The Amazing Model 30

[mjbass]

Unfortunately just bought a spare bulb, otherwise I’d definitely get one.
On the subject of headlights, for some reason mine doesn’t line up exactly with the cut-out in the speedo. This means that it can’t be adjusted to the correct angle, and is too low. I didn’t get the bike from brand new, so didn’t assemble the steering column myself.
Can the various components be moved around independently to maybe realign the speedo or whatever? Appreciate any advice.

[Paul IOM]

I built mine and the headlight and speedo arrives as a pre assembled unit along with the handlebars, I’ve just nipped out to the garage to look at mine and it looks like there is a 6mm bolt under the plastic shroud around the handlebars which probably connects the two items.

My speedo has always had a slight left twist to it, barely noticeable and not enough to cause any problems, it looks like the speedo sits on a plastic blade which is connected behind the headlight, so it might be worth undoing the assembly and taking a look, if it’s twisted it might be possible to apply some heat to the speedo mounting blade a hairdryer and ‘encourage’ it back to where it should be

[kas]

Hi I’m new to the forum and new to ERider bikes. I have just bought a new E Rider30, I have found 3 problems so any help will be great. First, battery I am quite a heavy rider at 16.5 stone but don’t seem to get much use from a charge about 12 miles all urban riding. Can any body give me advise on better battery mileage. Also front light is very low and I have tried to adjust but can’t get it to show up much more than 6′ on high beam. and lastly my brake light is on most of the time, sometimes it works but then goes back to staying on. Sorry to ask so many things but apart from these things I love the bike. Thanks Keith

[Ken Ferguson]

Hi Kas

None of these things sound right and I think we will need to have a look at your bike.

Can you please send an email to [email protected] with your name and address and we will get these issues resolved.

Regards

Ken

[mjbass]

One problem I had with my e-rider when it was new, was a defective battery. There are effectively five 12v batteries connected in series to give you the required 60v or so. One of these was not working properly, so I only got the sort of mileage you’re talking about. If you can, check the voltage on each one, maybe with a light load, such as using the headlight.
Regarding the headlight, I have an issue with this whereby the speedo is not quite straight and prevents the headlamp being set in a horizontal position. See the post from PaulIOM above, which I’m going to try.
I’ll leave someone better qualified to answer the question about the brake light, although I assume the brakes are adjusted correctly.

Matthew

[Paul IOM]

@kas, Contact Ken as he suggests, the brake light problem seems odd, as the brake light circuit incorporates a cut off for the throttle, so with a brake light on it shouldn’t be possible to actually ride the bike, if you notice there is a wire going to a little switch in each brake lever, when a brake is pulled the switch puts the brake light on and cuts power to the motor too, the same system works on the prop stand, a switch on the stand means when the stand is down the power to the motor is cut, and you will also notice the brake light is on when the stand is down with the ignition switched on.

So it sounds like you may have a wire rubbing somewhere downstream of the switches which is putting the brake light on but not cutting the power.

I’m sure Ken will sort this, and the other issues for you, generally these bikes are very reliable, I’m up to 800km’s on mine now with only a couple of very minor snags which I’ve resolved myself in a few minutes.

[kas]

Hi I have been reading the answers and checking things out. I feel a complete idiot over the brake light, I new the motor cut out was attached to the side stand and brakes but I wasn’t aware that the break light came on when the side stand was down. problem 1 solved. Problem 2 solved the head light is now in a good position it was the speedo bracket obstructing the light from being set back far enough, a little help the bracket changed shape enough. Only problem outstanding is the battery power I have checked 4 out of the 5 batteries but am unable get to the front one, the 4 I checked were ok. Thanks every body for your help so far. Kas

[Paul IOM]

Range depends on a lot of factors, for example, temperature, terrain, and driving/riding style, just like fuel consumption with conventional engines, if you are on reasonably flat ground though you should be getting more than 12 miles.

I’m a 12.5 stone, 6 footer, and the worst I’ve managed is 26 miles from a full charge, but that was in the freezing cold, with a strong headwind for half the journey, a couple of long climbs along the way, and pretty much full throttle most of the time, taking away those elements I reckon I could have added a good 10 miles to the range.

One of the key things is momentum, the model 30 is itself quite heavy, so the more you can plan ahead, ease off the throttle, and keep rolling, the less times you have to haul that dead weight of bike and rider off from a standstill, particularly on hills, the easier it is on the battery.

It would be worth checking that you are getting 12v from each battery though.

[kas]

Hi Thanks for that Paul. I will have to try and get to the front battery to do a complete test, I wasn’t able to reach the terminals of that one. Am I correct in thinking I will have to remove the cowling under the seat to reach all 5 batteries. Thanks kas

[Paul IOM]

I’ve never needed to get to the front battery so i’m not sure without looking at mine, but do you know what total voltage are you getting? you could check this at the breaker switch under the seat.

Put the tester spikes on the screw heads for the cable clamps either side of the blue switch and see what you get there.

[kas]

Hi Gents I thought I would update all the people who helped me. I bought a battery tester I tried all the batteries all in good condition. While I was working on the batteries I found two terminal loose, one was very loose the screw was only in about one thread. I tightened all connections and been out for a ride I did 12.5 miles and battery meter was still on full. Hopefully that was the problem. Thank every one who helped.

[Paul IOM]

Glad you got sorted, I had a feeling it was unlikely to be a battery problem.

When you get a minute also check the two terminals into the main breaker switch under the seat, one of mine came loose and started sparking, causing some scorching around the breaker body, it was simply a case of the screws needing a quick tweak up.

As with anything mechanical, things settle down over the first few hundred kilometres, and with the current state of most roads everything gets a good shaking, personally I like to spend just a couple of minutes every few weeks, running a spanner/screwdriver over a few things to check them, but in my case that comes from my own OCD when preparing racing bikes!!

[mjbass]

Has anybody had to replace any bulbs yet. I’m asking because I decided to plan ahead and took down the details of each bulb, so that I’ll have some spares as and when I need them. However, apart from the headlight, I’ve not been able to find any of the others on the Web. Is there a supplier that specialises in this type of vehicle?

Matthew

[kas]

Hi Matthew I haven’t needed to replace but decided to change to LED I have replaced the headlight and back and brake bulb. These were bought on ebay. I tried to change indicator bulbs but they are not to successful. If needed I can find a link for the ebay sellers. Hope this helps

[Jason]

I’m seriously considering buying a Model 30, especially at their discounted price! My only concern is hills. I want to use it to commute 4 miles to work across Brighton, however there’s some pretty nasty hills at either end.

I borrowed a friend’s electric bicycle (a freego hawk) and it just completely cuts out when going up some of the hills, even only using it for light pedal assist.

I guess the E-Rider 15 wouldn’t fare a whole lot better given the regulations in the UK on power (but it’d be so nice not to have to worry about a CBT, insurance and be able to use the cycle lanes), but how is the Model 30 with steep inclines?

[Author]

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