Electra Townie - First Motorized Bike Build

[twojs]

And then you'll want a dual brake and thumb throttle from a kids atv, or something like tha

My plan was to use two brake levers and use a thumb shifter for the clutch. I have a lot of spare bike parts. I’m not sure the thumb shifter for clutch will work, but I don’t see why not. I like the idea of separate brake levers for front and rear for full redundancy.

Also, I should mention I got interested in this because someone brought me a kit bike that needed to be repaired. I had to center a rag kit sprocket (pita), replaced the chain, replaced a bunch of Chinese bolts, rebuilt the coaster brake and added front brake. So I have a little experience here, but not much. That bike was built on a Walmart quality beach cruiser. But it seems that is what the kits are designed to fit.

 

[DAMIEN1307]

Appreciate all the help. I’m not ready to give up on the Townie yet. I like a challenge. If I do give up, I have a Chicago built Schwinn Heavy Duti and a Worksman in my pile of bike projects I could pick from.

I do have the CNC adapter for the sprocket that will fit a Shimano e110 coaster hub if I go that route.

Back to the townie. I found this YouTube video and the guy figures out a shim to go from a 1.5 in motor mount to 1.38 in. (38mm to 35mm). Looks easy enough. That will get me half way there. That will work for my seat tube (rear mount)


View: https://youtu.be/RcVDFJuio0w?si=ezTUpxjc7BE4rj8w


Still need to figure out the front mount. And not sure if they are going to be long enough.

That will cause vibrations. You can make one. Order a split shaft collar the right size, and make the T section that bolts to the engine. I'm in the middle of reworking mine

I also made my own front motor mount so I could custom fit it to my bike, it is using a very high grade aluminum that I got from my friendly neighbourhood Air Force Base...lol...lol.

It is made from 7075 T-6 military jet aircraft grade aluminum, same with the rear disk brake caliper adapter that was made from the left over aluminum...lol.

 

[Gordy]

My plan was to use two brake levers and use a thumb shifter for the clutch. I have a lot of spare bike parts. I’m not sure the thumb shifter for clutch will work, but I don’t see why not. I like the idea of separate brake levers for front and rear for full redundancy.

Also, I should mention I got interested in this because someone brought me a kit bike that needed to be repaired. I had to center a rag kit sprocket (pita), replaced the chain, replaced a bunch of Chinese bolts, rebuilt the coaster brake and added front brake. So I have a little experience here, but not much. That bike was built on a Walmart quality beach cruiser. But it seems that is what the kits are designed to fit.

A coaster brake and fenders on a motorized bike is deadly.

 

[twojs]

Order a split shaft collar the right size, and make the T section that bolts to the engine.

Not sure what you are referring to. Do you have a link?

Aluminum frames crack and break on motorised bikes.

I have read mixed opinions on this. The Electra is aluminum, but it is a high quality frame made by trek. Sold by trek dealers. Definitely not a Walmart bike. I’m not saying you are wrong, only that I specifically looked for a high quality frame for this project.

 

[DAMIEN1307]

That bike was built on a Walmart quality beach cruiser.

Which is exactly why we recommend only one Wally World beach cruiser to build these things on...lol.
Extremely strong and rugged Hyper beach cruiser...I have been running that frame now for 5 years and no problems at all with the frame even with a Phantom 85 which is like double the normal horsepower of the run of the mill China Girl motors which are between 2.5 to 3 HP...Gordy and muyself both have Phantoms at 5 to 6 HP, I own two of the P-85s and still running strong.

 

[Gordy]

Not sure what you are referring to. Do you have a link?

The T section like the CNC mount has can be made, and then a split shaft collar for agriculture equipment can be used to clamp to the front tube

 

[DAMIEN1307]

Not sure what you are referring to. Do you have a link?

I have read mixed opinions on this. The Electra is aluminum, but it is a high quality frame made by trek. Sold by trek dealers. Definitely not a Walmart bike. I’m not saying you are wrong, only that I specifically looked for a high quality frame for this project.

I am happy for you then that you know more than the metalurgists I talk to almost daily at the Air Force Base and the White Sands Missile Proving Range.

I'm old and retired myself as I was also an ASE certified master mechanic back in the day...lol..., but this is my go-to group of friends that taught me alot about the inherent problems of bicycle aluminum which is NOT good enough for motorised bicycle usage.

I hope you have good experiences with yours, Good Luck.

 

[twojs]

So you are using adapters for disc brakes? One of the reasons I didn’t want a beach cruiser is because I didn’t want a coaster brake.

 

[Gordy]

So you are using adapters for disc brakes? One of the reasons I didn’t want a beach cruiser is because I didn’t want a coaster brake.

Damien and I have both made our own

IMG_20250211_192307068.jpg

• Gordy
• Feb 11, 2025

 

[twojs]

I am happy for you then that you know more than the metalurgists I talk to almost daily at the Air Force Base and the White Sands Missile Proving Range.

I'm old and retired myself as I was also an ASE certified master mechanic back in the day...lol..., but this is my go-to group of friends that taught me alot about the inherent problems of bicycle aluminum which is NOT good enough for motorised bicycle usage.

I hope you have good experiences with yours, Good Luck.

Dude. I never said I knew more than anyone. I came asking for help.

Maybe I am misreading your tone. I’m just asking questions and communicating.

Let me know if I’m not welcome.