If calling someone a "party pooper", when they have already referred to themselves as a "party pooper" is the worst name I am ever called, well I would be happy with that.  Frankly I saw no conflict, and just 2 differing opinions.  That is not a pissing contest, it is a difference of perspective.  Are any of you folks "car guys".  I would suspect so.  Why would you built a hot rod, modify an engine, or buy a 800 HP Hellcat, If you cannot drive faster than 70 MPH legally?  It is a rhetorical question...

I appreciate all of the excellent comments, and differing opinions here!  You don't have to like everything I do, and me-you, in order to enjoy the brotherhood we appear to here.  Peace.

Nice job.  Looks just like mine. Your process was very similar to mine.  I like the look of your brass spacers; I used stainless.  My fender was installed when I bought the bike, and it was apparently installed backwards.  With the struts in front, I also had to do a bit of fabrication and bending, and ultimately used the axle as a mounting point for the strut.  I did need to make a longer axle, but that was a breeze with a piece of Stainless threaded rod, BUT I like yours much better!  Frankly, it was an easy job, and I did not need to modify anything on the bike frame, no drilling needed!  However, again, I like and recommend using the strut mounts on the rear of the fork legs like you did!

Quote from: Bob Mc on October 05, 2020, 08:31:07 PM
Howdy, I just installed the Bolton forks also. I used 1/2 inch brass spacers. So far the brakes work well. The forks are fantastic, compare a Jeep to a limo on a washboard gravel road. The fender struts required a lot of bending to fit to the fork holes.

Thanks!  What may not be apparent is that I also have an independent throttle controlled 1000w hub motor on front, (New, not in the photos), and am finishing up the installation of 7 speed gear shift ability.  It is a one of a kind.  I LOVE my RadRunner, largely because it is so customizeable, and is build so solid.  With ALL of my modifications, I have not had to drill a single hole in any part of the frame or cut anything, which is a real tribute to the basic design and construction!  If I had to choose my favorite single customization, it would be the seat!  Being sprung makes it SOO much more comfortable to ride!

Quote from: Ryan on September 29, 2020, 06:44:35 PM
Well I think you win the award for most unique looking RadRunner. Thanks for sharing.

YOU, Sir, have a sharp eye!  Funny thing is, it was mounted on the bike that way when i bought it (I bought from a bike shop, assembled)!  I never have looked at it critically, and I can now see it is definitely backwards!  I have been wondering why I am getting some splashes when I go through puddles!  The first thing I am going to do tonight is to look into that!  If I can flip it easily enough I will!    Thanks!

Quote from: wkindred on September 30, 2020, 06:24:42 AM


count -

i noticed you mounted the front fender backwards, was this due to the fender support spacing?

Wow you really ARE a party pooper!  I imagine you wear a helmet, shoes with steel toes, motorcycle leathers, gloves, and wrist, elbow and knee guards when you ride your bike!  With all due respect, sir, my bike has a class 2 sticker on it, and I am CERTAIN few cops would have any idea what that means, and how it may apply to an ebike, and the law, and NONE could tell the difference between a 750w and 1000w motor, visually (nether can I!).  Additionally, for your edification, a 750w motor and a 1000w motor likely will compete directly in speed.  More watts does not equal more speed, it equals more torque!  If you want speed, you increase the voltage.  As I have explained, I ride on the beach (legally), and the extra umph of the 1000w motor gets me through soft sand much better, and does so with no noticeable increase in speed.  Now, given that I have a 1000w hub motor in rear, AND a 1000w hub motor in front, I may be stretching it a bit, but heck, for me, that is the fun in this sport/hobby/pasttime.    Interestingly, even RAD advertises their motor as 1000w, and so I can say that i have the same wattage motor as the manufacturer states is on stock bikes!  You enjoy yourself, safely, and I will do the same!  I bet I have more fun, though!

Quote from: RadJohn on September 29, 2020, 07:36:28 PM

Quote from: Count on September 29, 2020, 02:12:09 PM
Do yourself a favor and buy a true 1000w Baffang hub motor...

