Ezee Torq questions

[averhamdave]

I've just bought an Ezee Torq which needs a little work to make good. When finished it'll replace my aged Powabyke!

Its allegedly a couple of years old with what seems a decent L-ion battery , its well used but still works but has issues.

Its a smaller motor than my wifes Liv, which surprised me - Is it a Suzhou Bafung? The number on the side of the hub is BF701B16199. Can anyone identify and advise of any specs?

I need to deal with it though as it sounds as if the bearings have gone. It functions fine but makes some horrible rumbling noises when travelling! Will spares, other than bearings be available?

Couple of other minor issues - the throttle is non original (surprise!), but being on the left you have to roll it forward to apply power - will a left hand throttle be available? Its not a big point but if easily fixed I may change it.

Further to the above - the loss of the Ezee throttle meant the loss of the light switch which would have be a part of the throttle assembly so now the light switch is a lash up hanging in limbo. I could do with a throttle assembly with a switch built in or a separate handlebar mountable switch for the lights. Does anyone know where such a handlebar mounted switch can be purchased?

Thanks in anticipation, Dave

 

[NRG]

I don't know the Ezee range so can't really help other than to let you know spares are available from here:

Parts for eZee bike

Left hand throttles listed right at the top, or try contacting Ezee directly the Big Chief posts on here from time to time....

 

[HarryB]

Electric Bikes from OnBike - The UK's Electric Bicycle Specialist. The best electric bike and reviews from eZee Bikes Emotion Wisper Daum Gocycle and more...

 

[Chief eZee Power]

Torq

Hello Dave,

You have acquired a model of the Torq that is maybe 4 ~ 6 years old. The motor is a BaFang motor, the serial number starting with BF.

The sound is probably cause by the planetary gears having one or more broken teeth, so you should replace the planetary gear set, please check with Onbike Ltd to get or order a replacement.

the throttle is also not original with the equipment. We have the proper left hand throttle, again check with Onbike for all the other parts that you might need.

When you remove the front wheels, pls note the connection at the front motor / controller does not follow the same colour code, pls note them before you pull it apart.
Controller Motor
Yellow ------------ green
green ------------ blue
blue ------------ yellow

If you need further assistance pls email me direct ezeebike@gmail.com

Kind regards
W W Ching

 

[flecc]

N.B Below post crossed with Wai Won Ching's kind advice.

Yes, as Harry advises, Onbike are the official eZee distributor for the UK and carry spares. They will have available the correct throttle.

It is a Suzhou Bafang motor on the older Torq 1 and yours is one of those, current models using eZee's own motor. Your Torq's Suzhou motor is a brushless design and more powerful than the Liv one, which is an older brush motor design that was originally used in an early eZee model, the Rider, which had a large lead-acid (SLA) battery.

That Torq motor might not appear more poweful when it comes to hill climbing since it's internally geared for speed, capable of working to 22 mph, but not so good on hills as a bike like the Liv, geared for 15 mph legality and better hill climbing.

It's not possible to be certain, but the moor noise may be nothing to do with bearings since these rarely fail. If the wheel spins in the normal direction by hand with no noise but is noisy when under power, it's likely to be an electrical fault. If it turns noisily and harshly at all times, it's likely to be the nylon gears and gear ring with damaged teeth. These are replaceable and the photos below show your Torq's motor opened with gears and hubshell gear ring on display:

Onbike can replace these or you can replace the gears yourself with the right advice from pedelecs site members.
.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

These motors do make a bit of noise at low revs, but normally are silent above 10mph, so check that your noise is not normal before trying to fix it.
I modified my bike that had the light switch on the throttle. I drilled the light and inserted a cheap toggle switch on it and then spliced my old light switch into the brake switch wire so that I can disable my electric motor for pedal only. Before that, I had to switch off all electric power at the battery, which was not very convenient.

 

[averhamdave]

Well a big thankyou to everyone who has responded.

I am going to pull the wheel out this morning - because its not a big job - and strip the motore and check the gears. I'll let you know what I find.

I like the idea with the toggle switch on the light unit as well!

Good support - I'm sure I'll need more!

 

[flecc]

Watch out for any shims on the spindle at the gear side of the inner core Dave. They can stay on the spindle, stick to the bearing that stays in the housing or come adrift and stick to the motor magnets. Save any present and put them back when reassembling.

