How to build a DIY electric mini bike with Volkswagen Beetle fenders - Volkspod

In this video you see me building a DIY electric mini bike inspired by the Volkswagen Beetle, also know as the Volkspod. I welded 4 fenders together to create the body with the classic Volkswagen aircooled bug look.
I saw pictures of similar projects floating around on the internet and always wanted to build one myself, so when a friend of mine offered 4 old fenders in bad shape (thanks JB!) I could go to work. Luckily I did not need the parts that were heavily rusted, so I cut them off.
I painted it Marrakesh brown (BMW color). I know it's a bit unusual but I chose this color because I own a 1973 beetle which is also brown. In the future I will build a custom roof rack so I can take the volkspod with me to meetings.
It is powered by 2 hoverboard motors and 2 36v lithium batteries. The wheels are from a child size ATV. I used those parts from the first electric scooter I built since I don't drive it anymore.
Please note that I am not a professional bodywork guy or welder. I know some things can be done different or better. Overall I am very happy with the result.
Please also note that this project is not for sale ;).
Technical details:
- front and rear hoverboard motor 350w 36v
- dual brushless controllers 350w 48v (BLDC) from Aliexpress
- dual hooverboard batteries 36v 4.4Ah
- weight incl batteries approximately 39kg
- topspeed 32 km/h
- range: 13km (medium load)
- tire size 145/70 - 6
- frame built out of 35mm tube 2mm wall thickness
Chapters:
0:00 - intro
0:14 - making the body
6:54 - making the frame
15:37 - spray painting
17:58 - presentation of the finished project
19:19 - testdrive
If you like this kind of builds consider subscribing so you don't miss the next one.
Thanks for watching.
Check out some of my other hoverboard powered electric projects here:
- Electric fat bike with car tires:
• How to build a DIY ele...
- 3 wheeled electric tilting scooter:
• How to build a DIY til...

[@hennybutabi]

Hi everybody, thanks for watching! I am planning to do a mild restoration on my 1973 beetle. Some cutting and welding (maybe even a body off) and a complete respray. Would you be interested in that kind of content? Leave a comment below ;)

[@ramabujohnmokgawa4454]

Just subscribed, I'm interested in seeing more of your projects. Keep it up.🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@weshipitjamaica4354]

Most definitely

[@russellzauner]

Oddly enough, if you have a video where you show the design/construction of your tube bender I'd want to watch it.

[@hennybutabi]

@@russellzauner unfortunately I built that thing long before I thought filming stuff for youtube. However I based my design on the bender built by "home built by jeff" on youtube. He has a few vids on it. Look him up, he is a real craftsman👍

[@dannylugojr3428]

Yes, do it

[@matthewjacobs5507]

It looks like something a “Minion” would ride to run errands for Gru! It’s truly fantastic 😁

[@JDMB001]

lol

[@3nglehart]

kinda similar to the scooter used in the lorax movie

[@Water.897]

If it really seems like something Illumination would do

[@AT-ld7kg]

when someone says: "why didn't I think about it?" it's because you had a great idea, wonderful I would say!

[@divyajnana]

Wicked cool, "The Volkspod." Color is great, goes nicely with the tail light and turn signal. The confluence of art and engineering. Thank you.

[@vincent-augustin]

Not just the idea…the workmanship is beautiful

[@colinfielder6695]

I love it when people can vision things and make them a reality. Can't wait to see your VW restoration

[@lester44444]

it genuinely looks so smart. Would be a great production model, tbh - it has the vibe of a cafe racer hahaha

[@davekash1]

I could see it being very popular in France and Italy

[@MrAllan9]

At a Beetle show and shine, you would probably see a bigger crowd around the mini beetle. 👏🏆

[@StephanieElizabethMann]

Brilliant. Well done on creating such a simple and straightforward design. I like your choice of paint.

[@peterm85]

I love the look of this. Both futuristic and retro at the same time. Top notch!

[@dustingooding4870]

Fantastic build! I would roll that everyday! Well done!

