The bike started as a Felt 68 Hotwheels 50th Anniversary Edition. I added the PL 500 BionX Motor Kit, had to drill the frame for some rivent nuts, but other than that it's a really simple build, and even the rivnuts were easy.
You're right about riding it without the assist, it's a TANK. Well above 50 lbs. before the motor and battery. It's close to 70 now. And those tires, 24x3.0! But they sure help smooth the ride--The thing'll top out around 28mph (and hold it there) on flat ground--It would do more on a 'regular' bike, but this is fine for me and my commute.
Doing those speeds, I also upgraded the brakes from generic cable-actuated to avid hydraulics--Finding a bike with disk mounts was a primary criteria, and this is really the only 'cruiser' with them. 28mph on regular canti's pushing 70lbs would be stupid.
I also prefer the original seat, but one of the bolts pulled through the base, and since it's a limited edition, it's takin' some time to get a replacement--I had this other one lying around.
All in all, it seems like it will make my commute nice and enjoyable--It's only 18 miles round trip, and when it cools off and if I'm not in a rush, I'll take my BionX powered cervelo, but for the most part the ebike will be my motorcycle stop-gap for a year or two. Even then, it's hard to argue with not paying for gas, insurance, or parking.
