A Polaris Terrain E-bike just popped up locally, but with a little problem

[Eviltwin]

One just showed up locally. Looks really nice in the pictures. But... Description says it was pushed off a pier and that means salt water.

From the ad:

The controller and the display are not working now. The battery was brand new on the bike 400.00 but I have an excellant condition spare. Some one with basic electrical skills can fix what's wrong and u have a battery that's excellant.

I did some quick research, Polaris doesnt make bikes anymore, nor are there any spare original parts and they were very expensive to boot. Bike is a 2015 model year. So my thought was that this is probably a complete take apart and rebuild with new hub motor, battery, the works. Also would have to take everything apart and check for corrosion damage: Front hub, headset, crank, brakes and cables, fork. A fairly big job. Figure about 7-800 just in new parts maybe?

I wont post what his ask is, but what would be a reasonable offer for the bike, treating it as pretty much a frame with some possible good parts? Or is this just a crazy idea altogether.

Thanks in advance

Bob

 

[ElevenAD]

More trouble than its worth imo, you say they no longer make replacement parts and the company no longer makes bikes and its been dunked in the ocean! No good can come of this imho, there are better donor frames around for sure.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Not with a 10' pole.

 

[Eviltwin]

I had a fairly long conversation with the owner this afternoon. Bike was pushed off a pier, he pulled it out, rinsed it off. Says he sprayed everything with wd40. Says brakes, fork, wheels still spin fine. I told him it would probably cost around 800 for a kit and battery to convert it. He kept insisting that he had a spare working battery, but I tried to tell him that it was such a custom setup that it would be doubtful that the battery would work with anything except another Polaris/Pim bike. He agreed with me on the potential costs but says he mostly just wanted to see the bike go with someone who would hopefully fix it up. Not sure if that person is me. I have the skills but have enough projects going right now that I really dont need this but I keep wondering what if... But it is an interesting bike with a brushed aluminum finish.

 

[Eviltwin]

A few pictures that he sent me. Not quite the same as those in the original CL ad.

 

[ElevenAD]

I would not take that even if it was free.

 

[Deacon Blues]

Or is this just a crazy idea altogether.

YES!!!

 

[Eviltwin]

Boy, you guys are tough. Yeah I'm thinking along the same lines. I may have given him 100 bucks for it, but not much more.

 

[ruffruff]

Run run away fast. What's so special about that bike that you would want to put all that time, money and effort into it?

You have no idea if saltwater got in the frame, etc. Even on electrical connections just because they look clean doesn't mean they won't start corroding in the very near future. Not sure why you would put ANY money towards that with SOOO many potential issues. Even the $100....use that for seed money on your better option.

You can see the rust forming on the main connector already.

 

[ExPatBrit]

Vehicles that have been submerged in seawater due to coastal flooding are usually totaled by Insurance companies.

There are good reasons for that, however sometimes for high value classic cars it’s worth doing a 100% tear down clean and rebuild.

This orphan brand direct drive (older tech) e-bike is not a classic. Those bikes sell for very little even when in decent condition. I occasionally see brand new ones for cheap.