list – Eudes Espino

6 Months or 100-hour Electric Bike Maintenance

It’s been six months so it’s definitely time for some adjustments. Some mechanics would even claim that people should bring their bike to a shop to get it serviced as a standard tuneup is required.

Here is a universal list that

Check Battery Connections
Adjust Brakes/Inspect Brake Pads
Clean & Inspect Frame
Lube Chain/Grease Bearings
Torque/Wheel assessment

Having an ordinary bike serviced once or twice a year helps prevent potential problems and keeps the bike running smoothly.

This inspection does not address Gears or Mechanical disc brakes. When gears are making chattering noises or skipping, take it to a professional. A bike with derailleurs and mechanical brakes requires intricate adjustments.

A hydraulic braking system, unless the housing is damaged, just requires brake pad replacements which if installed poorly will cause rubbing and loud noises.

Given the fact that we have four seasons in nyc it is very similar for an electric bike to require some form of tuning. The inspecting of the components properly is important — taking it to professionals every 6 to 12 months is ideal.

Step one in inspecting the battery connections is we’re looking for points of contact that have been exposed to the elements and have become oxidized causing static or a pop when connections are being made.

With both the charger unplugged and the battery turned off, feel free to use these components to clean the points of contact.

Deoxit D5 Contact Cleaner (click here)

Q-tip (click here)

Step two is Inspecting the brake pad. In removing the brake pad there are lines directly on the brake pad themselves that indicates if the brake pad is in need of replacement.

A majority of brakes will squeak or rub. As the brake pad becomes worn, the best option is to apply a spray directly on the pads that completely quiets it down

CRC Disc Brake Quiet (click here)

Brake pads vary so remove pads and confirm the part number on the back of brake pads before placing an order since they are not universal.

In installing new pads the worn pads that have been removed would have pushed the position of the piston make sure you reset both sides of the pistons before installing new pads

Step Three is cleaning and inspection of frame. It’s not recommended to ever use a power washer since a majority of bikes are only water resistant.

The best practice is to not aim the power washer directly; stand at a distance and proceed with caution. No one ever follows the don’t use power washer. Wanted to reinforce fear that damage will happen on more than just the electronics portions, certain mechanical components are just water resistant as well.

My preferred method is to use products designed to remove grease and because I work on this bike indoors the products I choose to use are user friendly and safe. Such as

Pedro’s Citrus Degreaser (click here)

This is very strong so feel free to dilute the product with water. Standard spray bottle and simple rags will work.

12 ounce Spray Bottle (click here)

Microfiber Rags (click here)

Spray rag clean and repeat. Avoid brake pads and rotors. Look for rust spots when wiping bike down check weld and the surface area where paint has been scrapped off as well. Example: rear dropout or contact point for a allen bolt head.

For a final finish a clean polish protective solution would do the trick. My top choice

Pedro’s Bike Lust (click here)

Step Four is to lubricate and grease. If it acts like a hinge lubricate. If it has threats apply a brush stroke of grease. Example: a chain uses a liquid lubricant and a bearing or axle thread requires grease. Apply accordingly use a dry rag to capture over flow of either.

Lubricant (click here)

Sta-Lube Marine Grease (click here)

Why use marine grease that’s a great question? I ride throughout winter and salt is applied on the streets of New York. Marine grease will aid in protecting those exposed points caused by loosening and retightening of any nuts or bolts. Apply generously wipe down clean when done like any grease if visible it will collect dirt not to be applied on bike chain.

Final step is making sure everything is torqued down to spec and wheel ride true follow instruction manual accordingly.

3/8 Torque Wrench (click here)

3/8 Socket kit (click here)

3/8 Allen set (click here)

3/8 Adapter (click here)

A torque wrench measures pressure in newton meters this will prevent a nut or bolt from being over tighten or even under tighten.

A nut that is under tightened will come loose and one that is over tightened could damage area of application or worse have the potential or snapping.

It goes without saying a person can spend an entire life time earning the title of wheel smith in the cycling industry so respect the craft. Spokes take all sorts of abuse from riding.

