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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: boscawen46 on September 20, 2017, 01:53:46 PM

Title: Converting pit bike to electric. Advice needed please
Post by: boscawen46 on September 20, 2017, 01:53:46 PM
Hello ,
I am wanting to convert the pit bike shown or similar to electric so that my 10 -11 year old son son can ride it without disturbing the neighbourhood. There are kids motorbikes out there for sale ready made but they are all too small for him.
The pit bike is not very large and I have a few questions about the conversion.

1.) What sized motor wattage and voltage would be an ideal size to give it a good but safe turn of speed and make it perform well over cross country.I am thinking 48v 800w?

2.) Can I use  a twist throttle and speed controller etc kit suitable for an electric bicycle. Obviously for this wattage.

3.) If I keep the rear wheel exactly as it is would an ideal sprocket on the motor be 14 tooth or should it be less or more?
Thanks

Title: Re: Converting pit bike to electric. Advice needed please
Post by: NEW2elec on September 20, 2017, 09:34:44 PM
Hi, just a few quick points.
There have been a few people on here trying similar projects from the ground up.  Basically it aint easy.  Some of these guys are EE's and have big problems making home made bikes.  I know there is an electronics project forum that would be a better starting point.
From the looks of that bike I don't see a good frame set up to hold batteries to give you much use.
Lipo batteries would be about your only option to keep your weight down in such a small area.

The KTM Freeride E is a smaller adult size bike, it may work.  Check out their site to see if there is anything close to you to check it out.
Good luck.
Title: Re: Converting pit bike to electric. Advice needed please
Post by: boscawen46 on September 22, 2017, 12:50:47 AM
Thanks for your reply and advice. I thought maybe there would be more discussion about it, maybe wrong forum? I will use a lithium battery to power it and it will involve  welding a fixing point/plate for the motor but apart from that and controller and twist throttle nothing else on the bike needs to change. J
Title: Re: Converting pit bike to electric. Advice needed please
Post by: MrDude_1 on September 22, 2017, 08:21:04 AM
Thanks for your reply and advice. I thought maybe there would be more discussion about it, maybe wrong forum? I will use a lithium battery to power it and it will involve  welding a fixing point/plate for the motor but apart from that and controller and twist throttle nothing else on the bike needs to change. J

A better forum to ask this on would be endless-sphere. https://endless-sphere.com/forums/

I dont think it would be too hard if you have the fab skills. that said, I would start with one of the cheap electric grom clones, and then just change the batteries to lithium.  If I was to do it, i would use a hub motor to keep it simple... however mounting a motor isnt too hard, it just limits the amount of battery you can fit.