ordering the parts

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First, you will need to order a Bafang kit and a battery. The question is, from whom and where will you find these items? How do you know the source has products that are reliable? Do they offer a warranty? How do you return an item to another country? These are all important questions.

First, the Bafang company does not sell to the general public and they have no outlets in the USA. Unless a retailer is purchasing thousands of motors at a time, they are a re-seller. A re-seller sets their own price and warranty. It does not matter where you buy your motor as they are all the same unless they are selling old stock. A BBSHD 1000w and a BBS02 750w motor is the same regardless who you purchase it from or what it says on the motor housing. 

Places you can purchase a Bafang kit that I recommend:

Green Bike Kit

BTN (Eunorau)

That is a very difficult question to answer. I, along with many others in the bicycle industry commit hundreds of thousand of dollars in overseas purchases and have never lost a cent. On the other hand there are many sellers on domestic selling sites that will swindle you out of all they can. It may only be anecdotal evidence but I have  had nothing but positive experiences with overseas purchases. 

As a note; Often you will see a fantastic price advertised but when you factor in shipping it turns out the price is not so fantastic after all. Be sure and consider shipping when you are comparing prices. 

What is the difference between AliBaba and AliExpress? AliBaba is for large orders while AliExpress is for small orders. If you want to buy one motor you would purchase from AliExpress. To purchase 50 or more motors you would purchase through AliBaba.

AliXpress, like eBay, has a buyer protection program. If, for some reason you do not receive your order, or your order is damaged, you can go through the Buyer Protection Program and request a refund. It is in the best interest of the seller to send you your product. All sellers know that today's consumer makes use of forum's and they do not want to be branded as someone not to purchase from. In addition, if AliXpress has a seller not fulfilling their obligations they will be banned from selling on AliXpress or AliBaba.

Shipping; Upon receipt of your motor or battery and it has been damaged in shipping it is not the fault of the seller. It is regrettable that your order is damaged but the claim should be filed against the shipper and not the seller. I have read so many complaints against sellers because their product arrived damaged. Overseas sellers of batteries and motors go to great lengths to pack their products to insure they arrive without damage. Of course, even the best packing cannot endure rough handling. 

Here are some of the things you will need:

*Bafang Mid Drive Motor Kit. 

*Lithium Ion downtube battery

*Gear Sensor (optional)

*Bafang motor spanner

*Programming cable (optional)

*Motor spacers

In addition, you will need a new shift cable, shift cable housing, grease, some way of connecting the power cable to the motor, and plenty of Zip ties.

In fact, buy two shift cables in case you fray the first one. A frayed shift cable will not go through the Gear Sensor. Shift housing is inexpensive and should be replaced to insure smooth shifting.

Before you order your kit you have to determine the width of your bottom bracket shell. Bottom bracket shells are in 68mm, 73mm, 83mm, 86.5mm, 89.5mm, 92mm, 100mm, 120mm. Most bikes will have a 68mm or 73mm bottom bracket shell. Please note: When you order your motor, if you have a 68mm OR a 73mm bottom bracket shell, order the Bafang motor kit with a 68mm axle. 

If your bottom bracket shell is over 73mm you will have to order a Bafang BBSHD 1000w or a BBSHD 750w motor because this is the only motor that has a longer axle. There are conversion axle kits available but I do not recommend them. We have used them in the past with unsatisfactory results. Another option is to grind the bottom bracket shell down until it will accommodate the Bafang 68mm motor. This option requires special tools and a experienced mechanic. 

The Bafang bottom bracket shaft is 33.5mm and will fit comfortably in many 63-73mm bottom bracket shells. What do you do if the shell diameter is larger than 33.mm? You have three choices:

1. Find an adaptor.

2. Make an adaptor.

3. Find another bike.

Adaptors can be found at Wheels Manufacturing.

Or, you can take your bike to any machine shop and they will make you an adaptor.

Third choice is to take a long, hard look at your bike and see if would not behoove you to find another candidate bike with a standard square tapered spindle, 68mm/73mm bottom bracket. 

Yes, if you bought the motor from a reliable source they would accept a return in order to continue to build and maintain a positive business relationship with you. That said, the chances of getting a defective motor is very slim. In fact, if you installed a new Bafang motor and it is not working then bring it to our shop for analysis at no cost. I am certain it is not the motor but somewhere in the wiring. Of the thousands of Bafang motors we have purchased overseas there has yet to have been a single failure. Remember, what makes the Bafang mid drive unique is the simplicity of design. 

This is a programming cable that will allow you to program your motor to your own standards. With a little research you will be able to change the settings of the motor to run smoother, increase range, and even run faster. These cables can be found on Amazon and eBay and cost around $25. The instruction on how to use this cable can be found at "The Hacker's Guide to Programming the BBS02 nd the BBSHD."

Some setting you can change at the display. See our section on displays for instructions on how to change the settings on your motor via the display.

“For the want of a nail the shoe was lost,

For the want of a shoe the horse was lost,

For the want of a horse the rider was lost,

For the want of a rider the battle was lost,

For the want of a battle the kingdom was lost,

And all for the want of a horseshoe-nail.”

Benjamin Franklin 1758, Poor Richard's Almanack

For lack of a single axle spacer the job cannot be finished.  Axle spacers allow you to move the motor to establish the correct chainline, or to keep the crank arm from hitting the chainstay.

There are many types of electric bike batteries to choose from. For example, there are cube batteries, triangle batteries, downtube batteries, rack batteries, side load batteries, and integrated frame batteries. Also, there are the different types of cell groups: Generic cells, Panasonic, Samsung, LG, and Sony. With each cell there are different variations such as Samsung 35E, or Samsung 30Q. Each variation makes a difference in performance and range. Then there is the size of the battery in terms of volts and amps, For example, downtube batteries come in sizes of; 36v 10.5, 35v 13, 36v 14.5, 48v 10.5, 48v 13, 48v 14.5, 48v 175, 52v 14.5, and 52v 17.5. A lot of choices to consider. If your motor is a Bafang 750w then you have to use a 48v battery. If it is a Bafang 500w motor then you can use a 36v battery. If your motor is the Bafang 1000w motor then your battery has to have a 30 amp BMS card. Note: do not use a 52v battery with a Bafang 1000 watt motor. 

Measuring the dimensions of a battery and the area of the bike where the battery will be installed is a very difficult task. For example, a downtube battery has a number of different angles. Also, the triangle area on the bike frame has has set angles that cannot be adjusted. Also, on some bikes, (full suspension bikes) there will be obstructions to the battery that have to be taken into consideration. Many times we have been ask to determine if a type and size battery will fit their bike and we always answer, "Bring you bike to the shop and we will see if it fits." Remember, just because the battery fits according to your measurements it still might not fit when the battery arrives. The reason for this is downtube batteries must have enough room to move forward and up in order to remove the battery. Complicated? Yep.

Be careful when you order your battery as they cannot be returned without the services of a Hazardous Materials Shipper. If one is caught shipping a lithium ion battery with any carrier the fine is over $75,000. There are those who say they will send you the correct labels to return your battery but labels do not qualify you as a  Hazardous Materials shipper. Federal law clearly stipulates the one that will be held responsible is the one shipping the battery, not the one that sent the labels. Shipping batteries is extremely complicated and requires training, certification, and special packaging and labeling requirements. We are a licensed Hazmat shipper and know the the incredible labyrinth of rules and regulations involved. It is best to never attempt trying to return a lithium battery through any carrier illegally.