Varg - Gear Oil Change

[Theo]

I have a new motor on the way for mine, mine locked up. I also had a battery fault straight out of the crate that I have already changed.

I have undone every bolt on the bike and I have 2.3hrs on it....

Sorry to hear that.
Is it locked because of a mechanical problem like seized bearings or electric like the motor stuck in one position?
Did it lock while in motion or you turned it on and it was locked??

 

[mbw479]

Locked in motion, failed temp sensor according to stark. I am skeptical though, I was flat out, the motor was loaded up. However, these motors must have some thermal protection, a $50 rainwater pump does….when the new motor is fitted I will ride it the same way.

 

[Theo]

Locked in motion
[...]
I was flat out, the motor was loaded up.

That actually sounds pretty dangerous! If I am flat out, I could be standing in the attack position with my weight forward and if it locks in that moment my body could end up in front of the handlebar, maybe in front of the front wheel. Or if it happens while airborne the bike will probably nosedive.
Honestly after having read about these experiences I don't really feel comfortable riding that thing anymore.
I also see that the power unit is not available anymore as a replacement, even if I log in in their site, which makes me thinking that they are taking some corrective actions and so they just can't sell the ones they have in their warehouse.

 

[blbills]

That actually sounds pretty dangerous! If I am flat out, I could be standing in the attack position with my weight forward and if it locks in that moment my body could end up in front of the handlebar, maybe in front of the front wheel. Or if it happens while airborne the bike will probably nosedive.
Honestly after having read about these experiences I don't really feel comfortable riding that thing anymore.
I also see that the power unit is not available anymore as a replacement, even if I log in in their site, which makes me thinking that they are taking some corrective actions and so they just can't sell the ones they have in their warehouse.

No. They just don't want to give DIYers and competition direct access to their primary IP.

 

[Theo]

No. They just don't want to give DIYers and competition direct access to their primary IP.

What's the IP?

 

[Beagle]

No. They just don't want to give DIYers and competition direct access to their primary IP.

I'd guess the competition has ordered their Vargs long ago, and they don't need spare parts?

 

[MadpdXabbott]

What's the IP?

IP= For hundreds of years, intellectual property has been the driving force of progress in technology, art, and, culture. This is true around the world. It’s part of our shared human experience, no matter where we come from. Which is why the intellectual property offices of the world – including the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office – work together to ensure that IP rights continue fostering creativity and innovation.

 

[MadpdXabbott]

My first oil change was clear 4.5hours, second was contaminated with water. grey/ milky no excess aluminum some Iron on the magnet. at 14 hours.
I hand wash my bike with nothing more than a brush and a garden hose. Plan going forward is to check the oil by the fill plug, and change as needed.

 

[Theo]

Thanks for the accurate clarification about that initialism.

Locked in motion, failed temp sensor according to stark. I am skeptical though, I was flat out, the motor was loaded up. However, these motors must have some thermal protection, a $50 rainwater pump does….when the new motor is fitted I will ride it the same way.

Now that I think about it, if it was indeed a thermal protection, or anyways some sudden power cut, I guess that maybe, when the motor stopped delivering power, the regen braking was activated, giving a feeling of locked wheel. So maybe if the regen braking is set to 0, the wheel won't lock in those situations.

 

[hawk101]

My first oil change was clear 4.5hours, second was contaminated with water. grey/ milky no excess aluminum some Iron on the magnet. at 14 hours.

Just changed my oil with a couple hours on the bike and the oil was slightly milky. Any idea where the water is coming from? The breather is so long, I doubt any water would enter. Perhaps coolant is leaking into the oil?

 

[Foss]

So I received a response back this morning, regarding the breathing tube:

Service Support (Stark Future) Apr 29, 2024, 12:33 GMT+2 Hi, This is just for storage/transportation, when installing on the bike please remove the valve from the original powertrain and install it into the new one with the long breather pipe. Best regards, Stark Future Team

Now that we have an official response, here was my response to this email:

“Hello,

Okay thanks for the response, I will install the long breathing tube today. I did not see this step anywhere in the directions, and the response came later than expected so I ran the bike this weekend (sat/sun) with the short blocked tube. Everything seems fine, hopefully this did not cause any issues or damages?

There should be a sticker or warning notice in the box letting users know to remove this temporary tube going forward. “


Honestly this is up for discussion, but does this bike truly create enough pressure for if we did block this breathing hole… would it cause any long term damages?

FWIW, My first brand new oil change with the tube blocked, I had a clean normal oil change NO metal or milky contaminants.

 

[rayivers]

Maybe a 1-way check valve would be a good idea. I'd much rather "risk"an occasional tiny vacuum than suck anything into my gearbox.

 

[Kurlon]

Sounds like a good use case for a GoreTex water barrier if the vent passage is baffled decently enough to avoid said barrier from getting oil contaminated?

 

[Foss]

Maybe a 1-way check valve would be a good idea. I'd much rather "risk"an occasional tiny vacuum than suck anything into my gearbox.

Something like this for example:

Do we know what the diameter would be for something similar like this to work?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CC9K599/?tag=sce0f-20

 

[Torqu3]

Something like this for example:

Do we know what the diameter would be for something similar like this to work?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CC9K599/?tag=sce0f-20

The issue with this is you want it to breathe (in and out) but avoid water ingress. A gore vent would be perfect for this.

 

[Kurlon]

Those wouldn't be ideal, they're a simple check valve that water can actually migrate past, and can also put the gearbox under a light vacuum in some situations. What would be better would be something like that using GoreTex or other water impermiable membranes. Those will allow air pressure to equalize but will not allow water vapor into the system. Should any build up they WILL allow it to migrate out though.

 

[Foss]

So any moisture barrier material would be fine? Let me look around and see what I can build lol

 

[Kurlon]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G3J92CW/?tag=sce0f-20

That plus a fitting to put a hose barb end on and problem solved.

 

[Foss]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G3J92CW/?tag=sce0f-20

That plus a fitting to put a hose barb end on and problem solved.

Ahh that is right, we see these types of features on car lamps to allow moisture to escape

 

[rayivers]

The issue with this is you want it to breathe (in and out) but avoid water ingress. A gore vent would be perfect for this.

Just curious - why would you want it to breathe in? As I mentioned, a negligible air-temp-related vacuum might be present from time to time, big deal.