Nakamura Intersport electric bike problem: troubleshooting

Have you bought a Nakamura refurbished electric bike? All went well for hundreds of kilometers, but now your display is showing a malfunction, and the EAB may not be working properly, or at all. The French bicycle brand is renowned for its quality. But like any manufacturer, its models can be exposed to electrical problems during their lifetime.

Fortunately for you, manufacturers like Intersport use error codes for their electric bike motors. Each problem has its own code, so you can identify the cause and quickly rectify it. Here are the most common Nakamura EAB error codes.

Under-voltage problems may affect the battery, resulting in an error code 11 or "Err11". Intersport Nakamura recommends recharging the battery with its original charger.

Error codes 03 and "Error 06" refer to a motor or controller problem. When this happens, and if you're a bit of a handyman, you can check the connections. Otherwise, we recommend that you contact Nakamura.

Other problems may arise with your VAE. However, they are more minor and do not require any mechanical training.

If your electric bike doesn't break down, you can perform a few routine checks yourself to make sure your Nakamura VAE is fully operational.

It happens, but in a hurry you've put your battery back in. It may not have been fully engaged, providing partial electrical assistance, or it may have fallen out. Stop, remove and replace the battery in its cradle.

If nothing happens, try recharging it. If the problem persists, your Nakamura probably needs a new battery. This doesn't have to be a new battery, as bike batteries can be reconditioned.

Check that the motor assistance is working properly after you start pedaling. Change the different assistance levels and check on the display that the maximum speed is indeed around 25 km/h maximum. There should be no creaking or cut-off of assistance as long as you are pedaling.

If you can't restart your electric bike despite checking the motor and battery, you may have a connection problem or a faulty contact. The electrical connections are generally located under the motor cover, if the motor is at crankset level (this is often the case on Nakamura electric VTTAEs and VTCs). They need to be disconnected and reconnected, or even cleaned.

If the motor is at the rear, a connection exists along the chainstays linking the wheel to the frame's front triangle. If you don't feel like fiddling, call Intersport for a little expertise on your cycle.

The most frequent error is also the most benign. Error code 28 (precisely "28 ERR") - on the central motor displays - indicates that the magnet on the rear wheel is out of adjustment. This speed sensor no longer provides the current bike speed for motor assistance, and is no longer working correctly. Re-align the pedaling sensor with the arrow on the right rear chainstay, and tighten it.

Another benign problem, Error 14 means that you pedaled before pressing the ignition button on the electrical system of your Nakamura electric bike. This is to prevent damage to the motor, which comes into action in the middle of pedaling. Stop, restart, then pedal to start assistance correctly.

And don't forget to take a look at the brakes. Squeeze the brake levers several times, whether hydraulic or mechanical discs, to check for good braking force, balanced between left and right.

The frame, fork and handlebars of an Intersport Nakamura brand VAE come with a lifetime warranty. However, this is not the case for the electric assistance, which is only legally guaranteed for two years. In the event of a problem, and if you have not been able to solve the problem yourself, you should contact our after-sales service.

The Nakamura after-sales service can be reached in three ways:

• Go to your nearest store;
• By e-mail to this address;
• By telephone on contact number 02/4740170.

Nakamura electric bike components are standard and easily found on the Internet or at a bike shop. The Intersport website also sells spare parts.