Need Help To Derestrict Ezee Torq

[flecc]

Barney, are there two wires into one of the two connectors you saw?

If so, investigate them further. One might be looped back into the other in that connector, and if so, disconnect it and try again.
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[jimmyengland1000]

Is the law actually very clear on de-restricted bikes/ From what I've seen, nobody seems to know what's legal and what isn't......

[coops]

Early reports of the eZee motor kit from ebikes.ca suggest the motor does give about 20mph in 26" wheels on a new 37V eZee lithium batt, so nearer 22mph in 28" wheels.

The controller current limit apears to be the same 16A as the UK Torq trekking, so unless the Canadian/US motor's internal gearing is higher than the UK one, the speeds should be the same - so long as the UK limiter can be removed. I could understand a lower wattage rating i.e. 250 vs 350W if the same motor had a limiter on power in the UK, but not if its the same motor & power but geared for a lower speed?? I know that lower speed would mean it runs at lower 'continuous power', and would suit the legal requirements for UK/EU, but it makes no sense in terms of the same motor having 2 different power ratings!

On legality, as far as I know Jimmy bikes should phase down power assist up to 15mph maximum to be road legal, but can be legally used derestricted offroad/on private roads .

Stuart.

Hi All

When I got my 2008 Torq, I asked 50 Cycles if they could de-restrict it for me. They said they could not but that it was easy to do. This would imply that they believe the bike is capable of being de-restricted and going faster! I have no wish to de-restrict at the moment as i'm still getting a feel for the bike and don't need too much speed in the dark. Come the summer though, I will want access to the extra juice and will be mightily miffed if I have purchased a bike which is advertised as - 'Max Speed 15.5 mph (UK legal limit) Can be derestricted to reach 22mph'. Currently I have faith that the good folk of 50 cycles are not telling porkies. Has anyone sought clarification yet if not perhaps I could give them a call.

Paul

[flecc]

Give them a call Paul. They can be genuinely caught out if something on the bikes changes due to availability difficulties at manufacture, not uncommon on bikes. They'll be able to look at a stock one to check the latest details to derestrict.
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[barneyd]

Originally Posted by flecc

Barney, are there two wires into one of the two connectors you saw?

If so, investigate them further. One might be looped back into the other in that connector, and if so, disconnect it and try again.
.

Flecc,

There are two wires in one pin of the first connector but it looks like this is only a joint. One goes to the controller, the other to the loose connector. The loose connector has only one pin, which mates with the other (single) wire in the first connector to give the restriction.

Barny

[barneyd]

I had two replies to my enquiries today:

First from eZee:

Dear Barny ,

Sorry we decided to keep the bikes to the legal speed limit of 25 kph.

I hope 50cycle would have the decency to have told you that very clearly before you oaid for the bike.

But anyway the new Torq has far more power (much more torque) than the old model.

Best regards
W W Ching

The second from 50cycles

Hi Barny,
It would seem as if the spec has changed on the 2008 models. I have emailed our manufacturer and am currently awaiting his response.
Regards
Lloyd

I note that they have removed the note about the derestricted speed from their website.

Looks like the UK/EU version is already as quick as it can be.

[barneyd]

Originally Posted by jimmyengland1000

Is the law actually very clear on de-restricted bikes/ From what I've seen, nobody seems to know what's legal and what isn't......

I'm no lawyer but the way I read it is this:

If the bike complies with the EAPC regulations (max speed 25kph among others) then it is not a motor vehicle within the Road Traffic Act.

Since the Road Traffic Act requires insurance, driving licence, tax, MOT etc for motor vehicles then I guess a derestricted bike would require all of the above. As such, the act of riding the bike probably isn't illegal but to do so without a licence, tax or insurance probably is.

That might even mean that you could end up with points on your car licence for riding your bike!

[flecc]

Thanks for the information Barney, I suspected that this might be the case.

Unfortunately communications between eZee and 50cycles have had not been at their best for a little while.

Understandably, 50cycles want stable specifications for at least a season at a time, while eZee, up against the part availability problem that afflicts the cycle industry can't promise that and variations occur.

Of course the constant changes should be notified to all agents on every occasion, but that's easier said than done and things can get missed.

At least we now know how the extra torque was achieved, by internally gearing down the hub motor. Just making it a 24" wheel bike would have done roughly the same of course, since the motor was designed for a smaller wheel and legal speeds in the first place.
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[Ian]

The law is perfectly clear. To avoid being classed as a motor vehicle an electric bike has to comply with a number of criteria including a maximum assisted speed of 25kph. The use of a bike which doesn't comply is using an unregistered, untaxed, uninsured, non type approved motor vehicle and 3 to 6 points per offence means an almost certain ban!