What have I created?!

[grey-beard]

Ok, I don't know if I should even show this on here, but not in any of the bike specific areas. It's retro? not a mountain bike, not a road bike and it now has a motor and battery.
It started as a bit of fun, using parts I had in the garage because I was given this Raleigh Record sprint frame and forks. I didn't want to offend anyone, but once I realised that these frames aren't particularly desirable or valuable I thought, what the hell!
It is a real mix of parts, but at its heart it is a nod to my youth, as has been discussed elsewhere on here, building tracker bikes, pre mountain bike, pre BMX, just do it all bikes.
Personally I really do think it looks super cool and it actually rides ok, very comfy.
The last part of the puzzle was finding the correct handlebars and they turned out to be almost exactly the same as I had on my bike as a kid, motocross bars. These are super cheap ones that I don't think you would risk using on a motocross bike, but on this they are awesome! and the shape and width make them so comfy, I might get another set for another bike.
Ok, so let rip...

 

[Raging_Bulls]

I'd still classify it as a retro road bike. The brakes and width of the fork exclude it from the MTB section, and the frame looks like it's pre-1998.

Nice work!

Out of curiosity ... how much weight in batteries is in the bag and how much range does that give you? Asking for a friend.

 

[Takingabreak]

Ok, I don't know if I should even show this on here, but not in any of the bike specific areas. It's retro? not a mountain bike, not a road bike and it now has a motor and battery.
It started as a bit of fun, using parts I had in the garage because I was given this Raleigh Record sprint frame and forks. I didn't want to offend anyone, but once I realised that these frames aren't particularly desirable or valuable I thought, what the hell!
It is a real mix of parts, but at its heart it is a nod to my youth, as has been discussed elsewhere on here, building tracker bikes, pre mountain bike, pre BMX, just do it all bikes.
Personally I really do think it looks super cool and it actually rides ok, very comfy.
The last part of the puzzle was finding the correct handlebars and they turned out to be almost exactly the same as I had on my bike as a kid, motocross bars. These are super cheap ones that I don't think you would risk using on a motocross bike, but on this they are awesome! and the shape and width make them so comfy, I might get another set for another bike.
Ok, so let rip...
View attachment 553955

A fantastic creation but now I want a "tracker" bike. Where did you source the handlebars from?

 

[grey-beard]

Thanks for the comments guys. I had a mind to see if there was a suitable 80's MTB frame and forks around that I could use as I really would like wider tyres, I have no clearance with this one. I nearly bid on a Muddy Fox Roadrunner recently but held back for some reason?
As for the battery, it's heavy! The motor is very heavy too. It's a 60V system, so pretty powerful, although I use it in it's lowest setting, fast on this thing is terrifying! the brakes suck and it's so rigid! fatter tyres would help as would canti brakes.
The bars were from ebay, link below, £18 bargain! They really are a nice shape. but 7/8" so you'd need a bmx stem or shims.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263916277467
Oh yes. range, tricky one that. Fast throttle only, 20 miles maybe? tootling along at a leisurely pace, twice that easy.

 

[grey-beard]

I have acquired an 80's ATB frame and forks and so will transform this into a different beast. Stripped paint raw steel! It's going to be awesome!

 

[grey-beard]

I'm going to Karma the Raleigh frame and forks if anyone's interested? I'll list in the road bike section later.

 

[Tsundere]

Nice, I have been toying with the idea of converting a retro bike to electric for a while, this is about as tastefully done as I've seen on an old bike, I bet it's a blast to ride too.

 

[grey-beard]

Nice, I have been toying with the idea of converting a retro bike to electric for a while, this is about as tastefully done as I've seen on an old bike, I bet it's a blast to ride too.

Thanks, yes, it is an absolute hoot! It makes you grin from ear to ear, until it turns to terror! Hopefully the ATB version will be even better.

 

[grey-beard]

Just realised that I hadn't updated this with a pic of the later version the 2.1 really,. Different frame and forks, different motor and battery, much more user friendly but not long for this world. The electric bits are going onto a more modern bike for commuting duties soon.