New vintage conversion

Spinnanz

Pedelecer
Feb 18, 2019
56
17
I'm doing another vintage conversion. I scored another cheap Raleigh with pannier bag, and an electric conversion using a 700c wheel set. The only thing left to get is a controller.

The battery is a 36v, which should be good for around 470w, with a cheap China controller.

The only modifications required are a slight file of the dropouts.

Build cost:
Bike $75nz
Motor/wheels/battery $300nz
Controller $55nz

Total: $430nz/$300us/£225uk

39542
39543
 

vfr400

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 12, 2011
9,822
3,986
Basildon
Will the brakes line up with the rim?

Are you going to swap rims because it would look horrible with that black one?
 

Spinnanz

Pedelecer
Feb 18, 2019
56
17
Yep the
Will the brakes line up with the rim?

Are you going to swap rims because it would look horrible with that black one?
Yep the brakes will line (just) up with the new rims. A this stage I'd pref out of place looking rims to keeping the original rims, which are not straight, and mismatched anyway. Eventually I'd like a good set of original rims and lace the motor to one of them.

Failing that, I may paint the alloys rims white.
 
Last edited:

georgehenry

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 7, 2015
1,435
1,259
Surrey
Looks just as cool as your last one which I really liked.

Do you still commute on the other one you did and how many miles have you put on it?
 

Spinnanz

Pedelecer
Feb 18, 2019
56
17
1st hurdle. The battery I got is from a Shimano Steps equipped bike. It turns out this batterys BMS communicates to the Shimano charger and the original bike in order to work. Without that communication the battery won't turn on.

Looks like I'll be removing the Shimano BMS and fitting an aftermarket one.39570