Motor drive components

[TheKid]

I have a Currie gear reduction motor on my DR. It drives the right axle, while the left is driven by human power. I like it, but there are deawbacks, for me at least. Because I don't use it all the time, I found a fixed sprocket would still turn the motor, which may lead to premature replacement of the brushes. Because of that, it's connected to a freewheel, which eliminates having reverse. Also, because both wheels are driven, when I push it backwards and turn, I have to do it from the front, which is harder than just pushing on the seat. This is because it's like having a solid axle driving both wheels. One wheel cannot freewheel slower than the other. By pushing the front wheel. it actually pivots on the rear wheels. I should have had the motor driving the left side, along with the human power. But then I wouldn't traction to both rear wheels in case of icy or gravelly conditions. So I'll be installing a front hub motor, with a controller capable of reverse. I hope to have it installed next week. Here's pics of what I have now:







BTW, it's a 24v motor running on 36v, and nothing gets hot. The trike weighs almost 100 lbs with the trunk and batteries, I weigh 250, and it goes close to 20mph on level roads, and climbs hills easily.