Once the six screws are removed from the motor side plate, remove the spindle nut on the opposite side that retains the motor core in place, give a sharp tap on that spindle end and it will break the seal of the side plate to the hub shell, allowing it to be slid off, taking care of the cable where it emerges from the spindle.

When reassembling, it's that single spindle nut to fully tighten to register the motor core correctly, preventing the motor windings from risk of contact wite side plate.
.

 

[averhamdave]

Thanks Flecc. Have just read your last posting after just having finished the job! - and I can confirm everything you have said is spot on!

No damaged gears, no bearings problem. It seemed to be an accumulation of dry hard grease residue that was jammed in the gears. The whole gear assembly was bunged up and dirty and grumbling when rotated.

I have washed it out thoroughly with repeated applications of WD40, dried off with an airline and then applied white spray grease followed by a good smearing of LM Grease.

The stripdown and reassembly was straight forward. What I now have is a noisy(ish) front hub motor but the noise is constant and smooth if that makes sense. I'm quite happy now, and a test ride has suggested all is OK.

I have joined the lighting wires, heatshrinked and tucked them back into the loom so the lights are on permanently. I'll now obtain a water proof toggle switch and fit to front lamp cowl.

The main outstanding item will be trying to obtain/replace the badly damaged casing that houses the battery indicator leds and the mode delection switch.

Thanks again, Dave

 

[flecc]

I feared you would already be into the job before coming back to the thread Dave, but that's good news anyway. The Torq 1 does tend to be noisier much of the time due to the high motor gearing keeping it in the less efficient area for longer periods and making it work harder.

Exactly the same motor and electrical setup with the 20" wheel of the eZee Quando gives about 16 mph top assist speed with less strain and quieter much of the time.

Once you are spinning along on the flat without any headwind in the 18 to 22 mph assist region you'll find it much quieter and scaring the odd slower lycra.
.

 

[averhamdave]

Once you are spinning along on the flat without any headwind in the 18 to 22 mph assist region you'll find it much quieter and scaring the odd slower lycra.
.

Flecc, by this do you mean that with a reasonable amount of rider input it'll do 18 - 22mph, or do you mean it will do this on throttle only?

I ask because, with a fully charged battery, well inflated tyres (but 15stone rider ) it seems to be happy cruising with minimal input at about 12/13mph. 18mph is easily achieved with a decent amount of pedalling but 22 requires work! - All on flat smooth tarmac.

My early feel is that it is not as spritely as my wifes Ezee Liv but just about OK. I suspect hill climbing ability is mediocre, (whereas the Liv is excellent) - this may be a deciding factor as to whether I take to it or not.

Is it possible that something may have degenerated somewhere or is there something else I should check out/modify? The motor now turns nicely albeit still fairly noisy - compared to the Liv and my Powabyke.

 

[flecc]

It may be restricted Dave. Underneath the battery in the tangle of cables there is a wiring spur that cotains a cable loop. If connected it's restricted to 15 mph power assist limit, if open circuit power is available to as much as 22 mph. Here's a photo that may help you to locate and disconnect. Unplug 1 from 2, tuck 1 into the insulated connector fringe and tape up:

 

[averhamdave]

Ah, that sounds promising I'll have a look tonight. Certainly there's no power from the motor after about 15mph (max). Thanks, I'll get back to you. Dave

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Regarding the toggle switch for your lights: You can get a standard small one in Maplin and they supply seperateley a screw-on waterproof shroud for it - total cost about £3 - £4. Alternatively, if you mount an unshrouded one underneath the light, then any water will tend not to enter it.

 

[averhamdave]

Wow! That's made a difference Flecc! Thanks for the info. I can live with that now

D8veh - thanks for the pointer. At the moment I have just joined the wires in the loom and the lights are on all the time. Couldn't I just leave it like this? I doubt a couple of led bulbs are going to do much in terms of shortening battery life?

As for the switch, I have got a small waterproof switch but a first glance suggests there is insufficient room within the cowl to accomodate it. The reflector/bulb holder sits right back into the cowl so I don't see how I can doit - although you obviously have

 

[flecc]

Derestriction makes a difference to the range as well of course.
.