[@steev3d]

I watch a lot of custom building of stuff on KZbin and this is honestly the best most practical thing I have seen in a long time. Not a single part of this feels like it is over engineered or overthought. Super elegant design looks fantastic and the ideal commuter scooter. Fantastic man great work!

[@paulking962]

Even if you didn't like Volkswagen this is a Beautiful thing, a work of art.

[@sbruinsma144]

This is hands down the most awesome mini bike i ever saw. I absolutely love it!

[@aaronwhatnot6064]

The move lorax has one way better if only it wasn't a movie

[@gfdgcdd770]

​@@aaronwhatnot6064១១ថតមកចងថតថតថតថតថតថតថតថតថតថតថតថតមកមកចងមកមកចតមកខេ៩៨ឲមក

[@neogeoriffic]

Absolutely fantastic! One of the most beautiful design concepts I've ever seen.

[@markorkarenhanes1354]

Am I the only one that smiled and chuckled when that guy rode by on a bug fender?

[@TaylorMadejdm1975]

Genius genius two of them side-by-side coming at you and going away from you would almost look like a beetle LOL

[@I3urton]

That little bugger is amazing! Really cool, I like it. You could surely make some sort of pouch that goes in the space below the battery, couldn't you? That area looks absolutely perfect for small storage!

[@marciwhitton6351]

This has to be the most ultimate retro little number I have ever seen. 😍

[@bubba26]

A hard-tail for the _Minions._ Nice work!

[@insimplebeing]

Such a pleasure to watch a master craftsman, skilled in concept, and engineering, with a keen aesthetic sense. The video was entertaining the whole way through. Also, perfectly well done. Bravo.

[@romuloreyes1893]

ni by

[@numap4701]

@@romuloreyes1893 Very S:T:U:P:I:DDD

[@aaronwhatnot6064]

Watch the movie lorax they done it before

[@suitable1317]

I too like farting in ceramic jars

[@insimplebeing]

@@suitable1317 you have strange hobbies

[@MrBTRDAYZ]

Sure, plenty have built VolksPods before, but yours stands above them all. Instead of simply slapping the body over a stock or lightly modified mini-bike frame, you custom engineered your own frame. A frame very complimentary to the entire design. The mounting points on the frame to affix the body panel to the frame was SHEER BRILLIANCE!!! By going electric, mounting the battery high, you left a nice little storage cubby suitable to carry items back home with you. I’ve watched your video 10 times now, and wish I could receive a crate box with your handiwork inside delivered to my driveway. It is simply a beautiful work of art in every way. Please share with us… what is your background? How did you obtain your engineering skills?

[@yahtutik6982]

Mini bike, modifikasi jengki

[@MrBilld75]

@@yahtutik6982 I can't speak a word of Indonesian, but I figured out what you were saying, lol. By reading up about Jengki architecture in Indonesia and how it was a rejection of the mainstream and colonialism and finding their own identity and independence. So basically, by the phrase modifikasi jengki, you're saying "not a mainstream/typical modification", right? That must be pretty close, I figure.

[@johnathanphillips1381]

@@yahtutik6982 yeti

[@aaronwhatnot6064]

The lorax

[@TheMediaMachine]

I wish when I was in school, this is what they'd taught. Real, raw trade skills. It looks fantastic.

[@jbotnik]

Looks like it’s straight from a Pixar movie. I love it.

[@Pasidor-qx9gc]

Красота ! Захотелось повторить что нибудь только из старого Запорожца .

[@jerrywooton4308]

Dude u gotta cut up a white wall and a rim in half for both sides to make it look like a tire is in the fender

[@369dusty]

You are a true designer who can also build your own concepts !! Well done Henny !!

[@odinvonraststadt2275]

Was für eine traumhaft schöne Werkstatt du doch hast! 🙏❤️🌹

[@romarioballoon7319]

Genius idea and design! I wish I could own one! :)

[@kenyork1107]

This is very cool 😎 I keep watching it over and over , love it .

[@rjlinnovations1516]

Excellent job 👍

[@greywolfwalking6359]

A tooootalllyyy cool ride!!! Ingenious! Congrats!

[@stevemccormack9948]

Really beautiful and thoughtful. A work of art. Well done!

