Reverend "Iggy" A Felt Taxi Mid drive lunatic

Velodrome · Jan 10, 2017

Got er done. BIG Eastwing and a length of steel pipe.

6 or 7 determined wacks and they pop right out. They also fly quite some distance once free! New 4 bolt BB went right in after VERY careful alignment of the bolts. No chance of realignment once the "cups" are hammered in.

Velodrome · Jan 10, 2017

HOUSTON: WE HAVE A PROBLEM!

But I "THINK" an angle grinder may solve it. Interference between the top of part of the motor assembly and the rear bottom bracket / lower frame interface don't wanna play. I'll mark the areas and sent pics to Luna. I have no idea whats behind the metal on that part of the motor; or how thick it is, and I don't want to remove too much from the frame in that place. !! EDIT !! Hey SilentRider! I think I finally figured out your question about clearence in post 17 FINALLY I get it. I can be a bit slow at times...

Velodrome · Jan 10, 2017

Just emailed Luna Cycles with all the pic's and description. have today to work on it so I hope they git back sooish.

Velodrome · Jan 10, 2017

OK Luna Cycles got back and sent me a pic of the case disasembled and it looked like if I took a bit out of the case with a carbide burr and then grind smooth it would fit. So I did. Thought I would have to take metal off the bike as well but turns out I didn't !! Got a black paint stick and touched it up. Im back in business!

culvercityclassic · Jan 10, 2017

The grinder to a $700.00 mid-drive...bold move on your part...all I can say is wow...I guess you had to make it fit. I wish it would of fit on the top of the bottom bracket for a cleaner look but sometimes things dont work out.

Velodrome · Jan 10, 2017

GRIND IT TILL IT FITS! All ahead full! Aint a scared... Ya. Bit nerve wracking. But it worked and I'm not above putting things at risk for a result. Many times to my cost. Unfortunatly I work the next 3 nights so, don't expect more till the weekend. I'm excited though and thankfull Luna didnt take a week to get back to me on the case thickness. Literally bout 2 hours to get the pic from them. Excelent support; even if their shipping is poo. And yes. I tried and NO WAY was it going to fit inside this particular frame AND keep the chain guard tab. Ummm. Now I think on it maybe there is a way... thinking. thinking. scheming. maybe. Watch this space.

SilentRider · Jan 11, 2017

That's great that you were able to make it fit! This is the first Felt cruiser I've seen using the Bafang mid drive. In fact I haven't seen anyone use the motor with a American BB frame. You should post this on ES too so more people get the word.
For informational purposes, do you think the motor would fit inside the frame if you removed the chain guard tab? If so, would grinding still be required?

Velodrome · Jan 11, 2017

Yes; I believe it would fit WITH some grinding. The distance, center of crank to outside motor case is just about 1.5mm too close. I'm sure this would be true for any Ashtabula conversion. Careful and slow removal of little bits of metal at a time make for a nice snug wiggle free fit. I've decided to live with it for now underslung. I wanna ride not fiddle for now. As it is, I'll still have to modify the chain guard front attachment point because of clearance issues. Pic's eventualy.

Velodrome · Jan 11, 2017

Hey Silent. Check out Phantom Bikes e bike line. They use there own frames with the same geometry as Felt aluminum's. Theres is also an "American" BB. Not sure exactly which motor they are using but I'm sure its not the BBSHD. They are claiming 500W its def a Bafang something or other.

culvercityclassic · Jan 11, 2017

It's the Bafang on the Phantom bike, was told no more gas powered from them after his stock is sold. Out of all the bikes out I really like his R model and the price is fair compaired to the others. I was able to get a gas powered Phantom at a steal and must say its one of the most solid bikes around. Your choice of bike and parts will make yours top notch too.

SilentRider · Jan 12, 2017

Interesting, I didn't know Phantom made ebikes. The lower motor position looks okay and clearance isn't too bad. Keeping the chainguard looks good on a cruiser like these. I'm a bit skeptical of their claim of 40-50 mile using pedal assist with their 11.6ah battery, but maybe if you go slow. I have a 15ah battery and can't get that range using PA and multiple gears.
I'm anxious to see your top speed and range. Did you opt for Luna's DCP-14 display? I like that it includes a watt reading.

Velodrome · Jan 12, 2017

I got the full color display yes.

Velodrome · Jan 17, 2017

Sorry for the delay. Not sleeping... Hip is killin me. Have made some parts by hand required by the choicesis I've made. Pic's to follow. Its coming along. Any other build would have been done on the third day hip or no. This is a bit trickier and I want to do the thing properly.

SilentRider · Jan 21, 2017

Yeah, take your time and do it right. You already got past the tricky part. This is your first electric build correct? Wait until you ride it, it's going to feel like magic zipping along with no noise or vibration. And you'll be able to take it places where a gas bike isn't as welcome.

Velodrome · Jan 21, 2017

YUP! Thats the whole idea. Fast, silent and able to sneak around under the radar. Missed a few days work and now working extra to catch up. Next week I'll be able to play with it. Did manage to make Some custom axle adjusters that should work with the S/A 3 speed.

Velodrome · Jan 24, 2017

Alright. Im back but not with much news. Turns out my throttle is missing from the pile O stuff. Have one on the way now. The extra Bafang 42T sprocket is NO WAY NO HOW gonna work on this build. Luna has a new video up on the different chainrings. I thought it was just tooth count and style that was the difference; not the case. Its all about the offset https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJOO2lWuVKo SO I bit the bullet and ordered the $105 Eclipse https://lunacycle.com/parts/bafang-parts/bbshd-parts/luna-eclipse-chain-ring-for-the-bbshd/ its 4 teeth smaller than the big stocker; that and the offset will be much better for keeping my chainguard.

Velodrome · Jan 24, 2017

Chain tensioners are a bit problamatic with the S/A 3 speed. The axle keepers / rotation preventers, and the gear shift mech on the r side interferes; so I had to go my own way. OFF!! TO ACE HARDWARE!! First I bought some stuff. Steel pins Dremel'd in half, some allen screws and big oll heavy washers with an ID same as the anti rotation bits. Used a flappy disc to grind off the excess. Then off to Bob for some welding

Velodrome · Jan 24, 2017

Bit of touch up on the welds and a squirt of black gloss and Im in business! These should keep the axle from being pulled forward under load.

Velodrome · Feb 7, 2017

! RIGHT ! I'm back. Managed to get stuff done done today. Finally got my MIA throttle and Eclipse ring last week but couldn't work on it. Today got the motor and battery mounted and the axle adjusters on. Also fabed a piece of aluminum to relocate the chain guard ! dance1

Velodrome · Feb 7, 2017

First the axle / chain adjusters. Pictures! On the R side the adjuster is kept by the metal bits supporting the shifting cable and stuff. On the L side I just got a large stainless fender washer to make it behave and keep in place.

Reverend "Iggy" A Felt Taxi Mid drive lunatic

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