this is me

[Museumman]

I am a 72-year-old retired motor racing engineer my history is in Elgin building and computer control I have a fully equipped workshop and I've self built many cars and motorcycles from scratch my plan is to build 2E bikes one EAPC buying the parts secondhand from eBay and one electric motorcycle with a scratch frame for long distance touring and trailer camping apply for a. vin do sva I don't want to go to all that trouble then let plod take it away I need all the help I can get my history and my engineering background mean I will be able to help other people too maybe best wishes to everybody

 

[Museumman]

I am a 72-year-old retired motor racing engineer my history is in Elgin building and computer control I have a fully equipped workshop and I've self built many cars and motorcycles from scratch my plan is to build 2E bikes one EAPC buying the parts secondhand from eBay and one electric motorcycle with a scratch frame for long distance touring and trailer camping apply for a. vin do sva I don't want to go to all that trouble then let plod take it away I need all the help I can get my history and my engineering background mean I will be able to help other people too maybe best wishes to everybody

ha ha thats engine building iPhone dictate is the most annoying thing in the world groan

 

[Peter.Bridge]

Welcome, what are you planning for the EAPC? A lot of us here buy a second hand donor bike and add a motor, battery, pedal sensor , controller and display

 

[flecc]

ha ha thats engine building iPhone dictate is the most annoying thing in the world groan

. You nearly had me asking Google "What the hell is Elgin building?"
.

 

[thelarkbox]

I was paused at elgin building for a while too.. glad thats cleared up, I had similar initial ambitions re mid-long distance solutions, then i remembered how relieved i was when i could stop commuting on 2 wheels an how i had exhausted all 9 lives of my own with the narrowest of escapes..

 

[Museumman]

I was paused at elgin building for a while too.. glad thats cleared up, I had similar initial ambitions re mid-long distance solutions, then i remembered how relieved i was when i could stop commuting on 2 wheels an how i had exhausted all 9 lives of my own with the narrowest of escapes..

thanks for the replies guys I have had similar experiences on to Wheels are used to live in London and commuted on a Honda dresda 900 pancake it flat front spindle embedded in the crank case of the engine me 30 yards further on on my face!! at the moment I have an aluminium carbon fibre frame and Honbike uni4 front and rear wheels I plan to keep it single speed and belt drive what do you think?

 

[Museumman]

thanks for the replies guys I have had similar experiences on to Wheels are used to live in London and commuted on a Honda dresda 900 pancake it flat front spindle embedded in the crank case of the engine me 30 yards further on on my face!! at the moment I have an aluminium carbon fibre frame and Honbike uni4 front and rear wheels I plan to keep it single speed and belt drive what do you think?

PS. Just to let you know I'm partially sighted waiting for an operation building these things to fill my time and keep my brain active hoping to be able to see properly soon which is why I'm dictating can't really see my phone properly

 

[saneagle]

I have an aluminium carbon fibre frame and Honbike uni4 front and rear wheels I plan to keep it single speed and belt drive what do you think?

Your weight, fitness, the hills you have, the distance you want to go, how much shopping or other stuff you want to carry and how hard you want to pedal all have a bearing on what sort of ebike you want to build.

Bear in mind that you don't need expensive lightweight stuff when you have a motor. Those sort of things can be negative factors because they inevitably make the build more complicated and eliminate some of the best options to give you a nice ebike. Those wheels have got no give in them. Put them on a CF frame, and you'll want to jump off after ten miles.

If your specific goal is to make a lightweight bike because you have to carry it up stairs or manhandle it into a vehicle, that's a different matter. You can build anything for fun or a challenge, like those guys, who build unrideable custom bikes for shows, but I'd rather build something that not only gives me enjoyment when I ride it, but also provides a utility function to improve my life.

For long distance touring, you need a large battery (heavy), a frame with full air suspension, enough room in the triangle or on the downtube for the battery, hydraulic brakes, comfort handlebars, some way to carry stuff (racks or trailer). I can't see a carbon frame being any use at all unless there's something special about it or unless you're lightweight and super-fit, so don't want any significant assistance. You need to tell us more if you want valid opinions.

 

[Museumman]

Your weight, fitness, the hills you have, the distance you want to go, how much shopping or other stuff you want to carry and how hard you want to pedal all have a bearing on what sort of ebike you want to build.

