Replacing motor

[JoeinJP]

My folding Ejoe Epik SE (2015 version) motor is getting a little louder as the miles add up (4K so not what I would think would affect it already?). Whine is enough to cause people to turn to see me pass them by! It's my commuting bike so I may purchase a second full size one for more comfortable recreational rides or just replace this, not yet decided. And so arises this question, can you replace a motor with a different brand, as long as it fits the spec, this being a rear hub geared motor (not sure of the 2015 brand as Ejoe went with Bafang with a later version?)

2015 e-Joe Epik SE Review

Price: $1599 | Model Year: 2015, 2016 | Folding electric bike offering a great combination of utility (fenders, rack, lights, suspension fork) at a low price Relatively powerful geared motor combined with an impressive battery capacity for good climbing and range Offers throttle mode for when...

electricbikereview.com

May be an option to replace motor than the bike, if it can be done ~ $800 or so, if this is the problem. Short term measure I realize.

Questions:
other reasons for a louder motor, other than wear and tear?
Any 350-500 w rear hub geared motor work? Or does the manufacturer matter?
Would I need to upgrade battery if upgrading to 500w.

I would have a capable LBS do this for me.
Looking for any experts to tell me why this is not a good idea, technically.
Thanks!

 

[AHicks]

Geared rear hubs often get noisy when the grease has dried up and/or slung off the gears allowing them to run dry. It may be in your best interest to get the motor you have serviced before considering a new one.

I'm shy about LBS, mostly because I do all of my own work. An LBS could really rake you over the coals on something like this. So let me just say this, I bought one of the most powerful gear driven rear hubs available on the aftermarket, pre-laced to a 26" rim, for about 500. (btw, it runs nearly silent). It took me an afternoon to install. I am not a professional, but would consider myself a skilled DIY'er. Pushing 70 too, so I work at an old man's pace. I would be scared to ask what a LBS might charge for a job like this, and that's assuming you can even find one that's interested in doing the job. -Al

 

[indianajo]

My $221 generic geared hub motor, the side without the wires comes off with six screws. Under there is the gears. You can put more grease on them. I did. I used #2 lithium grease for car wheel bearings.
My hub motor was thumping, originally I thought the bearing was going bad. It was only the cover screws coming loose. Blue loktite helps, but doesn't stop the screws from coming loose. I carry a phillips screwdriver since I ride 37 miles from the LBS (which doesn't work on electric bikes). I've got about 4000 miles on it.
As far a other motors, the hall effect connector would have to match. The blue yellow green phase wires can usually be easily spliced. Easier just to buy a new power wheel, with motor, controller, throttle, brake switches, pas pickup, all matching. About $300 these days. Then you just splice the battery wires with crimp terminals. the hard part is getting the crank arm off to replace the PAS pickup. I have 6 automotive/industrial pullers & a wedge shaped ball joint fork & I've never got a bike crank off, except the one piece ones from the 70's to 90's huffy's & schwinn's.