Twin motor trike custom build

[Road Ruler]

Good day. I'm considering building a dual motor trike.

The idea is to order two 1000w ebikes with full suspension.

Set the two bikes side by side and fasten together.
Cut the front halves off, take one front end and reposition it in the center of the two rears, secure.

It would have two wheel, twin motors, eack powered by their own battery and controller.

Is this dosble or will I have glitches??

Thnxs for your thoughts.

 

[why?]

It sounds like too much work (frustration), and not much fun to get it to your satisfaction.

Why not just get a 48v etrike with 7-speed derailleur (eg: Addmotor, Mooncool, Lectric XP). then make your own modifications to suit your interests. Should be more than enuf for your enjoyment.

As for me 15mph is more than enuf for an etrike with a narrow rearend (24" to 30"). Besides some pedal power is good exercise. Twin 1000w motors powered by their own battery and controller is more of a challenge than you bargained for or imagined. IMO, 2000 watts is overkill unless you;ve got alot of steep inclines to overcome along your journey.

 

[Road Ruler]

Good day W. It's in my DNA to break away from the norms, cross lines, and turn the imagination loose. For example, back in the day I combined a bsa frame with the back half of a vw. This trike was a blast to drive.

 

[gromike]

If you haven't already done so, check out https://endless-sphere.com/ . It's oriented more to the builder, and building an etrike is trending.

 

[Road Ruler]

If you haven't already done so, check out https://endless-sphere.com/ . It's oriented more to the builder, and building an etrike is trending.

Thxs gromike. Looks like a very interesting site.

 

[PCeBiker]

A lot of members here on the forum "build" their own ebikes, but they rarely build the frame itself.

I think that you're better off buying, or building your own frame then add parts to it, which may include a couple ebikes, or ebike kits, or "bricked" ebikes that people can't sell.

Then you can pick and choose exactly what you want for your trike.

I suppose you could be a complete purist and start with mining your own ore, but that gets pretty involved with all the smelting, ingots, and hydroforming of your frame pieces.

 

[why?]

To make your ebike legal you need pedals, crank, chain/belt drive for one of the rear wheels. Otherwise without pedals you'd need to get a license; especially if you plan on speeds exceeding 28 mph.

You could save yourself some money, intensive (sometimes frustrating) labor and start enjoying rides instead of waiting months until completed to your satisfaction. Besides half of the fun is making modifications on an existing etrike (with pedals); otherwise yours would be considered a scooter so need it licensed to make it street legal ... or buy expensive 60v 2000w 40Ah escooter (licensed) ...

 

[jabberwocky]

I mean, if you just want a unique project, go for it. I think the main issue you'll have is two completely independent drivetrains that were not designed to work together is going to take some doing to actually make them give power at identical rates. Otherwise you'll have some weird torque steer going on. Its theoretically solvable (lots of electric cars have motors driving individual wheels) but the amount of work it will take to solve, well, I have no idea. The recommendation of endless sphere is a good one, lots of mad scientists doing questionable stuff there.

Most FS ebikes are aluminum, so make sure you understand what cutting up and rewelding thin wall aluminum frames entails. You have to be a skilled TIG welder and generally have to re-heat treat the frame afterwards (which is why most aluminum bike frame failures are not rewelded). Finding a steel donor would help.

If you just want a fast trike with suspension, I'd probably try and grab an already figured out trike (Catrike Dumont, ICE Full Fat, Sunseeker Fat Tad, etc) and toss a Bafang mid drive of whatever power flavor you want on it. Would be a much simpler project, but may not scratch the "I want a crazy project" itch.

 

[Road Ruler]

I mean, if you just want a unique project, go for it. I think the main issue you'll have is two completely independent drivetrains that were not designed to work together is going to take some doing to actually make them give power at identical rates. Otherwise you'll have some weird torque steer going on. Its theoretically solvable (lots of electric cars have motors driving individual wheels) but the amount of work it will take to solve, well, I have no idea. The recommendation of endless sphere is a good one, lots of mad scientists doing questionable stuff there.

Most FS ebikes are aluminum, so make sure you understand what cutting up and rewelding thin wall aluminum frames entails. You have to be a skilled TIG welder and generally have to re-heat treat the frame afterwards (which is why most aluminum bike frame failures are not rewelded). Finding a steel donor would help.

If you just want a fast trike with suspension, I'd probably try and grab an already figured out trike (Catrike Dumont, ICE Full Fat, Sunseeker Fat Tad, etc) and toss a Bafang mid drive of whatever power flavor you want on it. Would be a much simpler project, but may not scratch the "I want a crazy project" itch.

Yes, pedals for sure. Luv a challenge. I also have an etrike and an ebike already so something to ride while the new plan is being built.

I mean, if you just want a unique project, go for it. I think the main issue you'll have is two completely independent drivetrains that were not designed to work together is going to take some doing to actually make them give power at identical rates. Otherwise you'll have some weird torque steer going on. Its theoretically solvable (lots of electric cars have motors driving individual wheels) but the amount of work it will take to solve, well, I have no idea. The recommendation of endless sphere is a good one, lots of mad scientists doing questionable stuff there.

