How to build an electric Raleigh Chopper

[@brit-in-czech]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. I was hoping at the end for a small bit of onboard footage. Great conversion though and SO glad to added the iconic gear lever.

[@regantetlow]

This is absolutely amazing. I have two Mach 3 choppers and an original grifter and I would love to renovate and convert two electric like this, but I am just not a handyman.

[@johnodeell3505]

Great work top build enjoyed seeing the progress on the groups too 👍👍👍

[@webspaghetti]

That's a work of art mate! I really dislike the looks of the mk3. I could never have seen myself owing one but seeing it after you've finished with it, it's transformed, I love it. Food for thought with the prices of the originals becoming silly and the mk3s being relatively cheap. Great video of the process too!

[@TheHughzt]

Agreed, Raleigh missed an opportunity with the MK3, I like to think I corrected some of their mistakes. The Chopper is such a great design

[@ryandenning5518]

Excellent video and love the electric conversion i don’t suppose you have a specific link for the motor kit used in this video ? Thanks

[@TheHughzt]

Thanks for your comment. I get most of my parts from eBay, so if you search for “Bafang mid drive” you’ll find several suppliers. There are plenty of different options for power output and displays. I find the 36V 250W perfect for my purposes and I’d avoid fitting anything much more powerful unless you like pulling wheelies all the time 😄

[@brettwinchcombe5901]

Hi I have a red mk3 in my collection I would love this conversion Would you be interested in carrying it out ??

[@stevezodiac491]

was your motor a bafang 68 mm 250 watt 36 v and where did you buy your square battery from and did the wires fit each other or did they need modifying ?

[@TheHughzt]

Yes, it was the 68-73mm version, there are plenty available on eBay. The battery is a bit more tricky to find as the original listing has disappeared. This a similar battery www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196193188959?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=I5DgqjcCTF2&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=hyvhBVaNSpO&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY but please check it carefully to be sure it will suit your application. The connectors are different but they usually supply a spare XT60 connector with the motor kits. I'm fine with soldering so swapping connectors isn't a problem.

[@stevezodiac491]

thanks !

[@SoulFlask]

WOW! Excellent! The most inspiring video I've seen on youtube. I just purchased an old MK3! Just one question? Are the gears and the motor power both working independently ? I mean the motor assists the front cog only?

[@TheHughzt]

Hey, thanks for your comment! Yes, the motor drives the front cog and you can independently select 5 pedal assist levels in each of the 3 gears. This is why mid-drive motors a better than hub ones as the flexibility allows you to make the most of the motor’s power. