Building a Fully Electric Cafe Racer Motorcycle | Moped

In this video I built a Fully Electric Cafe Racer style motorcycle/moped out of a 1977 Cimatti City Bike Moped. I stripped everything down to the bare frame and welded in a cross bar to support the gas tank. I also welded together a crank assembly in order to mount pedals as well as a disk brake system on the rear wheel. I reused the front brake hub from the original bike. I used a 2000 watt rear hub motor from NB Power and paired that with a 72 volt 20Ah battery. I also used a separate 12 volt 4Ah rechargeable power tool battery. The bike has a top speed of over 70mph, but I have the governor set to 69mph.

SUBSCRIBE & LIKE for more content!

Follow on Instagram: @vanhoutenguitars

The Gear I'm Using:

[barelytrine]

I love that you started with one of the most difficult welding process there is, it makes you a better welder.

[danieldeponte]

In the welding you have to go a continuous line of 3 milimiter little jumps from beginning to end. Each of those jumps, create an interconecting pattern that acts as an extremely strong weave if you will.

[cliffordbertin]

Beautiful cafe racer keep building thank you

[polartsang]

i love that you go all the way to build a battery box but decide to use zip tie to secure it lol

[rfdunbar]

Impressive what you were able to accomplish as a beginning welder! I cringed when you said stick welder 😆. Great job! I build all kinds of things so I don’t mind seeing content other than guitars.

[alicemoon]

Great 👍 Job - Good Video …..
Hi 👋 from Chertanovo Chopper’s Custom Club …..
Moscow City 🌆 …..
Russia 🇷🇺 …..

[ebikeengineer]

That's the cleanest conversion I've ever seen. Brillian use of the gas tank to cover the controller AND act as a charging port. I've also got to say great reuse of the drum brake on the front hub. I have to ask why the use of a 2KW hub rather than a 5 or 8 KW? Was it for legal reasons (moped laws vs motorcycle laws) or budgetary restrictions? After riding on the 2KW do you think that was the right choice?

[marcirajkai]

the bike looks really sick, man! i hope you'll do more guitar stuff on here also ;)

[bobkennelly]

don't breath in those welding fumes

[willowbrookcustoms]

Awesome build! I completed a very similar project on my channel a few years ago. Very cool to see you working through many of the things I experienced. Keep building more bikes!!

[SUploads]

I have like 14 vintage mopeds and about $10, 000 in lithium batteries I think I should do this

[hamsterSNAKE]

Dude! Put an RFID RECEIVER under the seat cushion. You could have a button to push to scan....and just put the matching RRFID CHIP ID number to a card In your wallet.

Sit down to steal it, it woundnt would have no idea.

Or build in a safety pedal under the seat cushion that will trigger an elecritc braking system to engage making the wheels to also lock up if they where straddling the seat trying to push. But the only way that bike moves is by pushing it down the streat on a 45 degrees. That would every attention grabbing too....when build in a Air Tag....wire to battery.🤯 to stay on while there is a charge.

My BRAIN!!! ITS GUNNA EXPLODES!

CROUCH QUICK START🤯

[matickovac]

That's a nice project and an impressive result, thanks so much for sharing. Would love to learn more about the total cost of the hub motor, battery and all other equipment, links to where you purchased it all, as well as details on how fast is the bike, what is the range and what acceleration does it achieve. Keep up the good work!

[petermclaughlin]

I'm A guitarist as well you got me inspired thanx.

[ReedBighamBuilds]

Yo!!! Thanks for the shout out! I just saw the video and I am so impressed! This thing is looking so amazing! Enjoy the sick bike!

[damirpaluska]

Great build man ...i'm interested what kind of milege on average you get on one charge? I'm real noob at this, just started to explore the world of electric motorcicles.

[Vuvuvu]

Impressive man! I'd like to convert an old cafe racer to electric. This vid was inspire ng!

[crnogor]

You should jump over REL /electrode welding / from the start ! I can't take that you couldn't find some affordable TIG welder, let me say 400 -500 $, build up a skills on scraps and that's it ! Argon mix ( for steel ) gives nice spread, deep and shallow welds plus, you can return back with out adding wire, just with a welding head, to repair weld / to make more melting down, if you 'r not glad with result ! In Croatia, on a test, they could be very picky and precise if we are making any changes or making motocykle frame from scratch . They, for sure, could ''record '' welds with ultra sound probe !

[cringram]

Make a shake down video. We know you spent a year building the thing but we just spent 30 min. watching you learning how to weld lol. Seriously make a test session vid we want to know how well it accelerates, top speed, range of a full charge, battery size ect.
Also links where to buy those parts.
Thank you in advance, good job and hopefully see you soon.

[jerryweaver]

Pro tip on the welding. Get a professional and buy him a case of the best beer and an hour of hands on personal coaching will make you a good welder.