How to install a torque arm on your 1000W Front Hub eBike Motor Upgrade

[@RandyRides]

Come join my Facebook group and come chat with the ebike community! groups.randyrides.com

[@manp1039]

i noticed that the hub motor you are using in this video requires wires to go through the mounting nut.. how did you get all the connectors through the nut? And also how did you get the torque on by getting it on before the nut? Also, wondering how your torque has been working out in this application? any issues? Have you considered putting a torque on both sides for added strength?

[@deliwtz]

Thank you! As someone who wants to upgrade their lectric but already has had a very close call now I feel like I have everything I need to make the safest upgrade possible

[@RandyRides]

Yep. After some thought, I took it easy for the last few months. Now come the speed test videos!

[@joeloliver7599]

At 4:15 you removed a washer. That washer fills the gap in the dropout. The torque arm doesn't have this. I believe you should have left that washer on and put the torque arm over the top of it.

[@RandyRides]

Do you understand how a torque arm works? You have to replace the washer. It wouldn’t fit otherwise. 🤷🏼‍♂️ Well it might fit, but the alignment for the torque arm would be off slightly. I have the locking washer on the other side, so not much of a difference. Before I even did this video, I tested figment and made sure I was doing everything correctly. It’s right. I have had zero issues in the 4 months I’ve had my motor installed.

[@RandyRides]

Just took it apart to double check. The locking washer doesn’t even fill the gap. I assure you, it is performing fine. I have ridden it 200 miles since installing. Everything was rock solid when I checked just now. I make sure it’s all good before every ride. I definitely don’t want to injure myself. Thanks for the lookout, but I think we are good here. 👍🏻

[@joeloliver7599]

@@RandyRides Fair enough, I was unsure... Thanks for the content! ;)

[@RandyRides]

@@joeloliver7599 Thanks for watching! At least you’re keeping me on my toes and I appreciate that! 👍🏻

[@DISRUPTOR40]

@@joeloliver7599 You are right , this washer needs to stay there and then add the arm on top of it . It wil be more safer than safer, you dont want any gap between the fork and bolts

[@djrichylaurence8991]

Just got a 48v 500w kit so guess I'll be investing in a pair. Thanks for the demo. 👍

[@glenesis]

Thanks! It's actually better that this is a separate video. There are all kinds of variations in the e-bike upgrade kits, but this is something that should be done to any wheel with a motor added. Thanks for making this! I wasn't sure what the torque arm thing was all about until I watched the video. Good job. Please to meet you Randy! New sub here. I'm Glenn, in Rochester, NY.

[@RandyRides]

Thanks. Yes, very important!

[@bojackson3073]

I'm in Syracuse!

[@Boemel]

i'v upgraded my 500w to 1800w and the moment i full throttle from standstill the wheel took off without me... i did not have a torque arm. lesson learned the hard way.

[@Ionutdarling]

Lol the wheel took off and left you on the bike alone? Is happening to me 3 times but the wheel did not completely took off luckily.

[@amnobody117]

Haha, i will use the torque arms then, ty

[@jackoneil3933]

Thanks. Have you had any dropouts break with using those torque arms? I've broken three dropouts, two in an aluminum suspension forks and one downhill magnesium fork using a 1000w direct (non-geared) motor using two of what looks like the same torque arms. I've noticed that the inexpensive stamped arms typically have about 0.012" of play on the hubmotor shaft and a lot of play in the torque-arm to shaft arm bolt hole, and when combined with the flex of even a heavy duty hose clamp, even if the torque arm slots are positioned tight to counter the motor shaft torque it still allows enough twist to over-stress the dropouts. I've tapped the tru-hole and used a larger machine screw on the third attempt but that apparently was not enough. Luckily all three of my failures were starting from a stop using about 400watts (8amps at 48V). the high-end magnesium fork lasted about 100mi and broke under light starting load, and all three fractures appear to involve some element of fatigue. I modeled cast alloy dropouts and motor shafts in Solidworks, and found that the cast aluminum and magnesium dropouts were at 60% of static structural damage with only 30n/m of torque, but about 20% with solid 6061 aluminum. From those basic numbers I have to question the safety margin on any front fork motor install even with torque arms and wanted to convey my concerns for whatever they are worth and see if you might have any better insights? Thanks.

