Torque Arms - Panic

[jerrysimon]

Details in posts below.

 

[AndyOfTheSouth]

While waiting for one of the heavy hitters on the forum to give you some proper advice, I've been wondering what beers would be sold in the Torque Arms, but have only come up with Brakspears.

It is unlikely that your kit would have included a torque arm (Heinzmann does, I think, I don't know if others do) but you should have been provided with a torque washer. This has a hole the exact size and shape of the spindle and a flange which exactly fits into the end of the drop out. This is to make sure that the motor doesn't rotate within the drop out.

I have the impression that, while steel forks are better, many conversions involve aluminium ones simply because most bikes are made like that.

Now... while we wait for someone to give you good advice... where were we on puns?

 

[jerrysimon]

lol thanks Andy, I read round the forum and found the answers I wanted so deleted the initial post before your initial reply. I couldn't seem to delete the post

For those confused my initial post related to my new front wheel kit, the use of aluminium forks and if torque arms were required.

Re the washers I don't recall any torque washers though there were several spacing washers. The front dropouts do have two flat edges as does the center spindle on the new wheel but I guess under heavy torque it might turn.

I guess the answer is to keep an eye on it all and make sure nothing is amiss.

Regards

Jerry

 

[flecc]

Definitely use an anti-torque arm. The flats in the forks very often give ay under the torque force and the fork ends can often even split apart.

Risking it without isn't worth it for the sake of the small cost of fitting an ant-torque arm. Two sources:

Anti-torque arm 1

Anti-torque arm 2
.

 

[jerrysimon]

Thanks flecc.

Jerry

 

[AndyOfTheSouth]

This is good advice from Flecc, as ever. While you are waiting for the torque arm to be delivered, it would be interesting to hear what response you'd get to an email on the subject from the kit supplier!

 

[jerrysimon]

This is good advice from Flecc, as ever. While you are waiting for the torque arm to be delivered, it would be interesting to hear what response you'd get to an email on the subject from the kit supplier!

I have emailed them

Flecc is a real star. The second one in flecc's post looks the most adaptable. I have mailed them to find out how much and if they post to the UK. I am assuming you only fit one ?

Regards

Jerry

 

[flecc]

One is fine Jerry.
.

 

[jerrysimon]

Good news!

Although my frame IS aluminium I did a magnet test on my forks and the little suckers are steel

Phew panic over.

That second site that flecc linked to had an FAQ (scroll down) that said not to fit one of these wheels to aluminium forks.

I think I may still fit a torque bar though.

Regards

Jerry

 

[flecc]

Even on steel forks an anti-torque arm is advisable. The twisting force these motors can produce is often much higher than you might imagine.

If it does spin in the forks and rip out the wiring from the spindle centre, the motor can often be left unrepairable, so it's not worth that risk.
.

 

[jerrysimon]

This is a good related thread and a very elegant solution.

I need to stop reading and get to bed lol

There is so much info and resource in this forum.

Regards

Jerry

 

[flecc]

Yes, I remember that thread Jerry. Here's my similar anti-torque arm on another bike's rear motor:

 

[jerrysimon]

... it would be interesting to hear what response you'd get to an email on the subject from the kit supplier!

Bob at AlienOcean mailed me back promptly and said that he has sold hundreds of these kits and had no torque problems causing the shaft to spin in the lug yet. He did say that for the higher powered wheels he is about to sell, he is going to source some torque arms though.

Although I will probably still get a torque arm or make one as per the thread link above, I am less concerned than I was when I thought my forks were aluminium.

On another positive note I have been wieghing my bike (I hold the bike then subtract my wieght) and noticed that I have lost 5lbs last week since I have been using the bike for work.

Well either I have or the bike has got lighter

Regards

Jerry

 

[flecc]

Nice one on that weight loss Jerry.

The torque arm I showed in the photo above was the one fitted to the same type of motor as the Alien ones which eZee also used on their Torq 1 bike at the time. So they thought it worthwhile.

As you say, with steel forks you'll probably be ok, but having read the various posts in here when members have had a motor spin rip out their cables, I prefer to advise that one is used rather than say it's not necessary and have someone suffer as a result of my advice.
.

 

[jerrysimon]

Ok belt and braces homemade torque arm. I looked at the ones for sale but could not figure out if they would fit, so got someone to help me knock one up based on the many designs on this forum.

Existing forks

My front forks had a quick release wheel so has the dreaded recess in them.

One Homemade Torque Arm

Placed On Fork

Finished Job

Regards

Jerry

 

[flecc]

That's just the job Jerry, using the spoke mounting bolt was a good idea to keep it neat and simple.
.

 

[jerrysimon]

using the spoke mounting bolt was a good idea to keep it neat and simple.
.

Thanks

I can't take the credit this forum is great and I just copied the many who have done it before me.

Jerry

 

[daniel.weck]

That's a neat job !

I imagine that it's a kit from Alien bikes, with a Suzhou Bafang SWXB motor (unlike the typo on their website ).

- 36v Road Legal Kits

FYI, I found lots of technical data about this motor by searching for "PMGR" (Permanent Magnet Gear Reduction) on the Endless Sphere forum.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/4589-e-bike-diy-conhis-motor-kits-china-3.html#post58321

How do you find the torque, do you get enough assistance for an easy ride uphill ?

Cheers, Dan

 

[jerrysimon]

How do you find the torque, do you get enough assistance for an easy ride uphill ?

Dan I live in Cambridge so not many hills. I did a review of the kit here

I use the bike about 10 miles round trip to work. A couple of inclines but not really hills. The battery is less than half used on my return and I think I could easily use power all the way and back but want to built up my strength to maybe cycle all the way on my own.

In terms of torque its hard to say this is my first e-bike. It does what I need it to. Several keen cyclist at work have had a go and say wow that has some pulling power

Regards

Jerry

 

[daniel.weck]

Dan I live in Cambridge so not many hills. I did a review of the kit here

Oh yes, I came across this thread before, thanks !