48V Electric Flat Tracker

Step 1 The Components

We started with a Felt beach cruiser because it had the right look. We wanted a beefy bike that could fit all the components. The goal was to keep the center of gravity as low as possible. Here are the rest of the main components we purchased:
- Briggs and Stratton Etek motor (now discontinued)
- Alltrax AXE 300-amp programmable controller
- Magura 0-5K ohm twist-grip throttle
- 4 x 12V, 21Ah sealed lead acid batteries
- Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes (160mm rotors)
- #35 moped chain
- 13-tooth drive sprocket
- 66-tooth rear sprocket
- big power switch
- 300-amp fuse
- 8 1/4 in. stainless steel motor mount (this replaces the original bottom bracket)

Comments

[BDTwatersports]

Easy way to knock about $400 of that is to buy a normal beach cruiser like a huffy

[Radioactive_Legos]

The bike cost ~$400 and came with coaster brakes originally, so we made out own disc brake mounts.

[mean machine]

What is a alternative motor to use? i'm very interested to see what i can get.




thanks

[Radioactive_Legos]

The Etek-R is a direct replacement for the discontinued Etek that we used, but I read further down in the comments about forklift motors being available for much less and offering similar power (but likely much heavier, too).

[aaronanalog]

You need the disc brake set up for something like this. Cheap bike brakes will not stop you when it is most needed.

[bigredlevy]

That's not exactly true. The V-brakes that are now the most common type of brake on mountain bikes have at least an equal, if not greater stopping capacity than disk brakes, due to the distance from the centre hub (this relates to torque). Old caliper brakes or drum brakes are a no-no. the mechanical advantage of those are terrible. Due to the tyres on this particular bike, discs are the only safe alternative. My father's electric recumbent bicycle pulls up just fine with V-brakes.

[OruKun]

Where can i get a electric motor then if the one shown is discontinued?

[Nezhac]

very nice instructable, as the other guys have said, looks very smooth and pro-looking. Do you know where you can find the motor in Europe, I've looked on Amazon here, but I can't seem to find anything for Mars Electric

[baramunchies]

i have not seen it, but i would suggest to go the electric motorsport (just found out there is something like this) way to track these motors. like electric gocarts...

[Radioactive_Legos]

here is the link. good luck.
<http://www.marselectricllc.com/index.html>

[M4industries]

where is the link?

[baramunchies]

just wonder, would it be possible to use one of those motors. could have the potential of getting the cost down significantly. they come in up to 900 watts on 48 volts.

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/DCM-160/24VDC-600W-MOTOR-15T-W/CLUTCH/1.html

[baramunchies]

sorry, that was 24 volts. but even two of them are still cheap.

[poolsk8r]

really cool project. You must have learned a lot building it. Much better than going out to buy something, and it looks really sweet too. Congrats!! I want one!!

[theXmaker]

Even If It Costs about $2400$????????????????????

[Soupraok]

about how much did all this cost?

[Radioactive_Legos]

$2400

[theXmaker]

I would buy a small mortorbike, that will cost me Much Much Much cheaper than building a motorized bike for ~2400... BTW, I have a small DC motor I bought last year from my friend for 5$... It was for the scooter I think (24v maybe)

[theXmaker]

BTW Great Instructable... Keep Going...

[hondagofast]

Ouch, I was thinking of building one myself until I read that.

[silverbyte]

The motor is 450$ you can get a scrapped bike for free at the scrap yard (maybe pay 5$ - 10$) if you find a better one.... you can compromise the rest of the parts. I don't understand how he got his cost up to $2400. Im sure he paid top dollar for all the components but I know i can build equivalent for MUCH cheaper. I might try it this summer.. we'll see how much funding i have in my pocket!! :)

[Frankie Bones]

the way this one was made I could see it costing that much, but using car or golf cart batteries and maybe a starter motor from a car you could make a cheaper crappier version. Ive never made an electric vehicle tho so i don't know how well it would work.

[guds777]

 trust me, you do not wanna youse starter motor it takes to much current.

[tercero]

Price batteries, controller, throttle, contactor, wiring, motors, dc/dc converters, signals, and all the hundreds of bits that make up the average build. And you'll quickly see why it costs around $2400. It's not a cheap undertaking.

[hondagofast]

I think my uncle has an Etek laying in his garage gathering dust, I'll have to er... borrow it. As for the bike, yeah, I could probably buy it for cheap and drop the expensive front fork/brake assembly.

[ktjensen]

you can get a walmart E-zip bike for $300 that is the same thing.

[Radioactive_Legos]

Ummm.... That's 450 watts. 12,000 > 450. And it's a mountain-ish bike with a bag full of batteries on the back.

[baselinedesign]

In theory only. However, that would be like comparing a Ferrari to a Yugo.

[silverbyte]

ouch, I love it,.... but... not worth building, you can get these bikes anywhere from 600 - 1800$. does look awesome.

[yourcat]

Yeah, but they don't have 30hp gasoline equivalent.

[silverbyte]

Etek-R Power 15hp 48volt : Etek-R Power
is 450$ I don't understand how his total cost was $2500??

[Radioactive_Legos]

Batteries, controller, throttle, fuse, wires, motor, bike, fork, front hub, rear hub, front brakes, rear brakes, machining, steel and aluminum stock, tax. It all adds up.

[yourcat]

15hp actual peak, but the way PM motors work means it has power equivalent to a 30 horse gasoline engine. The other $2050 is the bike, the speed controller, the batteries, etc.

[Grey_Wolfe]

Definitely a point well made. Most electric bikes don't go fast enough to maim you unless you fall off of something (cliff) or what you crash into is moving as well, and toward you. Excellent Instructable, and nice craftsmanship, very professional looking.

[silverbyte]

yourcat : Hmm he mentions its 15HP grey_wolf & yourcat : I love this instructable!!! I really wanna build one and work on my welding skillz, although 2.5k is gonna hurt ... just a tad over my budget. Is it possible get half the horse power at a QUARTER of the cost? I guess I need to investigate electric motors a little more.

[yourcat]

E-tek-R is actually a pretty good deal, power-to-price wise.

I kinda like this for being so cheap ($6!). They aren't very powerful, but you could put several of them on a friction drive (AWD?) and it would still be cheap enough to wire them in series to a bigger controller.

[santakart]

Now that interest is up and the electric motor is now discontinued what is there to use that is not the size of a large trash can

[Radioactive_Legos]

Mars Electric makes a replacement motor called the Etek-R. It is about the same dimensions but weighs about 3 lbs more.

[Radioactive_Legos]

The replacement motor for the etek is called the etek-r. It isn't made by the same company, but it's essentially the same motor. Just 3 pounds heavier and a slighty different back piece.

[santakart]

I must admit that being a motor cycle enthusiast my self that it is a lovely looking machine and would look cool riding to work How long did the batteries last or have you tested it long enough to find out