[@OASIS9123]

That is very unique. Great job! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@user-tc1ui8hy5h]

Когда смотрю Ваши ролики, то больше всего восторгают инструменты и РАБОТА!! После просмотра появляется желание: ЖИТЬ ! ТВОРИТЬ ! РАБОТАТЬ ! УСПЕХА!! ЗДОРОВЬЯ!! И (?) НОВЫХ РОЛИКОВ!!

[@ltesla7139]

Thanks for sharing creativity and talent. Just subscribed. I wish you wear a mask all the toxic dust and fumes.

[@ramabujohnmokgawa4454]

You very creative bro, love your build 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@ABCustoms]

Vet geworden Hendrik! Ik vind het altijd zo knap om dat plaatwerk zo strak te krijgen👌🏻

[@koendeclercq4329]

Leuk project 👍🏻 die fiets op de achtergrond ziet er ook wel speciaal uit 😀 grts vanuit Antwerpen

[@hennybutabi]

Check mijn vorige filmpje voor de build van de fiets😏

[@koendeclercq4329]

@@hennybutabi ga ik zeker doen 😉

[@Alex-vc5dr]

This is the cutest Electric Bike ever

[@DjNikGnashers]

Oh man, that is so cool, absolutely love it !

[@RA6ApARA6a]

Очень необычно. И красиво.

[@777smitty4]

Yellow and minion comes to mind watching this Cool little project

[@grizzle273463]

Dude the entire test drive at the end of the video I discovered I had a huge smile on my face without realizing it till the end. So impressive.

[@luvtoyscollector3373]

Now that is the coolest mini motorcycle 🏍 I’ve seen. Nice 👍 I love the color 😉 Street legal 🤔 Very nice homemade tube bender. Beautiful finished product, you should definitely make & sell 💯

[@mokhlessoliman44]

Beautiful job 👏👏

[@Behjatgh]

Your scooter is in another level. So creative and so beautiful.

[@mikefromwa]

Cool idea and that finish is like glass!

[@patrickmckowen2999]

Great build 👍

[@Pushyhog]

dang incredible build with class.Just pull molds from those and sell em on ebay in fglass or carbon.

[@hccarder]

Everything is impressive... But the paint is spectacular!!!!

[@graemetoobux8953]

the best use of a vw ever. No I only thought that for a moment and changed my mind.

[@Christos_K]

Very cool idea and project (looks great), but it needs a pair of shock absorbers (front and back) to ride better in bumpy and bad roads in general.

[@smoointhesnoo]

Super nice build!! Love it!!

[@udayphukon]

It's awesome.. seems like riding a real flying beetle....😍

[@fredfredrickson5436]

Nice to watch a skilled craftsman at work.

[@BeWolf.]

Ficou muito bom ❤️🇧🇷

[@Noah-uv7xc]

Goed gedaan makker! Groeten van Christophe

[@grizzle273463]

WOW WOW WOW. Hands down the absolutely coolest thing I've ever seen created. My God it's perfect!

[@robvanscheijndel]

It’s great to see how organically shaped fenders are transformed into a modern looking chassis. Lean and mean design!

[@paulohorni1540]

Muito criativo, parabéns, faltou o pisca pisca pra entrar direita ou esquerda

[@user-ys9yt9sv6z]

Это безусловно заслуживающая внимания, гениальная, интересная, прикольная, но совершенно неудобная, ненужная и бесполезная вещь.. ))

[@user-dp8pg8zz8n]

Да и ещё не понятно какой привод.

[@christyann]

I would usually jump ahead on videos like this but you were playing good music so I watched the whole thing:)

[@dewreckdeberjack9618]

Most excellent use of eyeballs and wood blocks. 😁👍

[@kevincallant1065]

FOR SALE ...???

[@darlybrasyl8771]

Projeto excelente muito parecido com a fusconeta do Brasil, no entanto por ser elétrica ficou mais top.

[@migfredcastillo3706]

It just looks so casual and proper. Great great job👍

[@kenimhoff6475]

What a beautiful design. The reference to DIY does not apply to everyone like one comment suggested. You are blessed with a vision and a skill set to match. Cheers!