[@donniejenkins7909]

Those type of tork arms are crap look up videos how to make your own out of good steel and they won't have any play good tight tolerance as you have observed that the ones he is installing do not have

[@RandyRides]

@donniejenkins7909 Yea there are definitely better options nowadays. This video is pretty old. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@prodigydrone1923]

nice ride Randy thank you, and grizzly have inspired me to upgrade my Eunorau Fat Mn with a 1000W front hub motor also put a torque arm on my bike as soon as i ordered it ... P.S. Thanks for the the Thumb throttle its working nicely

[@RandyRides]

Good stuff. Upload a video when you get it all complete!

[@prodigydrone1923]

@@RandyRides On my Channel I've got 2 rides with that bike upgraded and creating more now will have some more footage up later, and video review of my bike mod build and its accessories coming soon.

[@Crosshatch1212]

This should be done on every e bike why manufactures ain't doing it boggles my mind my one wound the wires coming out the spindle around it opposite way3 times ,knackered ,luckily I got it replaced but I made tourque arms for both sides , now I can give it welly

[@lufknuht5960]

See the video by CitizenCycle. As I recall there was a fork end ripped off & a pipe band on a torque arm ripped right off. Instead of that pipe band, I saw where a guy fashioned the torque arm end so that a piece of it went behind the torque arm, not help by some thin piece of pipe plumbing band

[@Miczael]

Anything to make it safer. Great video!

[@RandyRides]

Thanks!

[@taterz9276]

i think that washer u removed was also for torque! n helped n u took it off !

[@RandyRides]

Don’t worry, I put it back on. 😉

[@user-ck6kq8zl2i]

Do you need a torque arm on each side or just the one side?

[@bobcammarata2338]

NO But an over kill can't do you any harm.

[@timsomor7999]

Good video.....and information!

[@RandyRides]

Thank you sir!

[@vintagemxer9165]

48v 20ah batteries are back in stock on ebay $236 - and claimed to be improved

[@RandyRides]

Yes I saw the news 👍🏻

[@amnobody117]

Good info! Ty

[@faYte0607]

If my ebike came with torque washers and I want to install torque arm for additional security, can I leave the torque washers in there as well? Mine has over 1000W power.

[@luckyfire3]

I'm going to order that motor kit Randy I got the sickness.

[@RandyRides]

I know the feeling!

[@walterconcrete5017]

There’s a reason there’s no question on the motorcycle test about “what to do if you blow out a front tire”.

[@RandyRides]

Good thing this isn’t a motorcycle and it doesn’t require registration

[@chikararexzpo]

Wish my install was that easy 😂 my plugs was so big didn't feel like unsoldering.. I end up using steel hook turnbuckles and some hose clamps 🙃 but is like whatever DIY 🙃

[@angel198717]

why didn't you just leave the torque washer on and just put the torque arm on top of the torque washer for double security if torque washer fails the arm will kick in to prevent drop out

[@RandyRides]

I did go back and do that. Idk why I didn’t do it in the video, probably just too much going on at once. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@offgrid2010]

I understand the purpose of the torque arm is to prevent the wheel from falling off but doesn't it also absorb the high torque of the hub motor especially starting up & especially on 500watts or higher motors? So for that purpose would you still say it doesn't matter which side you mount it on?

[@RandyRides]

It will only install on the opposite side of the brake rotor and it needs to be installed in the front, like I have it in the thumbnail.

[@missakhaladjian]

Hey mate. Do you think i should install a torque arm on a 500w motor? Thanks

[@DISRUPTOR40]

i would

[@zoologicalmilitia2241]

Looks like your wheel will run in reverse must need mirrors to ride it!

[@inebriatedbum]

How'd it hold up not being 1 piece?

[@MrRoddersf1]

How much more difficult does this make changing a flat tyre?

[@carpediem7654]

How do i get the torque arm over the cable? The connector is too big to fit through the hole. Thanks.

[@RandyRides]

You may have to find a different torque arm, I’m not sure. If you’ve used the same hub motor as I did, it should slip through the hole of the torque arm washer.

[@samcondren6136]

Is your fork made out of steel or aluminum?

[@zoologicalmilitia2241]

How come it does not come in the kit or even mention the need for it?

[@orobio0526]

I see so many comments on different videos it makes me so confused. Some people say it goes in the front and some people say it goes in the back.

[@RandyRides]

This is the correct way 👍🏻

[@user-ck6kq8zl2i]

Are we still talking about e bikes here?

[@RandyRides]

@@user-ck6kq8zl2i ?

[@DISRUPTOR40]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWKYpGmCjteijtU&ab_channel=FriViden Your anwer is there

[@jasoncurrie475]

The torque arms are supposed to be facing the back.