Bear in mind that you don't need expensive lightweight stuff when you have a motor. Those sort of things can be negative factors because they inevitably make the build more complicated and eliminate some of the best options to give you a nice ebike.

If your specific goal is to make a lightweight bike because you have to carry it up stairs or manhandle it into a vehicle, that's a different matter. You can build anything for fun or a challenge, like those guys, who build unrideable custom bikes for shows, but I'd rather build something that not only gives me enjoyment when I ride it, but also provides a utility function to improve my life.

For long distance touring, you need a large battery (heavy), a frame with full air suspension, enough room in the triangle or on the downtube for the battery, hydraulic brakes, comfort handlebars, some way to carry stuff (racks or trailer). I can't see a carbon frame being any use at all unless there's something special about it or unless you're lightweight and super-fit, so don't want any significant assistance. You need to tell us more if you want valid opinions.

thanks saneagle all valid points and well taken I come from motor racing where at a basic level the thought would be as light as possible as powerful as possible...... as strong as possible in that order I am building two bikes a scratch built one with a powerful rear hub motor i have already had an aluminium frame built my son is a coded race car fabricatoreach bike has its own problems I'm going to have to apply for a Vin number and get an SVA I have a full unlimited motorcycle license which I'll have to reapply for maybe even another test it is presently withheld because of My eyesight and age each one of these hurdles will give me an interesting problem to surmount I fancy having this because I want to do long distance wild camping which I used to enjoy in a 4x4 car in the past I want it to be light to carry by train but powerful and road legal it will make an interesting project which I can cover here and on YouTube which will probably take some years ha ha the idea of the lightweight peddle assisted bike is to give me back my mobility as soon as possible it has to be light because I am not very strong and would only be used locally around the town I want to do as much learning as possible to make it legal and usable on cycle paths et cetera whilst I fight bureaucracy to get my license back I have two sons in their 40s my oldest son worked as my apprentice as a motor racing engine Builder and now has my job is a very gifted engineer my youngest son is a coded fabricator motor racing he can literally weld Baker foil they are both very kind and keen to keep dad happy/quiet I have a fully equipped workshop at home so I have the ability to make what is in my head but I will need help from experience people I hope I will find that here and I can report my progress with jumping the hurdles I have to jump to help other people on this site best wishes

 

[Museumman]

thanks saneagle all valid points and well taken I come from motor racing where at a basic level the thought would be as light as possible as powerful as possible...... as strong as possible in that order I am building two bikes a scratch built one with a powerful rear hub motor i have already had an aluminium frame built my son is a coded race car fabricatoreach bike has its own problems I'm going to have to apply for a Vin number and get an SVA I have a full unlimited motorcycle license which I'll have to reapply for maybe even another test it is presently withheld because of My eyesight and age each one of these hurdles will give me an interesting problem to surmount I fancy having this because I want to do long distance wild camping which I used to enjoy in a 4x4 car in the past I want it to be light to carry by train but powerful and road legal it will make an interesting project which I can cover here and on YouTube which will probably take some years ha ha the idea of the lightweight peddle assisted bike is to give me back my mobility as soon as possible it has to be light because I am not very strong and would only be used locally around the town I want to do as much learning as possible to make it legal and usable on cycle paths et cetera whilst I fight bureaucracy to get my license back I have two sons in their 40s my oldest son worked as my apprentice as a motor racing engine Builder and now has my job is a very gifted engineer my youngest son is a coded fabricator motor racing he can literally weld Baker foil they are both very kind and keen to keep dad happy/quiet I have a fully equipped workshop at home so I have the ability to make what is in my head but I will need help from experience people I hope I will find that here and I can report my progress with jumping the hurdles I have to jump to help other people on this site best wishes

PS I apologise in advance for any mistakes or unintentional comedy caused by My reliance on voice dictation into my iPhone My sight limitations even Mate proofreading difficult because the blooming thing covers up it's mistakes ha ha

 

[Tony1951]

PS I apologise in advance for any mistakes or unintentional comedy caused by My reliance on voice dictation into my iPhone My sight limitations even Mate proofreading difficult because the blooming thing covers up it's mistakes ha ha

Comedy is good.

I am sure I am not alone in understanding your difficulty and being prepared for the odd laugh in trying to help you - though you will get much more help from others rather than me owing to my comparative lack of ability to actually help.