[@patricedavid8649]

Excellent, beau et bon travail. Modèle unique, trop beau

[@stephankyle6460]

Beautiful build. How's the balance? The seating position looks pretty far back over the back wheel. Does it have a tendency to lift the front wheel or have light steering? I love the subtle curves you gave it to the back where it flairs out a bit but not too much. Very tastefully done.

[@hennybutabi]

Thanks😏. Its indeed a bit light in the front, but nothing to worry about. Actually it drives very well👌

[@pariexon1107]

Limited edition, how many could you sell all over the world ?

[@dannylugojr3428]

@@pariexon1107 great question, I can see people actually buying this. This was very cool !!

[@TheUnFairAdvantageCrypto]

im a pro cycle frame builder. much love for the work but ya i share the sentiment. on a steep hill that thing would likly flip over backward. but, at the speed it travels i doubt its a real issue in this case

[@stevenlopez5924]

I want one just to place in my Livingroom to look at. Beyond Cool.

[@Leonmania39]

This is the most creative idea and workshop I ve ever seen... Extremely gorgeous... this can make you rich...

[@bumfie]

Thats so cool nice one What would it have looked like with 2 turn indicators on the sides ?

[@chrisallen9154]

I guess we will know when you post your video.

[@aspopulvera9130]

Have you tried testing it's maximum range? And great work by the way

[@ArnoldQMudskipper]

In description

[@PCTechVince]

Very impressive. Good craftsmanship. Thank you for sharing. 😊👍

[@wyldelf2685]

You Sir are a genius ,like a "Doc Brown" in your own time , , , 👍😸👍

[@imrebalajti9326]

Congratulations for your work, but as an engineer I am curious about some things: 1st: How did you make this mini bike road legal in Belgium? In Hungary the rules of this process are strict, and people with custom designed and made vehicles need to cope with difficulties in order to get the permition of roadworthiness to use their vehicle on public roads. 2nd: The center of weight of the bike seems to be a little bit far from the center line of the bike when you sit on it and ride. What are your experiences with the propensity for lifting the scooter's front wheel? 3rd: What is the range of the scooter with one charge? Thank you for your kind answer in advance!

[@Inertia888]

Just commenting, so I can see a reply, in case some insight is given. Awesome build! Very inspirational style.

[@bosconazareth9066]

Beautifully done like a factory product 👌 👏 👍

[@corujariousa]

Really nice creation! It looks as if it came from an Anime movie.

[@bradleyauman279]

That's crazy I would have never thought of anything like that great job

[@adrianwilliams763]

Reminds me a little bit of Randy Grubb’s Decopods. Awesome work

[@k_tion]

Nice😊 Good job

[@schneidp20]

nice. Also thanks for the quick preview of the end result at the beginning of your video.

[@LotharGrieb]

This project just screams for a red dot award!

[@deno5220]

I absolutely love your tube bender

[@markgoddard2560]

I always thought that someone would find a use for a Volkswagen. Great job!

[@stufoo]

right out of the jetsons! incredible

[@jamesmarshalsea9916]

It looks like the bike of the lorax so cool 😎

[@janeprescott980]

I think it's well done. Guy has a plan, acts on it and created it from scratch. Like how I sew.

[@jbhix2691]

That is the coolest thing I've ever seen.

[@buddyguy4723]

from one painter\ fabricator to another. dang that thing is cute.

[@asifsaleem804]

😲Ohh my god😱 Mind blowing AS.AHMED🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@swampy1584]

Now that is an electric scooter I'd ride

[@Claudio-rm4wc]

Fantastic build! it looks like a crazy ColinFurze Build. Verry cool !

[@SCRMN9K]

Great job - looks fantastic. Reminds me of Unicycle from Dr. Seuss - Lorex

[@jobspeedmms]

this is a very unique motorbike, cool, including a rare motorbike if it is made like this

[@rpach3023]

If the fender was skirted it would be even more sick looking and possibly a bit more aerodynamic. I would ride that thing everywhere.

[@henrieccher4949]

Wahou c’est génial 👍

[@b52707]

Pure artistry. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnlong384]

Beautiful done and very impressive too!