VRX500 retrofit?

[Toynut]

Hello everyone, first posting on this forum.
I am considering an e bike conversion on my little used VRX500, possibly a mid drive or a rear hub kit. Due to the rather odd frame/ chassis configuration of this particular bike, I was wondering if it is worth the effort

(I am still trying to find a kickstand retrofit for it)? I would want the installation to look as clean as possible taking into consideration that it is not a hard tail , and the odd geometry of the frame tubes may make a rear rack a tough proposition. The components on the bike are(were) top notch during it's day ( I believe the bike and the add ones ran me about $3k when I bought it new), and the bike has seen very little use, as my family never got into bicycling ( not much fun riding alone). I am willing to spend a grand or so to update this dated but reliable machine, but, if not realistic, I will spend a few grand on a new bike and try to find a good home for this one. My plans are to use it for mostly city and vacation riding on our generally flat ( with occasional hills), Michigan roads. If my wife would consider an e bike ( very little riding in our 30 years of marriage), I would definitely be up for buying a pair of e bikes to take on road trips. Any suggestions to steer me in the right direction?

 

[stevenast]

Welcome! Maybe a front-wheel conversion due to the geometry of your bike? However, my best guess is, you might do better getting a factory e-bike.
Nothing wrong with keeping the full suspension bike as it is; I know after riding an e-bike, that I still enjoy riding a conventional bike sometimes too...

 

[grench]

I would also suggest a purpose built bike. You don't sound like a hobbiest so spend time riding. You can get into a nice bike in the 2-3k range.

 

[Toynut]

I would also suggest a purpose built bike. You don't sound like a hobbiest so spend time riding. You can get into a nice bike in the 2-3k range.

In all actuality, I am quite the tinkerer and have a warehouse full of motorized toys . Quite frankly, my forum name fits me to a "T" as a touch of ADD and an understanding wife have allowed me to accumulate several lifetimes worth of hobbies. I am recently retired at age 56 and am looking to add some fairly harmless and healthy diversions to keep me busy and involved. Your cost estimate is on track for a decent ride, I am just trying to make sure I don't just add to my collection of little used toys.

 

[grench]

In all actuality, I am quite the tinkerer and have a warehouse full of motorized toys . Quite frankly, my forum name fits me to a "T" as a touch of ADD and an understanding wife have allowed me to accumulate several lifetimes worth of hobbies. I am recently retired at age 56 and am looking to add some fairly harmless and healthy diversions to keep me busy and involved. Your cost estimate is on track for a decent ride, I am just trying to make sure I don't just add to my collection of little used toys.

It seems I missed with my comment...sry 4 that.
I still think there is a choice: you can have a hobby building something to ride or a hobby riding something already built. Some on this forum do both. Good luck either way. I can tell you my wife has started riding more and has more fun due to the EBike. We need to buy another one as I don't stand a chance with her on mine!

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

In all actuality, I am quite the tinkerer and have a warehouse full of motorized toys . Quite frankly, my forum name fits me to a "T" as a touch of ADD and an understanding wife have allowed me to accumulate several lifetimes worth of hobbies. I am recently retired at age 56 and am looking to add some fairly harmless and healthy diversions to keep me busy and involved. Your cost estimate is on track for a decent ride, I am just trying to make sure I don't just add to my collection of little used toys.

It has a gull-arm swing arm design that is quite similar to Lapierre Overvolt (pictured below).
You should be able to convert that to an Ebike with a BBS-02 500W mid drive kit shown here. You can also use a MAC Motor rear hub and use a frame bag to carry the batteries. I use this bag on my other Full suspension ebike, it is one of the best looking, sexiest frame bags.

(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

An ebiker I know, Sam in Australia does brilliant conversions. take a look at this GT Fury converted into an ebike.

If you want more info on how to go about this build, I will be happy to help and put you in touch with the right people who can assist you do it.
Also, you can get phenomenal range with 50V, 18Ah battery ~ 80 to 100 miles when paired with BBS-02 500W motor.

 

[Toynut]

I was thinking of the BbS kit as well for simplicity's sake, and to avoid running cables along a moving swing arm. I believe I can fit a seat post mounted tail rack to hold a battery and possibly the bulky electrics, and run the wiring to the bars along the bottom of the top tube (although I do like your tank bag idea). I currently have Stroker Ryde hydraulic master cylinders ( replaced the factory units) installed and am wondering if the BBS kits need some kind of switched brake levers to cut the power while braking? I am about 5'11" and am currently around 225, will the 500W kit suffice or should I go with one of their bigger (higher wattage) kits?
I need to see what clearance issues (if any) I might encounter with the control arm pivot points and the Fox lower shock links which are both mounted on the main frame tube just forward and up of the crankset.
Are there any knowledgeable, and reputable vendors that you can steer me to that have experience with these less than standard conversions?
Again, thank you for your time and efforts.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

I was thinking of the BbS kit as well for simplicity's sake, and to avoid running cables along a moving swing arm. I believe I can fit a seat post mounted tail rack to hold a battery and possibly the bulky electrics, and run the wiring to the bars along the bottom of the top tube (although I do like your tank bag idea). I currently have Stroker Ryde hydraulic master cylinders ( replaced the factory units) installed and am wondering if the BBS kits need some kind of switched brake levers to cut the power while braking? I am about 5'11" and am currently around 225, will the 500W kit suffice or should I go with one of their bigger (higher wattage) kits?
I need to see what clearance issues (if any) I might encounter with the control arm pivot points and the Fox lower shock links which are both mounted on the main frame tube just forward and up of the crankset.
Are there any knowledgeable, and reputable vendors that you can steer me to that have experience with these less than standard conversions?
Again, thank you for your time and efforts.

http://www.lectriccycles.com/

These guys are very knowledgeable and deal with Bafang directly.
If there are tolerance issues with the BB, better to go MAC route. Simple and clean.