Given that designing and building a bike is such a visual thing, you are going to have your work cut out, but you know what you are capable of and I certainly don't.

Because you are interested in wild camping and long distance touring, I suggest that you look into the posting record of our member, matthewslack.

He has an intriguing solar powered touring set up and he undertakes very long tours around Scotland using a solar trailer on a bike slightly adapted by his own ideas. I think his solar trailer is entirely his own design. He seems to be independent of the grid in keeping it going on these journeys.

 

[Museumman]

Comedy is good.

I am sure I am not alone in understanding your difficulty and being prepared for the odd laugh in trying to help you - though you will get much more help from others rather than me owing to my comparative lack of ability to actually help.

Given that designing and building a bike is such a visual thing, you are going to have your work cut out, but you know what you are capable of and I certainly don't.

Because you are interested in wild camping and long distance touring, I suggest that you look into the posting record of our member, matthewslack.

He has an intriguing solar powered touring set up and he undertakes very long tours around Scotland using a solar trailer on a bike slightly adapted by his own ideas. I think his solar trailer is entirely his own design. He seems to be independent of the grid in keeping it going on these journeys.

thanks for that Tony I certainly will best wishes

 

[thelarkbox]

If not already on your horizon this US based site, endless-sphere.com hosts a forum where all sorts of EV's are built/discussed. inc bigger bikes..

for your everyday regulation compliant e-bike requirements and direction you have landed in the right place here.
Im full of opinions but some in here actually harbour great technical expertise and useful practical experience thankfully

 

[Museumman]

thanks for that this whole subject has been turned into an infernal mess by. the government turning a simple and enjoyable mechanical hobby into a weapon to bash the yobs. i have never been a yob i am a 72 year old disabled pensioner. looking to imrove my mobility and have a bit of fun they dont appear. to have any understannding of the subject just tunnel vision car builders and collectors have so far. luckily been protected by the in parliament petrolhead presure group perhaps we need the same!!!!!!!

 

[thelarkbox]

pedelec regs make a lot of sense and provide for the ability to apply a suitable battery and controller to a motor to move anyone almost anywhere at safe cycling speeds with little or no effort, though i do think they are to hung up over speed control and throttles..
No regs limiting Amps provided to or Watts expended by a motor.

Unfortunately the regs have yet to be applied consistently.. and we have a wyld west situation with every 2 wheeled machine branded an ebike by the tabloids.

browse for member flecc 's contributions in here for a proper legal insight to the regs.

 

[guerney]

@Museumman - What does your titanium eBrompton weigh? You're keeping @StuartsProjects in suspenders on your other thread, which appears to have disappeared since for some reason.

 

[Museumman]

pedelec regs make a lot of sense and provide for the ability to apply a suitable battery and controller to a motor to move anyone almost anywhere at safe cycling speeds with little or no effort, though i do think they are to hung up over speed control and throttles..
No regs limiting Amps provided to or Watts expended by a motor.

Unfortunately the regs have yet to be applied consistently.. and we have a wyld west situation with every 2 wheeled machine branded an ebike by the tabloids.

browse for member flecc 's contributions in here for a proper legal insight to the regs.

thanks for the reply larkbox i understand that i am a retired race engineer i have spent my whole working life using my skills and inginuity looking for speed and an advantage i actually relish the wild west but we allways had a well thought out engineering based book of rules. a formula everyone knew where we were i have read and studied fleccs post it is thorough and well researched but the laws are irratiional politically biased full of contradictions and grey areas a bear trap deseigned to make money for lawyers and the companies working with the police to take the bikes and wasting police time which should be spent chasing wife beaters child abusers and thieves of all kinds where is the clear and uncomplicated anually updated blue book so i can enjoy my hobby stay safe and legal but still have the freedom to build and rode my own. bike best wishes

 

[Museumman]

@Museumman - What does your titanium eBrompton weigh? You're keeping @StuartsProjects in suspenders on your other thread.

hi guerney????im confused i dont have another thread

 

[guerney]

hi guerney????im confused i dont have another thread

Sorry, my mistake. This is the chap with a titanium Brompton:

https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/brompton-blues.49026/

 

[Museumman]

Sorry, my mistake. This is the chap with a titanium Brompton:

https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/brompton-blues.49026/