It is highly recommended to check spoke tension. No singular spoke should be loose or missing riding on such a wheel will make it hazardous when taking a turn the wheel could buckle under pressure. Highly recommend bringing it to a professional.

Leave a comment if this helped you with your inspection process. Safe riding see you in the streets

Daily inspection prior to riding (click here)

Rebalancing battery by John Angel (click here)

For serious maintenance or mods

John Angel (click here)

Datshopnyc (click here)

Yerrr! My name is Eudes and I’m based in NYC! On my youtube channel(click here), you’ll see videos about Onyx Motorbikes, Training routines, vlogs, all in one vibe with me lets get them Q&A’s, and etc. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed it!

email: eespino183@gmail.com

FTC- This post is not sponsored. Some links are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if anyone decides to purchase through them. Thank you so much for your support!

My Home THE HEIGHTS

I grew up in the northern portion of manhattan, my neighborhood is known as Washington Heights in the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is named after Fort Washington. It is a fortification constructed at the highest natural point on Manhattan Island by Continental Army troops during the American Revolutionary War, to defend the area from the British forces. Washington Heights is bordered by Inwood to the north along Dyckman Street, Harlem to the south along 155th Street, the Harlem River to the east, and the Hudson River to the west. As of 2016, it has a population of 201,590.

Washington Heights map is part of Manhattan Community District 12, and its primary ZIP Codes are 10032, 10033, and 10040.^[3] It is patrolled by the 33rd and 34th Precincts of the New York City Police Department. This area is mostly populated by Hispanic and Latino Americans dominated by Dominicans. To us it is know as a smaller version of Santo Domingo in which we refer to it as ‘little Dominican Republic’. Dominicans began leaving their country in large numbers in the 1960s, seeking political and economic stability after the death of dictator Rafael Trujillo.

My parents were part of that movement, We settled in Washington Heights because of its large and inexpensive apartments, access to our native language; spanish and many job opportunities. My mother worked in the dry cleaning business and my father worked as a private black car driver. When you speak to anyone, anywhere, automatically if you are Dominican, you live in Manhattan, and Manhattan means Washington Heights in my case; this is absolutely true. My parents, being both Dominican makes me 100 percent Dominican knowing all too well a DNA test will prove we are all one hundred percent of everything. In the past few years I have lived in different districts, however this is my current neighborhood once again. I am so grateful to my parents for their courage and the steps they took to provide my siblings and I with such amazing opportunities. I have the greatest city on earth as my backyard and a perplexing multitude of cultures-individuals in this melting pot I get to call home.

New York City (NYC), often called simply New York, is the most populous city in the United States. With an estimated 2019 population of 8,336,817 distributed over about 302.6 square miles (784 km²), New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the United States.^[11] Located at the southern tip of the U.S. state of New York, the city is the center of the New York metropolitan area, the largest metropolitan area in the world by urban landmass.^[12] With almost 20 million people in its metropolitan statistical area and approximately 23 million in its combined statistical area, it is one of the world’s most populous megacities. New York City has been described as the cultural, financial, and media capital of the world, significantly influencing commerce,^[13] entertainment, research, technology, education, politics, tourism, art, fashion, and sports. Home to the headquarters of the United Nations,^[14] New York is an important center for international diplomacy.

The large influx of Dominicans helped to turn around Washington Heights. In the process, the Dominican community became a major force in the city, both culturally and politically; Washington Heights is now represented in Washington by the first Dominican-American in Congress, Adriano Espaillat.

The reality is rent is on the rise and those that can’t afford it are losing their place of residence. There are many layers to this problem, one being gentrification: it is difficult to see certain establishments closing due to the times. In response to this the community definitely feels but one can only stay optimistic.

Source materials and links provided by wikipedia, NYCPD,

Onyx Shopping List

This is a uncategorized list of items I have purchased for my onyx.

The list is not categorized it is just everything I have purchased so far here under one scrollable post for you as an option. upon heavy request I am creating a proper post of specific repair kits and or items needed to tackle certain repairs and or upgrades. I do hope this helps some of you find what you are or have been looking for.

This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase anything through them, they come at no extra cost to you, but help support me so I can continue to share free information. Thanks and enjoy!

TUBE SINGLE