The last few times I rode my ebike I noticed it wasn't moving at fast as usual. It was also much harder to push than what I was normal use-to. I tried adjusting the brakes this morning. But in the process I completely locked the front wheel. I can't move the bike at all now. Anyone know how to fix the type of brakes pictured here?



Thanks,

Vic

I am sure you know much more tech stuff than me, but if the problem isn't a simple mechanical adjustment, could the problem be in controller?

un-stuck cheers

I am sure you know much more tech stuff than me, but if the problem isn't a simple mechanical adjustment, could the problem be in controller?

un-stuck cheers

Hi Ben,

Sorry, my frustration earlier got the best of me and I didn't explain properly. It's ONLY the front wheel that's stuck. There's no electronic parts on mine here. I can't physically rotate the front wheel by hand. It's all mechanical in the front. Rear wheel/motor works fine.


-Vic

Hey Vic,

Is the wheel still on the bike, or have you tried removing it? If it's still on the bike, I would bet that you can probably figure out what's catching in the brake if you took the wheel off.

If you've removed it already, and the brake drum is still stuck to the wheel then I'm at a loss.

Hey Vic,

Is the wheel still on the bike, or have you tried removing it? If it's still on the bike, I would bet that you can probably figure out what's catching in the brake if you took the wheel off.

If you've removed it already, and the brake drum is still stuck to the wheel then I'm at a loss.

The wheel is still on, I haven't tried taking it off yet. Mainly because I don't know if I can put it back together again if I do. I'm good with normal bicycles. But the scooters are a little different for me. Drum brakes are somewhat intimidating for me too. I would take it to a dealer to get fixed but that's difficult considering I can't really move it. Suggestions here are welcome. I wonder if Lubo does house calls.

-Vic

Hi, Vic! Sorry guys, for my short absence, I went to my friend's cottage for a couple of days (just got too tired after preparing my new e-bike repair shop). Now I'm back in the town. So first of all, Greg is right. Your front wheel looks absolutely standard and should be simple to take apart and put it back. The only thing to be careful with is the placement of spacer washers on the axle, if there are actually any, and tightening of nuts, so you don't kill your bearings. Bearings, the special tube like insert inside the hub between them and brakes are the most common cause for wheel stiffness. Also sometimes it might be worn out speedometer worm gear to blame if you have analog speedometer. If that still sounds too complicated, I do house calls and usually charge $20 per visit and $15 per hour plus parts if any parts are actually needed. Since there is a 10% discount for all members of this group and I do not charge any tax on top, that would be only like $30 in your case, Vic, if that's not too much to ask for few hours of work:) I hope you won't need a new brake. They rarely die that unexpected. And obviously if there is nothing I can do about your wheel, there would be no charge, no matter how much of time I spend just trying. See what's the best for you and let me know if you'd like me to come or just call me anytime...

Lubo,

I sent you an email. I actually need a few things done. Might as well do them all at once It should have went to the email you use to sign into here. Check your junkmail if you don't see it .

-Vic

I decided to try and fix my bike today. All is good now! Except for the speedometer. More on all this with pictures in a bit.

-Vic

Good one Vic. Dunno watt yer gonna do about the speedo w/out replacement parts. But the brake "...piston jammed in braking position..." just dried out? Needed a lube, or?

Lock

Well today was an adventure. But I really missed riding so I figure I might as well try to fix the bike myself. So I put down a tarp in the garage and started venturing into a world of unknown for me. But surprisingly once I got started it was fairly easy.






Here what happen. The brake piston is aluminum but the housing around it is steel. The steel in the housing rusted a little bit but the particles got stuck and jammed the brake. Thus locking the drum in the braking position. I had to pry the drum off. They usually come apart easily from what I've seen. The cam expander (I was calling it a piston before. Thanks Lock for correction) had to be hammered out of place. Then ground on a steel brush to clean the rust off. After that it was lubricated with some chain oil and put back in place. Also sanded the brake shoes a bit because the were really shiny and smooth.


The speedometer I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I didn't find it useful for me from the beginning and it doesn't really impair the bike so I might just do with out it. Although I'm wondering who's great idea it was to put cheap plastic against metal. EDIT: After researching I found out this is done on purpose for safety reasons.



Took me a little while to get the brake cable properly adjusted. Although it seemed like it would be the easiest part it actually was what took the longest to sort out. The cable itself and brake arm both needed to be adjusted.


Then with everything back together for the first time since late September of last year I went for a small test ride. Everything seemed to work OK. Bike even seems a little faster now. But I forgot how instant/powerful electric acceleration was I have to remember to take it easy on the throttle from a stop, lol.



-Vic