Electric Motor

Since the weight of this puppy is probably gonna be pushing 200+ lbs I figured an electric motor would be quite handy when trying to ascend ANY sort of incline.  To keep things simple, I opted for an electric motor kit meant for a bicycle and adapted it for my rig.  I went with a kit from cyclone-usa.com which included a 500W motor w with controller, gearbox and 14T Freewheel Sprocket; mounting brackets and bolts; a 44 tooth freewheeling chainwheel and crank arms (see previous post for installation); brakes with motor cutoffs; and a battery connection harness.  

I mounted the motor as close to the rear drive as possible to minimize the slack between the two.  With the makeshift brackets, we'll see how well she holds up.

Bottom Brack Freewheel

While I wait for wheels to be finished...I've started working on the electric motor setup.  This means I need a freewheel on the bottom bracket if I want to run the electric motor without pedaling.  Also, since this started life as a "beach cruiser" type bike, it's got a 1-piece crankset...which is pretty tough to work with if you want to do any sort of modification.
Here's what it looks like:

 

Now, in order to run a threaded bottom bracket, I needed to buy a cruiser to threaded conversion kit; and to install it, I needed to remove the old cranks, and bust out the old cups.  

Now that these are removed (may require some grinding if tack welded in place; mine were not) as well as any excess paint or crud; I can install the conversion kit.  Remember to line up the screws before pounding this bad boy into place!  Dun-did that before...

Once the conversion kit is in place, you're all set up to run threaded cranks!  Freewheeled bottom bracket FTW!  This freewheel crankset came in the electric motor kit I purchased from cyclone-usa.com

We'll be rolling soon!