Most FS ebikes are aluminum, so make sure you understand what cutting up and rewelding thin wall aluminum frames entails. You have to be a skilled TIG welder and generally have to re-heat treat the frame afterwards (which is why most aluminum bike frame failures are not rewelded). Finding a steel donor would help.

If you just want a fast trike with suspension, I'd probably try and grab an already figured out trike (Catrike Dumont, ICE Full Fat, Sunseeker Fat Tad, etc) and toss a Bafang mid drive of whatever power flavor you want on it. Would be a much simpler project, but may not scratch the "I want a crazy project" itch.

Jabber... you covered a lot of points to consider. My buddy recently bought a jansno 50, steel frame. It was $1,050 cdn delivered. The bike was a deal. Runs great.
Was considering using 2 if them for the project. Price is up. Still thinking on it.

 

[why?]

Yes, pedals for sure. Luv a challenge.

Why?

You already have a very nice ebike and etrike that others probably envy.
After it's all said and done you may still prefer riding your existing etrike more often.

Find an interesting and challenging hobby instead of such a labor intensive and expensive time consuming PROJECT.

 

[jabberwocky]

Why?

You already have a very nice ebike and etrike that others probably envy.
After it's all said and done you may still prefer riding your existing etrike more often.

Why not? Everyone has to have a hobby. Obviously if you just want something to ride, buying two FS bikes and glomping them together into some sort of frankenstein monster makes zero sense, but sometimes building something ridiculous is just fun.

 

[PCeBiker]

buying two FS bikes and glomping them together into some sort of frankenstein monster makes zero sense,

It makes sense to me.
I've been building Frankencrap since I was a kid, but I suck at welding so I can't do that part.

I love the rake angle on @Road Ruler 's ebike.
It's what I grew up with, and I hate the quick steering of my POS mountain bike.
I wanted to cut the steerer tube off and weld it back on at a better angle, but I couldn't pull that off, so I cut the bottom tube, torched the top tube, and took the sledge hammer to it.
Then I reconnected the bottom tube with a piece of pipe,..

My chainstay has holes burned through it where I practiced some welding, then I gave up.

The top tube already had a bend in it, so it was easy to bend it more.

 

[PCeBiker]

I did a bit of research and found out that I'm just a slacker, and have always been a slacker.
I not only got used to a floppy wheel, I like it !!

I could always figure out how to flop around going slowly without quick steering.

I think I'll need a downhill mountain bike frame to get the angle I want?

The only disadvantage that I recall is having to lean way out over the handlebars when you go up a steep hill so you don't flip over backwards as easily, but I just got used to that.

At least I wasn't forced to lean forward all the time like on my ten-speed.

 

[Road Ruler]

Why not? Everyone has to have a hobby. Obviously if you just want something to ride, buying two FS bikes and glomping them together into some sort of frankenstein monster makes zero sense, but sometimes building something ridiculous is just fun.

Forsure, it's just my thing i guess.
Example.... years ago I wanted to build a franken sports car. My vision pointed me to a donor car.... a 2 year old AMC Pacer.

Bought one and the neighbour's were in auh when I cut the roof off a perfectly good car.

5 years later this rolled put of my garage.
Not to shabby.

 

[why?]

.Can envison you building a HD utilitarian Cargo eTrike ... with pedals if only for looks ...

Heavy Duty eTrike

This is my first ever eBike or eTrike project and I just love the outcome. I can use this trike to carry me, another adult and a kid or sometimes I use it to run errands or to carry heavy toolboxes, full gas cans etc around my warehouse. I get 20 miles on one charge and Ive had it up to 30mph on...

endless-sphere.com

This DIYer is one of the most all-around knowledgeable when it comes to custom builds ...

Amberwolf's Schwinn Trike Rebuild / Conversion to Heavy Cargo Hauler

From here: https://endless-sphere.com/sphere/threads/the-sb-cruiser-amberwolfs-2wd-heavy-cargo-trike-dog-carrier.67833/post-1827806 I got an old Schwinn Tri-Wheeler Town and Country (probably the 1971 or 75 or 78 model, based on info from bikehistory.org) from someone I knew from the...

endless-sphere.com

 

[PCeBiker]

Good day. I'm considering building a dual motor trike.

My vision pointed me to a donor car.... a 2 year old AMC Pacer.

What about a donor gas powered trike?

You could convert it to electric, or use just the frame to start a build?

Metal frames of yesteryear are easier to weld too.

Then just buy a good motor or two and start building from the wheels up.

Check out Grin . CA

Grin All-Axle Hub, Single Side Build

Custom build of a Single Side All-Axle Hub Motor, for Trikes, Quads etc. Full Product Information Page

ebikes.ca

They've got everything you'll need to build a quality trike of whatever you dream up without spending the first 4 years of your next creation fixing crap.

They say that you can't polish a turd but you can roll it in glitter.

I don't want to wait 5 years to see your creation, and I hope that it's not just shiny .


I have to avoid the website myself, because I want one or ten of just about everything they sell.