New noises from new motor - Powacycle Windsor

nin26

Pedelecer
Jan 2, 2008
84
0
Poole, BH16
I've noticed some new noises coming from the nice new replacement motor in my Powacycle Windsor. It's only when I'm pushing it and it seems to stop when I'm riding along. I can only think to describe it as the sound it would make if you swished a lot of ball bearings around in a cup every couple a seconds. It sounds like I've got a set of maracas in the panniers! Is it normal, as I never remember the old one doing it - and if it isn't normal, is it fatal?
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,563
30,851
I can't be certain but it may be it's internal freewheel. In hub motors these are commonly ball and ramp devices and at low speed the ball bearings may be jiggling in the housing. Have you tried riding it without power to see if the noise increases at higher speeds? If it doesn't, it's probably ok and may settle down after a little use.
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nin26

Pedelecer
Jan 2, 2008
84
0
Poole, BH16
Thank you - I'll give it a go after work. The motor seems to be working perfectly and the swishing noise stops when I'm riding it with the motor on, so hopefully it will stop when the motor is off too. Hopefully its just a slightly disconcerting quirk!