vintage Worksman Mover tricycle electric build

I found an old Worksman Mover from the local Delphi plant at a barn sale a few weeks ago and the ideas started flowing. I wanted to build a daily vehicle to take me 4 miles to college and back at around a 15 mph average. Initially I had a 49cc moped concept using parts on hand. That quickly morphed into an e-trike build after fitment issues with the drive system on the initial mock-up.

I'll be using one of those 1kw 48V eBay e-bike motor/controller kits for the front wheel powered by four 12350 (12V / 35AH) batteries in series. I found three 12V / 1 A solar panels and a controller for a song on craigslist. I'll step that up to 48V and let it top off my batteries while I sit in classes. Add a big ol' inverter and this thing would be a proper off the grid power source.

Thinking this is the ticket with regard to registration barring the fact that my intended motor is 250 watts past moped status. It's really just an over marketed 500w anyway.

"4501-23-19
Assembly by person other than manufacturer.

Nothing in these rules and regulations shall prohibit a person other than a manufacturer from constructing, assembling, or equipping a vehicle so as to conform to the specifications of a motorized bicycle. Such person shall, however, comply with all of the rules contained in Chapter 4501-23 of the Administrative Code to the same extent as is necessary of a manufacturer."

Parts are in the mail and the build starts this week. More to come, including what I'll do with those solid rubber tires. I'll be sad to see that drum brake go but I didn't really need it when my top speed was 5.

 

[wheelbender6]

Those are some pretty stout spokes on the rear wheels.

 

[christw]

No joke! I've heard moped riders covet these for their above and beyond build quality. Good thing I know a lady who bought a lot of 48 of these.

 

[christw]

Batteries came in and I repurposed an old bike headlight. The battery/bed cover is drying at the moment but not much has gone on. Still waiting on those e-bike parts.

 

[Racie35]

Is that a falcon ranchero? 64-65?
I have a 67

 

[wheelbender6]

Wow. I really had to concentrate to find the Falcon. I would probably get a 61 or 62 Falcon for the curvy body. The engine was smaller in the 1960 Falcon. I believe the 1964 Mustangs had the same gauge/speedo cluster.

 

[dougsr.874]

Don't you have the batteries wired in parallel???

 

[Racie35]

Looks it....maybe just for charging?

 

[christw]

The Ranchero is a '65 that's been in the family for years. It's a little half stang rocket and that's going anywhere until I finish putting in a 6AL2.

The batteries were charging after getting unboxed in that picture. Here's the initial slap-together to see how things fit. Not bad. It'll do a solid 15-20 except for the rather steep hills in the neighborhood. I didn't try to go any faster because I was worried about not having the front brake. It turns out that the coaster brake is actually more than adequate. These worksmans really were overbuilt.

 

[shinjinian]

Looks pretty good but all those batteries taking up all the storage kind of defeat the purpose of the trike. Personally I would've used a china engine or pitbike motor and made my own jackshaft but that's just my preference.