Think bike by Ford

I'm rehab-ing my Ford/Th!nk bike (Fun model) ca. 2000 and am having an issue with batteries. The OEM battery was Yuasa REC 12v/12 aH (x2) for 24 vdc/12 aH. Apparently Yuasa no longer manufactures this battery, which would not be a problem except any replacement battery must fit the dimensions of the battery case, which I am struggling to get open.

I've seen several posts in this thread regarding this subject, but most are older, and posted back 'in the day' when Yuasa still made the original REC 12120 battery. Does anyone know if a Genesis NP12-12 w/F-2 terminal is a compatible replacement?

If anyone can speak from experience and provide me with a current replacement for the 12v - 12 aH OE batteries? And a source, or two?

And, I do have the charger, and would be happy to provide the specs noted on the the device, or post them here if anyone wants them. No!, I don't want to sell the charger!

Gracias!
Ralph - Louisville, KY
 
Ralph, the batteries are simple marine type batteries that you could pick up from any battery shop like Batteries plus. I have 3 Think Bikes and I have replaced the batteries in each of the cases. The batteries range in price depending on where you get them from $35 ( online) - $46 in the store. They are very easy to replace. Just get the small screw drivers and unscrew the case and you can easily replace the batteries.
 
Thanks, B. West.

My case is partially open, except for one side (the one opposite the charging receptacle). As a former Ford employee, I'll just get a bigger hammer, figuratively speaking.

As you are saying, the brand is not important, which is good. Only the physical dimensions and the amp hours are critical. And, of course, the SLA type must be used to be compatible with the charger.

Again, thanks for your prompt reply.

Ralph
 
billfilkins said:
I've read a lot of posts/replies in this forum but never got a good answer for the following questions.Is it possible to purchase a new charger for my Ford Think bicycle that will plug into the receptacle on the battery box?What's the best kind of battery,a plain lead-acid or a deep cycle marine type?My Think was a gift but did not have a charger,batteries or an owner's manual.Is there any place on-line to download an owner's manual?I can hardly wait to get it going so I can ride it here in central Florida before it gets too hot.
Click to expand...
FOUND THIS IN SWAP-N-SHOP ON THIS SITE
B. West
Motorized Bicycle Newbie

Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: California
Posts: 8
Ford Think Bike parts supplier/service repair
This is a repost for anyone seeking parts or repairs for their Ford Think Bike.

Hi! I hope this information will help others get their Think Bikes working again. After much exhaustive research and phone calls, I have found what is likely the last dealer/repairer for Ford Think Bikes and parts. They don't sell the bikes but they do have just about every part available and can even repair your existing parts. I work for Ford and found out some time ago that one authorized dealer purchased most of the existing parts supply from Think when Ford divested the company. They can supply you with whatever you are looking for. They are quite busy as it took some time to get my parts (controller and new battery case) but as soon as they arrive I will have my 3rd Think Bike Fun operational. The company is:

Light Electric Vehicle Technologies
602 S 1st Ave
Pocatello ID 83201
208 478 5388
208 232 3717
877 807 5388 toll free
Or 888 423 5388

Make sure you tell them Brian West sent you

Good luck and happy riding!
 
B. West said:
Ralph, the batteries are simple marine type batteries that you could pick up from any battery shop like Batteries plus. I have 3 Think Bikes and I have replaced the batteries in each of the cases. The batteries range in price depending on where you get them from $35 ( online) - $46 in the store. They are very easy to replace. Just get the small screw drivers and unscrew the case and you can easily replace the batteries.
Click to expand...

I was able to find 2 batteries at Batteries Plus (locally) for $101.00, including tax. Now I have one more problem, somewhere along the line we've lost the keys. I've been to two key shops, and so far neither can find blanks of the proper configuration.

Does anyone know if the keys & lockset Ford used is a generic (one size fits all), or does each bike use a unique lockset & tumblers? The current locksmith asks where the bike was made, and I could only tell him I thought it was somewhere in Scandanvia, but I wasn't sure where. He said foreign key blanks are available at a few places in the USA.

Any ideas?

Ralph
 
I have one as well. I had to replace the battery but it runs great. I was hoping you might have the user manual as the person who gave me the bike didn't have one. Would you have it?

[email protected]
Bayside, NY

Thanks
 
Hi,I own two FORD FUN BIKES.One is in good shape but the second one needs a Controller.Also as the batteries are dead because it did not get charged, there is a possibility that the the electronic Battery Manegement System ( BMS) could be blown.I am looking for parts for the THINK FUN bike,if any one has it please post a reply or any suggestions. I can buy new batteries but worried about not being able to charge and waste my money. ANY suggestions?
 
REBeverly said:
I'm rehab-ing my Ford/Th!nk bike (Fun model) ca. 2000 and am having an issue with batteries. The OEM battery was Yuasa REC 12v/12 aH (x2) for 24 vdc/12 aH. Apparently Yuasa no longer manufactures this battery, which would not be a problem except any replacement battery must fit the dimensions of the battery case, which I am struggling to get open.