How about the issue of legality for those of us who live in the United States?

In 2002 US law HB 727 was enacted by Congress and defined "low speed electric bicycles (like the ones currently sold by Rad Power Bikes in the US) as non-motorized vehicles not subject to laws requiring licensing, insurance and helmet use (among others) as long as they had electric motors of less than 750 Watts (~1 horsepower) which couldn't propel them at more than 20 MPH on a paved level surface with a 170 pound rider solely on motor power alone.

15 U.S. Code § 2085 - Low-speed electric bicycles and 16 C.F.R. Part 1512 went further in defining legalities, particularly as they applied to manufacturers. These later regulations might leave a bit of leeway in terms of what kind of modifications individuals may make to their bikes after they buy them, BUT THE 750 WATT/20 MPH MAXIMUMS ARE CAST IN STONE, anything more is a moped, motorcycle or some other kind of motor vehicle subject to all laws governing those classes and their operators.

Our Ebikes might be very hard to get licensed as road legal motor vehicles as their construction and and components might not meet the more stringent performance/safety testing requirements of those higher speed machines. 

Violations can get very expen$ive, and result in confiscation of contraband Ebikes in some localities.

Sorry to be a party pooper, it's just the law (and our cohorts in Canada and Europe are faced with even lower limits).

So why do 100 Watt motors exist? They would be legal for use on private property (your back yard or 5000 acre ranch in Montana) or by the military or other government agency. The MIGHT be legal for use "off road", on public/BLM/OHV park lands in some states if not specifically excluded from certain areas. The federal laws just prohibit their use on public roads, and most state laws would exclude them from use on most public trails as they would not be covered by the non-motor vehicle exemptions sometimes granted to Ebike classes like 1 or 2.

It went on very easily.  I had to make a new front axle, which needed to be longer to accomodate the fender supports.  It cost $10 for a stainless threaded rod.  I had to transfer the threaded insert from the Bolton fork stem and insert it into the Bolton one, simple stuff.  Even the headlight mounted right up, as well as the front Rad rack.  I also love my home designed seat: So comfortable, with no fatigue or butt soreness!  It has 2 coil springs, and a suspension seat post, all actively cushioning the ride, along with the Bolton front end.  The brake caliper mounted right on, once I removed one part.  I had to fabricate 2 aluminum spacers from tubing to mount the caliper, but a hand full of washers would work.   Here are some photos:

Quote from: wkindred on September 28, 2020, 06:41:40 AM


hey count!

how were you able to mount the bolton suspension fork?

other reviews claim it can't (easily) be done...

Do yourself a favor and buy a true 1000w Baffang hub motor.  The difference is dramatic, almost too much so.  I had to make some adjustments, because I was getting unwanted wheelies when I hit the throttle!Highly recommended, and a pretty easy swap!  Bolton has a video on this exchange for the RadRover!

I Just became aware of this forum, and am enjoying and learning from it.   Some very interesting and informative posts here!  At the expense of sounding cocky, you have some catching up to do!  As of today, I have installed: 

-A Bolton suspension front end, 35 amp controller (mounted exactly where the original mounts, in a waterproof enclosure); A new TRUE 1000w Baffang motor (which makes a HUGE difference in power);  multi-adjustable handlebar stem/riser,  and color display, Three 2000w headlights (great for night beach and golf course rides!), custom Harley solo style seat with full 3 point suspension, normal stuff like fenders, racks, and front and rear collapsible milk crate style baskets, and OH, did I mention a 1000w front hub motor 4" x 20" wheel/tire (for extra umph in soft beach sand, where I ride), with individual throttle (and as I come to find, about an extra 5MPH in speed).  Currently I am installing  a 7 speed derailleur, and have the gear selector, cable, 7 gear cassette (came with the 1000w Baffang motor) installed, and working on the actual derailleur mounting: nearly there. (The chain currently rides on one of the gears in the cassette). Other misc. handlebar mounted junk like bluetooth speaker and mount for tunes, cell phone mount, beer can holder,  headlight switch, etc.  With the front throttle added, and a 7 speed gear selector, as well as the other stuff mounted to the handlebar,  I have had to add a few handlebar extensions but it looks pretty good. 

