Electric Cafe Racer - Vintage Motorcycle Build

This project started as a 1974 Kwasaki G3 on craigslist for $300. I took off the wheels, loaded the frame in the back of my car and the wheels in the passenger seat. I stripped the tank down to bare metal, cut down the rear fender, mounted a pair of Krator handlebars, and fabricated a custom cowl. I mounted foot pegs far back on the swingarm to stretch the riding position on the small 90cc frame. For the electric motor, I went with a QS138 3000W Mid-drive BLDC motor. This motor pairs with a programmable Votol EM-150s controller that can plug into a computer to adjust settings such as throttle response. This 72v system was a big step up from my 48v Honda in both power and sophistication. The programmable controller gives the bike the feeling of a hod rod. A machine that is never done, but always in the process of modification and testing. Implanting a powerful new technology into a small, old frame for which it was never intended also harkens back to the California hot rod culture. The 72v 21ah battery supplies just enough power for a spirited trip from my home to Seal Beach Pier and back a distance of 25 miles. This is a motorcycle that will continue to evolve and develop as long as I own it. Willowbrook Customs | Aaron Laniosz

[henrybobchatham]

Sleeping with the motorcycle in the same bedroom. That's THE real motorcycle boy.
Respect from France.

[Knapweed]

Duplex cradle frame, drum brakes, rear-set footrests... This bike is a pure nostalgia fest. Kudos for an exceptional build.

[ashleysmith]

I have a 1976 Honda 125cc CT that I have stripped all the garbage off, and turned it into a rat-bike cafe-racer, and had been contemplating what would be involved in swapping it out into an electric version. I guess I'll just have to leave it as gasoline powered after seeing the range of that one; I wouldn't make it to the nearest town and back ! Cheers from rural Australia!

[radwanderer]

Just great! Building a small and silent beautiful motorcycle...in the bedroom ^^

[Valk]

I want this.
"Cooling fins" on the battery case would look pretty rad on it

[DeanMakes]

This is seriously awesome! I've often thought about doing this to a Honda CB250 and your video may just be the push I need, thank you.

[Adam-s_YouTube_Account]

Thank you for removing the motor from the box like an absolute animal 🤣 excellent build tho!! Very informative!

[rconr]

Fantastic!!! Now let's work on more range. But this looks amazing. I have no clue why there are 2 thumbs down on this video. Unless you are willing to do something, which you have done. I don't see why there should be adding thumbs down. In any case keep up the good work.

[chippsloop]

You've inspired me to convert my zzr 250

[djquestionthis]

Fantastic job, your hard work payed off, that bike is bad ass!!!!

[paulawestcott]

😄👍What a beauty of vintage e moto build. You have inspired me to electrify my Yamaha DT .
I can start by selling the motor and pipe, it's an FMF .

[rkkuhlmann]

Great work dude! 25 miles is impressive.

[Tickle..Tipson]

Love it! I’m currently trying to get my hands on a ‘77 Yamaha cafe bike to do this too

[alejandroortiz]

Hello, great work!!! I´m a Mexican engineering student and I would like to do a similar project and use the motorcycle to go to my university. Your work and you are great, congratulations and greetings from Mexico.

[andrefecteau]

yeah, mad skills and great design work...

[cjoconnor]

Very cool build! Just out of curiosity, if you only paid 300 for the frame, how much was the whole build?

[MysteriousTony]

Awesome, now make one that I can pay for!

[schinslam]

Short but very informative video. Impressive work!

[Benji...]

Wow this build is so rad, great work bro

[fiveola]

Great Job! I'm about to dive into building my 1st e-motorbike and this is inspirational. I've done gas powered motorcycle builds but this is new territory for me. I have a question: Did you register this bike with the DMV and if so, was the process difficult? Keep up the great work!