Gold E-Krate first project build.

[cloakedvillain]

Modern freewheels have ramped teeth so that the chain can ride on two cogs simultaneously, making shifting much smoother. Old friction shifters work great with modern cogs and chain.

 

[slickdude]

Modern freewheels have ramped teeth so that the chain can ride on two cogs simultaneously, making shifting much smoother. Old friction shifters work great with modern cogs and chain.

Paul at the bike shop recommended I get a friction shifter, because the index shifter wasn't right for the "Frankenstein" derailleur setup I have bolted on. So waiting on "CRAPPY" Amazon to deliver. Out for delivery since 10:30am this morning and it's about 7 pm and shows almost here and nothing! I have had a lot of problems with Amazon. Threw order on the walkway near sidewalk and twice it was stolen. They had to make good on a replacement. When the porch was only 15 feet away. One guy threw the order on the front lawn where it could be stolen, not on the porch. It has been frustrating indeed. Well, hopefully tomorrow I'll get this going and the rear brake and maybe a rear fender. The Schwalbe Big Apple is a large tall fat tire and a fender on the back might not work, but going to try anyhow.

 

[slickdude]

Modern freewheels have ramped teeth so that the chain can ride on two cogs simultaneously, making shifting much smoother. Old friction shifters work great with modern cogs and chain.

Not sure how to setup the cable in the derailleur though. Wish there was instructions, probably are on YouTube so going there to see how to set it up on a Shimano.

 

[slickdude]

Friction shifter came in last night. Today going to get it mounted and hopefully running. I must tell you, I was tempted to swap out the cassette for a traditional 5 speed and add a sunray derailleur (short cage) plus the spoke protector Schwinn uses only sprayed gold to add that 5 speed stick shift, very tempting. But with 7 speeds I also get more out of the PAS and that tradeoff has to be weighed as well. So, that being the case, I'll probably stick with this setup for now. Should have the derailleur working by later today, rear fender workaround installed and gold painted plus the rear gold caliper brake too.

Since the ebike axle is a 1/2 inch it was suggested to me to try and get an adapter for a moped axle for the disc brake mount. I'll have to look into that as I really wanted a working disc in the back for better stopping power.

 

[slickdude]

Rear brake Caliper painted Gold, working on a short flared rear fender which will be in matching gold paint to the front fender.

 

[slickdude]

Rear fender mount next week. Tomorrow the cable ends for the shifter cable arrive as well as the chain guard which will have to be painted and then logo applied. Might be more than a month before I can get the compact battery to get this working.

Also, the sissy bar I had gotten with shocks was a gold 34" and too big. Going to order a 24" gold. Had considered the 28" but I think the 24" gold will allow me to lower the seat enough to get on and ride comfortably. Still toying with installing the schwalbe tire on the front for better rolling resistance issues as well as boost the front height by about 1/2 to 3/4 inch taller. Every little bit helps.

 

[slickdude]

Updates: First the computer has been repositioned and the handlebar secured a bit tighter.

Next the rear brake caliper installed and adjusted but this is temporary. I'll have to unbolt it to install the rear fender which is the next item up on the agenda for this weekend or early next week. I also have precedent thanks to Pedal Chopper. They used a cut shortened fender and this should work as well. Longer fender posts for the rear fender will probably have to be purchased to raise it a bit over the large balloon Schwalbe Big Apple tire. Between the front brake and this one, it should be fine for stopping power.

A look below at the setup for the new friction shifter. I had debated whether to move it closer to the grip and the thumb throttle for the ebike out to the left of the thumb shifter. What do you think?

Next up, the chain cover (with logo) are installed already bringing this project to a closer soon. (FINALLY! A GOLD MASCOT!!)

The bike overall Picture 1, yes the cabling for the shifter still has to be done, buy hey, we're almost there.

And photo #2 the wheel turned the opposite direction. A shame I couldn't get a stick on this one, but it is still Schwinn protocol in regards to the thumb shifter as Schwinn did go that route on Krates and Fastbacks after the iconic lawsuit. Yes, I am considering a SCHWINN logo on the front of the steering tube as well. Had been looking for a black and gold one. I could also print a black one on the laser using clear sticky paper and cut and apply that on the steering tube. Then it would be black on gold. Not hard to fashion in Photoshop on my old XP which still works.

and finally, the precedent for a shorter rear fender...checkout the Orange E-Krate below by Pedal Chopper. Note how they did the rear fender in the photo. I am probably going to do this too.

 

[slickdude]

The current Sissybar will be replaced with a 24" gold sissybar with shocks. The current one is a 34" inch sissybar (My Bad - the pitfalls of making quick decisions for the uninformed) and this should fix the seating issue allowing me to lower it significantly.

 

[slickdude]

Working today on the derailleur cabling setup and rear fender. Question, how does the rear fender bolt in, below the bolt for the rear caliper and on which side forward or backward.

 

[Chainlube]

Working today on the derailleur cabling setup and rear fender. Question, how does the rear fender bolt in, below the bolt for the rear caliper and on which side forward or backward.

So many different ways for them to attach. There should be a tab that sandwiches between the frame and brake caliper for the front, or there could be a little tab at the bottom bracket, if you have a full fender. The rear probably mounts to the sissy bar some how.