Converting a vintage bike to a badass ebike?

[bsingh897]

Im thinking of filling rebuilding this frame

Bafang motor 1000w
Dual battery setup
4 piston hydraulic brake
New fork
New suspension

Im very new to this process but I can figure thinks around. Just wondering if this would be ok to do with this vintage bike frame…

 

[JES2020]

Nice bike. You might need to think about where you will mount the two batteries. Other than that there is no reasson you couldn't use it.

 

[JES2020]

Pick another frame , try and find suspension setup for that frame. Ebike specific.
Let that bike be.
Find another frame on Craigslist or search the interweb.

What do you mean Ebike specific and why can't he use the suspension on this frame?

 

[bsingh897]

I was thinking mounting 1 where the bag is currently and one on the rear…

I would love to pair with someone to coach me on building this bike - I would def appreciate it and would pay for your time

 

[JES2020]

I was thinking mounting 1 where the bag is currently and one on the rear…

I would love to pair with someone to coach me on building this bike - I would def appreciate it and would pay for your time

There are a few helpful ppl on this site. Just post any questions you have, if I can answer them I will.
Yes you could add a rack for a second battery, Understand your center of gravity will be pretty high, unless you use lighter batteries.
You could just mount the one on the frame and carry a spare in a back pack for the longer rides.

 

[JES2020]

Ebikes are heavier, battery plus motor that’s 20 pounds additional weight. On brakes I must have hydraulic for safety. Cable brake lines are a thing of the past.
Tires you need standard wheel set. 27.5 or 29x2.6..
If the poster of this thread puts a motor on that frame. He will be riding 7miles and fixing for 7hours.

I disagree, Diamondbacks are well made bikes.
I converted a Trek 830 (26 inch wheels) and have no problems with the extra weight AND I still use center pull brakes , which allows me to skid to a stop. don't know how disk brakes would do any better.

 

[JES2020]

Brakes you can upgrade but suspension?
Okay I spoke too soon maybe there are suspension upgrade for it available.

Again, My DIY E Trek 830 has no stock suspension.

 

[bsingh897]

Go for it, make badass ebike. 26" rear wheel 27.5 front. Luna secret sauce motor. Go from here

I was actually thinking of doing the mid drive bafang conversation… that’s what I’m worried about if it would fit.

 

[rich c]

Vintage? That's funny! This is vintage, my older brother and me. I have that 1953 Schwinn in the garage.

 

[bsingh897]

Vintage? That's funny! This is vintage, my older brother and me. I have that 1953 Schwinn in the garage.

Love this! Lol

 

[bsingh897]

There are a few helpful ppl on this site. Just post any questions you have, if I can answer them I will.
Yes you could add a rack for a second battery, Understand your center of gravity will be pretty high, unless you use lighter batteries.
You could just mount the one on the frame and carry a spare in a back pack for the longer rides.

Hey Jes based on the photo above, what would be the process to converting these to disc brakes?

Also would love to step up to 27.5 wheels, currently they are 26. Is it simple as removing both 26. wheels and swapping them to a 27.5 rim and also upgrading the fork to that will fit a 27.5 rim?

So far my list would be:

1) Motor: Bafang Ebay 1000w
Bottom Bracket: Still unsure - I have to measure
Chain Wheel: Not sure the difference here but I believe the standard is 46T so I will just go with this
Battery: Panasonic 21700 cells batter

2) Brakes/Rotors: Would love to have some nice hydro brakes but unsure if it will work with this bike frame? What are your suggestions?

3) Fork: Any decent MTB forks you recommend? Trying to be budget-conscious. Mostly ride recreationally around my local trails

4) Drive Train: Want to fully change out the drive train, new derailer, cassette etc - Whatever you recommend

5) Rear suspension: Is the one currently installed good? Im open to upgrading this as well.

 

[harryS]

It's easy to put in hydraulic levers/cable/calipers, if you had the caliper mounts. To get the fronts, you can replace with a fork that takes disk brakes. To get the rear, there are brackets that bolt on. They can be fussy to attach them so you can drop the wheel like a regular bike, but if you put a motor there, it's become a fussy thing anyway.

Trouble is, your bike won't look so bad ass though with even one battery, much less two of them. There's no room for them, and they're gonna look like warts.

My vision of a bad ass bike is a cruiser. High bars. Front/rear disks. Dual leather panniers on the back. Batteries inside a faux tank around the center bar, or a pair of them inside the panniers..

 

[JES2020]

Hey Jes based on the photo above, what would be the process to converting these to disc brakes?

Also would love to step up to 27.5 wheels, currently they are 26. Is it simple as removing both 26. wheels and swapping them to a 27.5 rim and also upgrading the fork to that will fit a 27.5 rim?