I've seen several posts in this thread regarding this subject, but most are older, and posted back 'in the day' when Yuasa still made the original REC 12120 battery. Does anyone know if a Genesis NP12-12 w/F-2 terminal is a compatible replacement?

If anyone can speak from experience and provide me with a current replacement for the 12v - 12 aH OE batteries? And a source, or two?

And, I do have the charger, and would be happy to provide the specs noted on the the device, or post them here if anyone wants them. No!, I don't want to sell the charger!

Gracias!
Ralph - Louisville, KY
Click to expand...

Hi Ralph,you can search your batteries at..www.bmsbattery.com...OR www.123cr.com web sites.good luck. DAVE
 
Its been a great ten years! The Thinkbike Traveler was put away, the forum passwords were forgotten, other bikes came and went. But there under the work bench waited the Thinkbike. Dug it out, dusted it off and diagnosed it all over again. Bad controller. But nowadays there's other options, controllers and other motors. The Thinkbike Traveler Owners Manual, Assembly Instructions Quick Start Guide, Ignition Key and original receipt are now recovered and available somehow; If anyone cares anymore, copies can be made.
Pic is during cleaning and re-testing. Thinkbike is very similar to early Giant La Free
 

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The bike has barely even a scratch. Compared to the rest of the bike, the controller looks like it was hacked together from leftovers. It seems simple enough for a board savvy hacker to duplicate, not so sure about any program parameters or mapping.
There must be a few hundred or maybe thousands of bikes "retired" with toasted controllers.
Pic of owners manual and literature
 

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Porter Wheeler said:
The bike has barely even a scratch. Compared to the rest of the bike, the controller looks like it was hacked together from leftovers. It seems simple enough for a board savvy hacker to duplicate, not so sure about any program parameters or mapping.
There must be a few hundred or maybe thousands of bikes "retired" with toasted controllers.
Pic of owners manual and literature
Click to expand...


Not sure if anyone is still using this site. I would like to get my hands on the owners manual.

In one note above it was stated that you turn the key and you get two beeps plus the 5 lights. There is a reset pin in with the key and a hole in the back of the controler. I'm trying to recall if this is how you reset the controller. Its been 20 years.

I have two bikes. One of each. I just found batteries for the Traveler. Now I get the beeps.

And for all of you out there, I was with Ford and this was one of my projects. The bikes are built by Giant but to a number of specs that we changed for the Th!nk line.

We sold all of the components and parts to the Idaho address. I had not recalled the name of the operation there until I saw the post listed here. They are the authorized dealer of all the parts. There were around 2500 bikes made so its a realitively rare bike.

One post mentioned Dana Point shop. It was in Dana Point that we did some of the early testing of the bike. We were located in Carlsbad as the headquarters.
 
Th!nk Mobility said:
Not sure if anyone is still using this site. I would like to get my hands on the owners manual.

In one note above it was stated that you turn the key and you get two beeps plus the 5 lights. There is a reset pin in with the key and a hole in the back of the controler. I'm trying to recall if this is how you reset the controller. Its been 20 years.

I have two bikes. One of each. I just found batteries for the Traveler. Now I get the beeps.

And for all of you out there, I was with Ford and this was one of my projects. The bikes are built by Giant but to a number of specs that we changed for the Th!nk line.

We sold all of the components and parts to the Idaho address. I had not recalled the name of the operation there until I saw the post listed here. They are the authorized dealer of all the parts. There were around 2500 bikes made so its a realitively rare bike.

One post mentioned Dana Point shop. It was in Dana Point that we did some of the early testing of the bike. We were located in Carlsbad as the headquarters.
Click to expand...
I bought a Think Fun today, NOS, never been ridden.. original owner ordered his and hers, but received two "his".. I have a copy of the owner's manual he gave me, and I will be happy to scan it for you.. Dave Scrivener, MotorWeek TV
 

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DS-MotorWeek

To contact him directly, click on his name. When the information comes up look for the Start Conversation box and click on it and leave a message.

Rare bike and even rarer NOS.

Steve.
 
Hello to those still using this thread,

I recently bought 3 Think Fun bikes off a co-worker at Ford. 2 Blue and 1 Red with owners manual and charger (have not gotten the charger to work though). Recently, I bought replacement batteries and installed them in their cases. However, when I install the case and turn the key I receive two beeps and one singular red light on the panel. I've read through the manual and cannot seem to find what this issue means. Has anyone run into this issue? If so, your solution would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
 
Looked back through the thread and one person said they had all the red LED's flash once and then the LED on the far left side of the control box kept flashing. They didn't report a cause or repair.

It seems the battery chargers were a weak point. Maybe an electronics repair may help if it isn't burnt up. One person said they had their replaced and the shop put a resister in it. Worth a look back to see if any of the repair shops mentioned are still in business. One dealer in Idaho is supposed to have purchased all the spare parts from Ford.

Steve.
 
Light Electric Vehicle Technologies
602 S. 1st St,
Pocatello, ID.
They have a web site and seem to be active. They are on the 4th page of this thread. Hope this helps.

Steve.
 
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