The electric bike is one of the most popular things of this era. Who doesn’t want to have an electric bike these days? It is a trending discussion among cyclists. Many cyclists already moved to an electric bike from their regular commuter, hybrid or mountain bike.

I know what are you thinking. Shouldn’t you also get an electric bike? How much a new electric bike cost? Can I buy one within my limited budget?

Well, an electric bike isn’t cheap. But don’t lose your hope yet. Though you might not be able to afford a new electric bike, you can make one. You can modify your conventional bike into an electric bike. A to Z of the process is right down below. Just keep going, in no time you will know all there is to transform a conventional bike into an electric bike.

What are the things you need to make an e-bike/electric bike?

You don’t need a lot of many things but what you must need are

A Bicycle Suitable to Be Motorize

The first thing you must have to make an electric bike is a normal bike. You don’t need any specific bicycle. Any type or kind of bicycle would do. But it’s better to choose a bicycle with a heavy frame as it has to bear some weight and speed. So, it’s better to choose a bicycle that can carry some extra weight.

If you want to ride your electric bike for riding off-road then you should choose an off-road bike to transform from. In this case, choosing a mountain bicycle is the best option. Full suspension is a must.

You also might need to change your wheel tires to a high-pressure type. Tire recommendation those between 35 to 65 psi.

Also, determine if the frame of the bike that is going to be transformed has enough space for attaching the motor and battery. The hollow space in the middle of the frame between the driver’s leg would do for the motor and for the battery you can use the rear space with a rear rack or carrier.

Getting The Appropriate Starter Motor

There are lots of types of motor for making a conventional bike into an electric bike which usually has shaft output of bicycle wheel gear compatible with the chain. Getting the perfect motor that will perfectly fit is impossible and complicated. But the 250 to 300 watts ones from any motorcycle parts shop will not only do the trick but also do the job just fine.

Getting Batteries for Recommended Capacity

Batteries will be the powerhouse of your electric bike. You should know the required voltage for the motor and other parts of your bike before getting batteries. Usually, 24 to 36 volts are very often used in electric bikes. Getting multiple batteries instead of one to get recommended voltage is a must though it takes more space.

It is a must to be the capacity of the battery one-ampere hour for every one mile (1.6km) almost in a 3-bolt system. And all things should be connected with wire perfectly that doesn’t loosen or hang here there.

And finally, a charger is another must to charge these batteries, you can also build a charging system upon your need at your cycling docking place.

Hitching up Controllers and Switch and Wires

A motor controller is a device that will be the control center of your whole electric bicycle’s mechanism. It controls the motor by regulating a specific amount of energy into the motor. Turning off the motor and turning it on is the main work of the controller. You can also add some switches and lights to it to turn those on and off accordingly.

Attaching an Accelerator

The accelerator and controller are not the same. These are two different things. The accelerator controls the motor’s output power. For speeding up and down it is a must to have. Getting one with “Hall Effect” is recommended which can help you to control the speed of your bike.

Now you are neat and full with all the parts you need. But afterward?

How to make an e-bike/electric bike?

After getting all the parts at your hand and right into the making of a perfect electric bike.

Making Connection Between Batteries

Batteries can be connected in a series. You have to connect the positive (+) ports of a battery to the negative ports (-) of another.

Also, you can connect Batteries in a parallel way. Connect all the positive ports and negative ports differently and it is done.

Hitching the Motor into the Bicycle Frame

Now it’s time to attach the motor to the frame. The triangle hollow space of the frame is the perfect space to set everything up especially the motor. You can use a drill the make some holes to attach the motor in a position from where it won’t touch your body. The position can be anywhere but choose a place from where you can connect the chain from the engine to a crankshaft sprocket. And for cogwheel, it depends on the alignment.

Checking Everything

You can test the engine by spanning it alone with the chain around the crankshaft wheel. Usually, the master link is used to connect the two ends of a chain. Thus, keep in mind to position the motor correctly. Though it shouldn’t be adjusted but reliable. If it stays loose or slippery, it could fall while accelerating anywhere anytime.

Keeping the motor Firm

You can use a marker to mark the place where you want to place both motor and generator into your bike. You must screw the engine to the plate attached to the bike frame’s tube at least at three points to keep it firm. Use another plate to hold the motor.

Mounting the Accelerator

It is easy to mount an accelerator. Select a thin and stiff part between handle and handlebar then pour a mixture of water and dishwashing detergent through the coat rack. It will take the liquid down into the handlebar.

Pushing the Compressor to the handlebar

You will find the details in the manual that comes with the compressor on how to push and attach it.

Linking The Throttle Cable and Cable Motor

• The first thing to do after making the connection is turning the bike upside down and getting the motor started to see if it operates well.
• Make a connection between the battery and the generator.
• You can use washers if you face any problem with chain alignment.

FAQs

Can I use a starter as a motor?

Yes, it may work. Starter motors are made for rough environments and torque. It could provide you with more power than you need. But other types of motor can give you more range and speed.

Which is the most suitable motor for an electric bike?

For Electric Bikes, three-phase motors are mostly used and meet all the required configurations.

How can I make a fully running electric bike at home?

With a 36-to-48-volt battery with a capacity worth 10Ah or 20Ah motor, you can make any type of bike into an electric bike. The basics are described above.

What is the recommended motor size for an electric bicycle?

Any motor around 250W or better will well for an electric bike. But if you want to use it to go up hills or you weigh more then you might need one with a bit bigger size.

How can I make my Electric Bicycle Faster?

You can increase the volt of the batteries if your controller can handle it. It will increase both the acceleration and speed of your bike. But you shouldn’t increase more than the recommended volt.

Final Words

That’s all the basics you need to know to make an electric bike with a starter motor. We hope it will be a much useful guide to you while building an electric bike on your own. But it is recommended to take help from an expert as the building requires much more experience and expertise. Though you can’t tell what you need and face but building an Electric bike is as easy as described above.