So far my list would be:

1) Motor: Bafang Ebay 1000w
Bottom Bracket: Still unsure - I have to measure
Chain Wheel: Not sure the difference here but I believe the standard is 46T so I will just go with this
Battery: Panasonic 21700 cells batter

2) Brakes/Rotors: Would love to have some nice hydro brakes but unsure if it will work with this bike frame? What are your suggestions?

3) Fork: Any decent MTB forks you recommend? Trying to be budget-conscious. Mostly ride recreationally around my local trails

4) Drive Train: Want to fully change out the drive train, new derailer, cassette etc - Whatever you recommend

5) Rear suspension: Is the one currently installed good? Im open to upgrading this as well.

Harry has already answered for me on the brakes.

As far as the other goals, I'm the guy who tries to keep things as simple as possible.
If you are planning to put in a mid drive, that is out of my area of experience and very much more complicated than a simple hub motor. On top of that mid drives ARE very hard on the drive trains since all the power goes through it.

Of course if you absolutely have to have those changes that's fine...if it was my bike, I would leave it as is (it's a good bike with good components), add a rear geared hub same size wheel and one battery, have some fun, if you still want to make other changes you can do that piece by piece. But they are not necessary.
This is how I built my bike and I am VERY satisfied with the results.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Not trying to piss on your parade but you may want to slow down a bit.
This is not an ideal frame by far... And mostly due to battery placement.
In my opinion you have two choices. Build a very modest bike and learn.. or find a more suitable bike and go all in.
Anything can be done... But is it worth the time/cost if you don't end up with what you want or think it will be.
So if you want to learn...
I would go with the slightly more modest BBSO2B @750W if chain line is a decent fit.
One smaller (10-12ah) battery on the frame as you described (still far from ideal)
Then see how much more you are still interested in dumping money into this
I don't think you can fit a 27 on the rear
The current suspension can be upgraded to air but youll be locked into entry level on the front... and possibly the rear as well.
If you do the front fork, ok to add disc.. But I wouldn't try on the rear, especially since it is suspension. I'd just get the best rim brakes possible... and probably just do the same on the front.

This said... Start here with fit and chain line.

D is Bottom Bracket width option of the motor (68mm is typical)
F is chain line from center of Bottom Bracket

 

[bsingh897]

Ok perfect, will start to measure when I get

Not trying to piss on your parade but you may want to slow down a bit.
This is not an ideal frame by far... And mostly due to battery placement.
In my opinion you have two choices. Build a very modest bike and learn.. or find a more suitable bike and go all in.
Anything can be done... But is it worth the time/cost if you don't end up with what you want or think it will be.
So if if you want to learn...
I would go with the slightly more modest BBSO2B @750W if chain line is a decent fit.
One smaller (10-12ah) battery on the frame as you described (still far from ideal)
Then see how much more you are still interested in dumping money into this
I don't think you can fit a 27 on the rear
The current suspension can be upgraded to air but youll be locked into entry level on the front... and possibly the rear as well.
If you do the front fork, ok to add disc.. But I wouldn't try on the rear, especially since it is suspension. I'd just get the best rim brakes possible... and probably just do the same on the front.

This said... Start here with fit and chain line.
View attachment 120624

D is Bottom Bracket width option of the motor (68mm is typical)
F is chain line from center of Bottom Bracket

ok Ty. Will start to measure when I get back home. What drivetrain do you recommend/ chain that won’t bend or snap due to the power of the motor?

 

[Gionnirocket]

Ok perfect, will start to measure when I get

ok Ty. Will start to measure when I get back home. What drivetrain do you recommend/ chain that won’t bend or snap due to the power of the motor?

How do you plan on using the bike?
Meaning what will power the bike more, you or the motor?
Also what's on the rear now? Freewheel or cassette?
You're gonna be locked into what's on there now unless again you want to start dumping cash.
Sometimes your better off accepting and working within the parameters as is instead of trying to make a Ferrari out of a Fiat

 

[bsingh897]

I actually won’t be using this bike frame anymore, I will end up using this

Don’t care about much going into high speeds, just need something strong to go up hills when I’m in the trails and I would say 60 pedal 40 assist

 

[Gionnirocket]

I actually won’t be using this bike frame anymore, I will end up using this

Don’t care about much going into high speeds, just need something strong to go up hills when I’m in the trails and I would say 60 pedal 40 assist

I think again that you may want to slow down.
That's a hub motor, not as good for trails and definitely not as good on hills like a mid_drive.
And an entire bike and battery for <$750...I'd pass

 

[bsingh897]

I think again that you may want to slow down.
That's a hub motor, not as good for trails and definitely not as good on hills like a mid_drive.
And an entire bike and battery for <$750...I'd pass

Sorry let me clarify, I meant I already own that bike for 750 and wanted to discontinue using the hub motor and strip everything off and install the bafang mid motor 1000w and also upgrade the brakes

 

[bsingh897]

Thank you for everyone’s feedback. I have my eye on the Luna Z1 might be picking it up this week