I know, I know, I am blowing hot air until I post photos!  I will take some soon!  What is next?  I am contemplating another battery, as range is modest with all of the extra junk (about 20-25 miles on the beach, mostly in PAS2).   I am not a speed freak, and am contemplating a second 48v battery, connected in parallel with the original for about 35A of power, OR an upgrade to a 52 volt second battery, simply mounted somewhere, but manually switched, unless I can find a cheap effective high amperage electronic battery selector!



Yeah, I could have bought a more expensive bike with some of these gadgets, but this has kept me busy through the pandemic, and I simply love designing, engineering and installing upgrades, especially when most are NOT bolt on parts intended for the RadRunner! 

Why not just use the Bolton dual parallel battery connector?

Quote from: Bob Mc on August 12, 2020, 08:37:44 PM
Some of the mods I made.
Second battery, with a 2P2T switch so I can use one or the other, or turn both off.
Wrapped the cables with swirl wrap, 8mm from Amazon. I think it looks better than the velcro cover.
The new controller from Bolton is a lot wider than original so I made a wider skid plate from aluminum.
The front wheel on the Runner swings all the way to one side or the other when on the center stand and off the ground. I saw a spring on the Rad Cargo Bike that holds the front wheel straight so I put a piece of rubber tubing from the fender bolt to the the frame. It works great, can't feel any control difference when riding.

I ordered this one on Amazon.  It is not in yet, but seems to be the correct size:

https://amzn.to/30ACRcV

I received my headlight, and it is 10 times brighter, for $20.  Best upgrade!.. I also received my Bolton suspension front forks 2 days ago.   I have heard nothing but "No" to the issue of bolting on the Bolton suspension front end to the RadRunner.  I ordered one anyway, and installed it with relative ease to my RadRunner, and it works beautifully.  It was necessary to punch out the threaded insert from the old front end tube which holds the cap on, and re-insert it into the Bolton tube.  The brake caliper bolts do not match up, BUT if you remove the bracket adapter from the caliper, the holes match up beautifully to the downtubes of the Bolton front end.  I did have to purchase some shorter SS mounting bolts, but otherwise it was bolt on.  The Rad Rover front rack mounts perfectly and the RadRover fender mounts perfectly.  The installation took just an hour or 2, mostly just thinking things through. 

It makes a huge difference, and looks very cool as well!

I found this headlight on Amazon.  It should plug right in, and is said to be 2000 lumens in the Q&A.  For $20, it may be a winner!  The stock light is quite dim, and I have not found any plug and play replacement lights which run off of high voltage.  https://amzn.to/3baspyz

I ordered my parts from electrobikeworld.com.  Everything I needed was in stock but the color display, but it should ariive 1st week of July.  I may try to make my own battery. Bolton was out of everything but the front ene, which may or may not work.

I ordered one from Bolton, and it should arrive soon.  It is not likely plug and play, but I will give it a try.  It can always be returned!

I just took delivery yesterday of my new RadRunner.  I have only ridden it once, and I love it.  I live a few blocks from the beach, and can't wait for a long beach ride this weekend.  I am one of those types who MUST upgrade everything I own, and I am expecting delivery next week of an entire upgrade "kit" composed of a 35w controller, color full featured LCD, a true Baffang 750 watt motor, 52V 20A battery, and related cables.  I want the amperage for soft beach sand and the additional mileage, and the voltage will provide a little bump in speed.  It is essentially what Bolton sells, but they are out of stock of nearly everything.  About $800 all told, but I really love the bike, and nothing out there really suited my wants and needs better, even at that cost.  I may play around with the original motor, and see if I cant make it 2 wheel drive, but first things first!  I'll send pics when it all comes in.   

Photos to follow!