The ebike is done and I'm very happy with the results. If you are interested in upgrading a metal bike, I have some caveats for you. These ebike kits are unlike the ebikes you may have tried before. The pedal assist is quicker, and the addition of a throttle makes for instant power. Here are the things that I don't like about the finished product: the battery can hurt the handling of the bike. Mount the battery low for best results. The cables, motor and battery are ugly and scream ebike. The documentation is spotty at best and can lead to wanting to tear your hair out.
However, for $1k I got a bike with enough power and torque to cruise the flats or ride nasty hills. I'm unsure of the range but I bought the largest battery available. I have ridden 17 miles and the battery display still shows a 100% charge. If you are less adventurous/cheap than me, please check with your favorite bike mechanic.
Cheers
Mark Trulock