KMX Venom Fang - BBSHD build

[Lowracer]

Hello all,
This is my 1st electric powered build. I've been a gas bike builder for a long time and have many build reports on the motoredbikes.com & motorbicycling.com forums under the tag name Lowracer.
I started with a KMX Venom aluminum trike purchased from Utah Trikes for $1600 during their Black Friday sale. I purchased the Bafang BBSHD kit w/ 42T & 52V Panasonic GA sharkpack from Luna for around $1300.
Mounting the kit to the trike was straightforward but involved a few custom mods. I lengthened the wires from the battery pack to reach the wiring harness and mounted the thumb throttle onto a small cutoff piece of old MTB handlebar which is attached via 2 interlocking hose clamps to the trike handlebar. This allows index finger throttle control, without interfering with bar end shifting/brake lever controls and allows one-handed operation (I hold my dog in my left arm/hand while riding). I also did a mod to mount the battery cradle to the trike frame since there are no water bottle bosses on the chainstays.
The e-trike exceeded my expectations in both power and stealth. With gas powered bikes/trikes people hear you coming and riding on bike paths isn't appreciated. The trike with its current gearing is good for 35 mph on the flats with brisk acceleration (gotta love the torque of these BBSHD's). I plan to build a velomobile body for the trike using another Zzipper front bubble/mount, coroplast for the sides and some flexible sheets of plastic for the underside/top rear end and wheel discs (pics avail). The fairing is good for ~40% increase in speed/efficiency based on my previous pedal powered velomobiles.
I'm getting ready to order another BBSHD kit to replace the Tanaka 47r gas engine on my Rocky Mountain RM7 DH MTB.
Cheers,
-Lowracer-

[Lowracer]

I relocated the battery to the back of the main seat tube. 4 out of 6 of the plastic tabs broke off of my 52V Sharkpack & luckily I didn't lose the battery. I needed to better secure the battery to its cradle and to the bike. I found some heavy duty velcro straps on eBay with a metal loop & aren't glued together like the cheapos straps. I've gone thru many cheapo straps over the years which fail either at the plastic loop or at the glued seams. These don't have glued seams, use the strong metal loops & are awesome.

-Lowracer-

[Lowracer]

I've been putting some miles on this trike and I'm talking about seriously fun miles.
Yes I did break 5 total spokes on the front wheels and replaced 2 front tires.
The KMX is a very nice sporty handling trike and with the added torque monster BBSHD, it becomes a totally different vehicle.
I went and ordered another BBSHD kit & used the $50 credit Eric @ Luna Cycle was nice enough to issue for this write-up.
It should arrive in 2 days and my plan is to install it on my DH MTB.
I have another KMX Trike in the garage with a gas engine that could end up with the BBSHD or the Tall Bike also w/ gas engine currently.
I will post another build report on whatever gets the kit...
Stay tuned
-Cheers-

[Lowracer]

My 2nd LUNA BBSHD kit came via UPS yesterday evening and I was so happy that both the motor kit and the battery boxes arrived at the same time...
The 1st kit required an extra day or so for the battery to arrive.
A tropical storm is passing thru today so I decided to spend the day in the garage removing the gas engine/shift kit from the Rocky Mountain RM7 pictured and installed the BBSHD.
I got it all together and made sure it works properly, but no test drive with all the rain. I'll start a new thread soon, but my phone malfunctioned and had to be sent back to my employer for replacement so I am camera-less.
Cheers,
-Lowracer-
.

[ElectricRT]

Nice, I have a KMX as well and started out with a BBS02, motor got too hot for my taste and power was lacking. Went to a Cyclone 3000W and everything started breaking. The only real solution was going to a hub motor and oh my I never looked back.

[gwrace1]

Hello all,
This is my 1st electric powered build. I've been a gas bike builder for a long time and have many build reports on the motoredbikes.com & motorbicycling.com forums under the tag name Lowracer.
I started with a KMX Venom aluminum trike purchased from Utah Trikes for $1600 during their Black Friday sale. I purchased the Bafang BBSHD kit w/ 42T & 52V Panasonic GA sharkpack from Luna for around $1300.
Mounting the kit to the trike was straightforward but involved a few custom mods. I lengthened the wires from the battery pack to reach the wiring harness and mounted the thumb throttle onto a small cutoff piece of old MTB handlebar which is attached via 2 interlocking hose clamps to the trike handlebar. This allows index finger throttle control, without interfering with bar end shifting/brake lever controls and allows one-handed operation (I hold my dog in my left arm/hand while riding). I also did a mod to mount the battery cradle to the trike frame since there are no water bottle bosses on the chainstays.
The e-trike exceeded my expectations in both power and stealth. With gas powered bikes/trikes people hear you coming and riding on bike paths isn't appreciated. The trike with its current gearing is good for 35 mph on the flats with brisk acceleration (gotta love the torque of these BBSHD's). I plan to build a velomobile body for the trike using another Zzipper front bubble/mount, coroplast for the sides and some flexible sheets of plastic for the underside/top rear end and wheel discs (pics avail). The fairing is good for ~40% increase in speed/efficiency based on my previous pedal powered velomobiles.
I'm getting ready to order another BBSHD kit to replace the Tanaka 47r gas engine on my Rocky Mountain RM7 DH MTB.
Cheers,
-Lowracer-

Lowrace

You have a very nice looking build there. Just working to complete my first on a new TerraTrike. I should have it running in a couple of weeks as the remainder of the parts come in. Was debating on whether to mount BBSHD on top or bottom of boom. But it looks like the top might be the best location.

[Lowracer]

GW,
The torque of the motor is eventually going to pull it upward until it stops at a fixed object. The left side of a BBSHD is the only side of the bottom bracket that gets fastened via lockring so I'd go ahead and mount it on top of the boom up against the derailleur tube now so it wont pull the wires and possibly damage your wiring.
-Low-

[Lowracer]

electricRT,
I was just admiring your front wheels. Last night I needed to replace another 4 broken spokes on my stock front wheels and both tires (were showing threads).
Did you have those wheels custom built or is there a source for replacement heavy duty front wheels for the KMX?
I definitely need some...
Thanks,
-Low-

[calfee20]

electricRT,
I was just admiring your front wheels. Last night I needed to replace another 4 broken spokes on my stock front wheels and both tires (were showing threads).
Did you have those wheels custom built or is there a source for replacement heavy duty front wheels for the KMX?
I definitely need some...
Thanks,
-Low-

Yes I totally agree. I would also love some info on your tires.

[calfee20]

I will answer my own question Those are scooter tires. http://laebike.com/blogs/news/10000w...nt-death-trike

[ElectricRT]

Low racer,

The front wheels are 14" Prowheel dirt bike rims 32H. I just had the stock KMX hubs relaced into the dirt bike rims. Tires are IRC NR77 14" x 2.75".Definately feels like a gokart!

[Green Werks]

Your Killing me your builds are awesome They would put me in jail here in ohio with a trike like that
are the powers at be cool with the beast on the streets

[CPG]

Good find on those heavy duty velcro straps, thanks.