Front dropout fortification

[Ccount]

As you may know, I added a 1000w front hub motor to my Rad Runner. I began to have some concerns about the strength of the dropouts, which appear to be cast aluminum, and are not very "meaty". I read some other reports where it may be unsafe to install a hub motor EITHER on a sprung fork front end, OR on a fork which was not designed to handle one. So I ordered 2 of these, and bolstered up the dropouts, and feel much more secure. I would probably install at least one even if I did not have a suspension fork OR a hub motor up front! Inexpensive and easy to install!

If you are curious, the red thing is a twist handle for a hose clamp, and the steel rod coming up from the left and under the clamp is my fender strut.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C7J1ZD7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Terry777]

What motor is on the back? Your front end will take off like in the cartoons! 1000w wowee!

 

[AHicks]

Check this out. He's running 2 torque arms with about the same kind of power, and STILL having issues -

Fork Dropout Spreading ?

Hello , My third ebike Electra Townie 26 inch so I can now touch the ground from the seated position ... All is going pretty well till tonite when I changed the front tire ...I have a Magic Pie 5 1000 watts on the front ....Soooo I noticed the dropout seemed a little wider and the motor "axel"...

electricbikereview.com

 

[Terry777]

I have 1000w in the middle of my bike, I know hub v’s mid and all that argument but it sits me right the fk down when I poke it even a little.
Even if it was a piss poor 1000w hub it must still have a bit of go in it? God knows if it’s a decent one! I’d love to have a go, that thing must pull like a train? 750 hub in the rear too? Holy moly!

 

[AHicks]

Probably just the ticket for snow and deep sand....

 

[Ccount]

My setup is working well! The front 1000w motor is not very "torquey", but it does get me up to over 30 MPH alone on pavement. It is sufficient in the sand to keep me going straight (enough) and not bogging into the sand. I think the rear wheel still does most of the propulsion in the sand. There is very little weight over the front tire, so it does spin easily if over gassed! With out there being much torque, I think the reinforcement I have will be adequate. My main intent was to get through soft sand on the beach, and it works marvelously, hitting both throttles. One issue I have not fixed is that I apparently installed the front fender backwards, and it looks fine, but i get a good spray of sand back on me if that front wheel spins! I have a true 750 watt Baffang motor on rear, and get 24 mph, but it literally pops a wheelie if not careful, if you floor it. It has PLENTY of torque! I have tried running both simultaneously at full throttle from a standing start, but the battery cannot handle it, and I am guessing the BMS in the battery cuts everything off momentarily.

 

[Terry777]

What kind of weight is in the 1000w front hub?

 

[Ccount]

I would have to guess the weight of the wheel/hub combo in front and in rear about the same, perhaps less due to the lack of a gear set. Here is another photo of the front motor. The front hub is narrower, but larger in diameter. For whatever is is worth, I would not recommend this modification unless you have a real need, such as higher speeds, or transversing soft sand. I rarely use it otherwise...

 

[AHicks]

Just noticed that spoke lace pattern. Have never seen one done straight like that. They're always crossed?

 

[Terry777]

I would have to guess the weight of the wheel/hub combo in front and in rear about the same, perhaps less due to the lack of a gear set. Here is another photo of the front motor. The front hub is narrower, but larger in diameter. For whatever is is worth, I would not recommend this modification unless you have a real need, such as higher speeds, or transversing soft sand. I rarely use it otherwise...

Cool. Ty for the photo

 

[Banderboy]

Just noticed that spoke lace pattern. Have never seen one done straight like that. They're always crossed?

That pic reminds me of fake wire wheel covers for a car.