# I Had To Hack This E-Bike To Make It Work Right Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHYPmK1aM3w Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/VHYPmK1aM3w Generated: 2026-09-18T15:33:19.936+00:00 --- ## The Gist The $4,500 Ford Bronco e-bike is severely underpowered and heavily locked down by its manufacturer, but hacking its Lishui controller via CAN bus allows speed and throttle parameters to be adjusted for a better ride. ## Quick Overview The $4,500 Ford Bronco e-bike suffers from poor hill-climbing performance due to an overly restrictive motor controller and a heavy 70-pound frame. By building a custom ESP32 and CAN transceiver programmer, the creator successfully bypasses the locked firmware and modifies wheel circumference parameters to dramatically increase motor responsiveness and torque. **Key Points:** - The Ford Bronco e-bike is a $4,500 branded product that weighs 70 pounds and features a 750W motor. - The motor controller is a potted Lishui EPAC Drive System that uses CAN bus communication rather than standard UART. - The creator builds a custom programmer using an ESP32 microcontroller and a VP230 CAN transceiver. - By tapping into the CAN bus lines, the creator successfully transmits ASCII command strings like MCREADY and MCREBOOT to the controller. - Altering the programmed wheel circumference value tricks the controller into applying more torque and speed at lower actual wheel rotations. - The hack allows the e-bike to successfully climb steep hills that it previously failed to navigate. - The creator publishes the reverse-engineered project files and protocol details to a GitHub repository for other owners. ![Screenshot at 16:20: The e-bike successfully powers up a dirt jump after the controller parameters are hacked via CAN bus.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VHYPmK1aM3w/00-16-20.jpg) **Context:** The Ford Bronco e-bike is an expensive, branded electric bicycle that received harsh reviews for its inability to handle basic inclines despite its rugged appearance. Because the manufacturer locked down the motor controller's firmware settings completely, owners cannot change performance limits through normal display menus. ## Detailed Analysis The video details the step-by-step process of hacking a Ford Bronco e-bike to overcome its disappointing factory performance. The creator starts by tearing down the bike to access the Lishui motor controller hidden in the down tube, discovering that the internal wiring is encased in potting material. After ruling out standard UART communication, a multimeter and logic analyzer reveal that the system uses CAN bus protocol. Using an ESP32 microcontroller paired with a CAN transceiver, the creator builds a custom programmer and connects it to the bike's wiring. By sending specific commands and experimenting with parameters, the creator figures out how to read and write controller settings. Changing the wheel circumference setting tricks the motor into delivering significantly more power and torque, successfully turning the underwhelming e-bike into a much more capable machine on steep driveways and dirt trails. ### Prerequisites and Teardown The creator starts by disassembling the e-bike to locate the motor controller and examine its wiring connections. - The Ford Bronco e-bike costs $4,500 and weighs 70 pounds, yet struggles heavily on steep hills. - The creator mounts the bike on a workshop stand and removes the down tube cover to access the internal wiring harness. - The motor controller is a Lishui EPAC Drive System completely sealed in potting material, preventing direct access to its internal pins. ![Screenshot at 01:12: Close-up view of the Lishui EPAC Drive System label on the motor controller.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VHYPmK1aM3w/00-01-12.jpg) ### Wire Probing and Protocol Discovery Using multimeters and logic analyzers, the creator tests various wires to determine how the controller communicates with the display. - Initial multimeter tests identify 48 volts and ground lines, alongside throttle signal wires fluctuating between 0.8 and 2.6 volts. - The creator initially suspects UART communication, which is common on cheaper e-bikes, but serial interfaces return dead ends. - Analyzing signal fluctuations on a scope reveals that the system actually uses a two-wire CAN bus protocol with opposing voltages. ![Screenshot at 04:08: Multimeter displaying voltage readings while probing the controller harness.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VHYPmK1aM3w/00-04-08.jpg) ### Building the Custom Programmer To talk to the motor controller directly, the creator builds a custom microcontroller setup. - The creator solders a CAN transceiver module to a prototyping board alongside an ESP32 microcontroller. - The hardware is wired to connect directly into the e-bike's CAN bus lines and a USB interface for computer programming. - A custom 3D-printed enclosure is assembled to house the new programmer and protect the electronics during outdoor testing. ![Screenshot at 12:22: The completed custom MCREADY programmer housed in a 3D-printed black case.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VHYPmK1aM3w/00-12-22.jpg) ### Software Commands and Parameter Tweaking With the hardware connected, the creator writes scripts to send commands and modify controller behavior. - The system responds to ASCII command strings like MCREADY and MCREBOOT over the CAN bus network. - The creator establishes a Wi-Fi connection from a smartphone to a local web app interface to adjust settings on the fly. - Altering the wheel circumference parameter tricks the controller into miscalculating its speed, resulting in vastly increased motor output. ![Screenshot at 13:20: Smartphone interface displaying adjustable controller parameters and preset stages.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VHYPmK1aM3w/00-13-20.jpg) ### Real World Testing and Verdict The modified e-bike is taken outside to test whether the parameter changes successfully improve hill-climbing performance. - Initial test runs on a steep paved driveway show that the bike can now effortlessly accelerate up slopes where it previously stalled. - The creator takes the e-bike onto off-road dirt trails and jump lines to confirm the modified torque and responsiveness hold up under stress. - The creator concludes that while the factory e-bike is terribly underpowered for its price, it makes a fun hacking project and publishes the details on GitHub. ![Screenshot at 16:21: The e-bike riding through a wooded trail during outdoor performance testing.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VHYPmK1aM3w/00-16-21.jpg)