How to Build a Cheap Electric Scooter
In North America and Western Europe, riding an electric scooter is considered a lifestyle choice, while in the developing world it may serve as the primary mode of transport. Although some possess the financial means to purchase an electric scooter, others are unable to do so. If you can't afford a new electric scooter or just want a challenge, you can build one in a simple do-it-yourself project.
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Things You'll Need
- 1 runner board, 1/2 inch by 2 inch
- 2 by 3 for neck of scooter
- 1 piece 3/4-inch plywood for the platform deck
- 2 eye bolts, 1/4 inch by 2 inches long with 5/8-inch hole
- 2 eye bolts, 1/4 inch by 3 inches long with 5/8-inch hole
- 4 carriage/coach bolts, 1/4 inch; 1 carriage/coach bolt, 3/4 inch; with one washer and one nut for each bolt
- 2 hexagonal head bolts, 1/4 inch; 1 hexagonal head bolt, 3/4 inch; with one nut for each bolt
- 6 carriage/coach bolts, 1/4 inch; 2 carriage/coach bolts, 3/4 inch; with one washer and one nut for each bolt
- 2 carriage/coach bolts, 1/2 inch by 5 inches long; with one washer and one nut for each bolt
- 2 hexagonal head bolts, 1/2 inch by 6 inches long; with 2 nuts (to lock against each other); 4 washers
- 1 carriage/coach bolt, 1/2 inch by 8 inches long; with 2 nuts (to lock against each other)
- 24-volt electric motor
- 2 batteries, 12 volt
- 1 T-hinge
- 2 front wheels, 4 inch
- 1 back wheel, 4 inch
- 1 wheel with timing pulley
- 1 throttle
- Speaker wire
- 2 adjustable spanners
- Work stool or saw horse
- Handsaw
- Set square
- Square point screwdriver
- Electric drill
- 1/2-inch drill bit
- 1/4-inch drill bit
- Measuring tape
- Hammer
- Pencil
Instructions
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Instructions
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1
Measure, cut and drill wood. Cut wood to the lengths indicated in the Tips section. The sections for all holes should be carefully marked for drilling. Drill the holes. Half-inch holes are required for axle bolts and bolts that fasten the runners to the neck of the scooter. The remaining holes should be 1/4-inch diameter.
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2
Put handlebar together. Attach the two angle brackets to the top of the steering upright and bolt the handlebar in place.
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3
Assemble the front wheels. Use a 1/2-inch bolt as the axle for the scooter. A washer should be placed on each side of each wheel. Ensure that the axle is loose enough to allow the wheels to rotate freely. Lock nuts should be formed using two nuts that are tightened against each other. This would prevent the axle assembly from vibrating loosely when in motion. Two eye bolts should be placed in the appropriate holes in the steering upright.
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4
Attach two runners to the neck of the scooter and place two eye bolts in the appropriate holes in the neck.
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5
Connect the deck to the two runners with six carriage bolts.
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6
Set up the steering assembly. Connect the eye bolts in the neck of the scooter with the bolts in the steering upright. Attach a 1/2-inch carriage bolt to the eye bolts. Check the steering assembly. It should turn freely. Form "lock nuts" by tightening two nuts together at the end of the carriage bolt.
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7
Connect an angle bracket to the neck of the scooter and the deck with screws. This increases the strength of the scooter.
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8
Refer to the assembly of the front wheels to assemble the rear wheel.
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9
Create the braking system by screwing a T-hinge to the rear of the deck.
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10
Install the motor. Attach a battery to a speaker wire and connect the battery to a motor. The motor is connected with a belt that is also attached to the rear wheel. The battery should be securely fastened to the frame of the scooter. A button is placed on the handlebar that is connected to the speaker wire and will enable the batteries when pressed.
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Tips & Warnings
Use the following wood: one runner board, 1/2 inch by 2 inches for runner boards; a piece of 2 by 3 for the neck of the scooter; and a piece of 3/4-inch plywood for the platform deck.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
