on a Luna PEEK gear, so will probably do it all at once, when I have all parts on hand.
The build I'm currently working on is a light weight city commuter hybrid, which will be a Kepler Friction Drive set up (thanks John, for your amazing engineering, design, testing and production work) so stay tuned
