You can actually make your own best electric scooter.
Did you ever wonder if it were possible to build your own electric scooter? It’s not as difficult as you might think, although it does help to have some basic DIY experience first. You really can build a cool do it yourself scooter that will let you ride around the neighborhood. This How To Make Electric Scooter guide will help. It may not be the best foldable electric scooter for adults, but it is fun. If you don’t want to DIY it, take a look at the Urb E folding scooter review.
This article is intended to give you the basic steps that you will need in order to get this project done and have a road-worthy motorized e-scooter beneath your feet as you are flying down the road. This is down and dirty. It’s not a polished top of the line scooter with super speed from a brand name electric scooter company. But you’ll end up with something that might be even more fun than the best knee scooter. So let’s get to it.
How To Make Electric Scooter In A Few Easy Steps
The first thing you’ll need is a decent frame. Why build one from scratch? Just get your hands on an old kick scooter. Any size will do. Kick scooters are everywhere. Just make sure that you will fit on it comfortably.
Next, you will have to locate a battery-powered electric DC engine. Just make sure that the motor has the proper torque that you will need. I suggest at least 50-watt motor since you want it to propel you, but you don’t want the vehicle to go too fast and be dangerous. Safety first. You will also want to track down at least four 12-volt lead-acid batteries for the power. For both of these items, an electronics store is a good place to start.
Other items that you will need include a DC power controller, a bicycle chain, bicycle chain tool, a lever switch and some wires.
You Really Can Make An Electric Scooter
Now we are getting into the heart of this project. The next step is to locate the engine’s crankshaft. This is the metal cylinder that sticks out from the motor. When the engine is running, this part turns. You will need to attach a sprocket onto the crankshaft using a bolt and then attach another one onto the scooter’s rear wheel axle.
Next, the engine is going to be attached to the deck of the e-scooter. You can use some heavy-duty straps, either bolting it to the deck or using a strong glue, as long as it is secure. Just make sure that both sprockets match up.
Now the engine needs to connect to the scooter’s back wheel. You are going to use a bicycle chain that will connect the motor-sprocket to the sprocket on the wheel. If the chain is too big, you can use a universal chain tool to shorten it. In some cases, you may need to modify the housing around the scooter wheel so that the chain can move freely.
Almost Finished With Your DIY Scooter
We are almost through the steps needed to learn how to make an electric scooter. Now we just need to connect a switch that will turn the motor on and off. To do this you will need to use a power controller. Just connect the motor to the power controller and wire the controller to a switch. A lever switch is your best choice. You can have the wiring run up the scooter’s handlebars, keeping them in place with some zip-ties. Then secure the switch to the handlebars and now you can start and stop the engine.
Your electric scooter is ready to ride.
Extra Tips
Since all scooters and motors vary in size and shape, some adjustments will need to be made. You may have to remove some housing near the wheel, etc. It is not an exact science. And that is part of the fun. It’s kind of like an electric moped and it beats an old fashioned bike.
Be Safe On Your New Electric scooter
Always be safe. This electric scooter for adults will only stop when you shut off the electric motor. So it is a good idea to make sure that you have some hand brakes so that you can slow down by a few miles per hour before hitting the switch. It may not be the fastest electric scooter, but it’s still best to be safe. Braking should be minimal so that you don’t wear down the battery by holding the brake too long.
Now that you know how to make an electric scooter, always wear a helmet and with this build, maybe keep to the sidewalks and stay off the road. This may not be a scooter for your daily commute, but the fun is in building electric vehicles like this one. Instead of using it to commute, it is probably better used for short trips. And kids should ride one of these professional motorized electric scooters. The Razor Pocket Mod is a good choice.
