Fairplay work started ready for summer it dragging problem causing issues

[Tommygun]

Hello all first post on here

Bought a fairplay road legal buggy earlier this year batteries had been reconditioned but seemed ok lasted about 6-7 miles and I live on a small island near London England so perfect. Have put a toe bar on and used for 6 months looks something like this



Right was going to jack up and big tyres etc but change of plan read up on new set of batteries and decided on trojan delivered earlier this week. Installed as old set were not lasting more than 2-3 miles and with it a good roof chop to start off the mods going low as I can

Charged new batteries Did not seem to last any time till half way so re charged. Managed about 2 miles and very low and noticed that something seems to be dragging

Just about to start stripping brakes to see what's going on but question is what else are Likely causes of resistance?

Brake on electric motor? Bearings? Any info that could assist would be much appreciated prior to me starting to strip



Look forward to any help!