[@RandyRides]

No they’re not. You should probably check the instructions. On the front fork, they are installed towards the front.

[@richarddrew662]

I was thinking about doing this on my ebike but have aluminium front forks is it safe to put a 1000w hub motor on these?

[@sirphil13]

I always built my ebikes on bikes that have a steel fork. I give the front fork the magnet test, if the magnet sticks, the fork is made out of steel and strong enough to handle my ebike hub. Steel forks handle bumps in the road and torque better than aluminum front forks. I had a collision with a bike rider going the wrong way on the bike path, he made a sudden cut in front of me at the last second, and I rammed into his bike and my ebike "taco" both of his bike rims. The collision pushed my steel front fork in a few inches, and it still held my ebike hub so I can ride my un-powered ebike back home using only pedal power.

[@vintagemxer9165]

Yeah, probably best to get one. Wouldn't want to have it spin and wrap the motor cable around destroying it and possibly the motor. I wonder if they make black hose clamps?

[@RandyRides]

Yes they do. That’s a good idea. 👍🏻

[@vintagemxer9165]

@@RandyRides I think I'll paint the parts black first and consider another type of clamp other than those cheap ugly worm hose clamps.

[@RandyRides]

@@vintagemxer9165 Everyone has different priorities. Mine is to inform the people! 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@DJRonification]

You might be doing things wrong. Beware. Arm in front or behind fork ?

[@RandyRides]

It’s installed correctly in the video.

[@johnbiringer8123]

The universal one off of Amazon

[@johnbiringer8123]

The universal one from amazon

[@equipadont]

Please put the washer back after the torque arm

[@RandyRides]

I did

[@jjrr2100]

Silly question, but I didn't see where the front brakes are after you installed the front motor. ??

[@Lardzor]

Brakes are overrated.

[@RandyRides]

@Lardzor That may be, but there are definitely brakes on the front.

[@clayonbuchanan8094]

Hey Randy can did the same conversion, can is there a way to have pedal assist on the front motor also?

[@RandyRides]

Not in conjunction with the Lectric’s, no.

[@unclebirdman]

Did you manage to get rid of the gap between the torque arm and the fork?

[@RandyRides]

You won’t get rid of it. I got mine as tight as I could get it and there’s still a gap. Small though.

[@unclebirdman]

@@RandyRides I guess you could pad the fork.

[@RandyRides]

@@unclebirdman Learn from my mistakes 😂

[@DISRUPTOR40]

@@RandyRides should of left the washer at its place , then no more gap..., and safer, but your way will still work

[@RandyRides]

@@DISRUPTOR40 I actually did add that back in after I finished the video. 👍🏻

[@bobcammarata2338]

YOU HAVE IT INSTALLED ON THE FRONT OF THE FORK. N/G. IT NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED ON THE BACK, NOT THE FRONT.

[@RandyRides]

Incorrect. You should probably review their instruction manual.

[@bobcammarata2338]

@@RandyRides Sorry! The bike was upside down so it looked like it was in the front.

[@suenord1]

why was the headlight and steering arm higher than the motor in the picture at 5.11 minutes then?@@bobcammarata2338

[@johnbiringer8123]

Why do some videos show the torque arm going behind the fork

[@jasoncurrie475]

Because it is the correct way of installing then. If the tire is rotating forward then common Sense tells you the counter-rotating torque force is going to go backwards so you have to install the torque arm to where the torque is going backwards it's going to pull down which the hose clamp is going to propel the forks forward the correct way is going behind the fork. I've got a 1000w direct drive on aluminum forks and been trouble free for 2 years.

[@RandyRides]

@jasoncurrie475 Read the instructions from their website… the front torque arm goes towards the front.

[@johnbiringer8123]

@@RandyRides so it installed in front of the fork? Thanks

[@johnbiringer8123]

@@RandyRides I don't know of any websites

[@RandyRides]

@@johnbiringer8123 Which one did you purchase? They've made a few different kinds since making this video.

[@BullzOfSteel]

can this work on the kepler as well?

[@RandyRides]

You don’t need this for the Kepler. They already have torque washers installed from the factory.

[@bj97301]

Update? Did it hold?

[@RandyRides]

Yes they work

[@bj97301]

@@RandyRides odd mine won’t keep the motor put on my front fork. Keeps falling out the bottom. Also, had to get smaller hose clamps cuz my forks are thin as hell.

[@kenimus]

I need Install Front Hub 1500W to my X52 ..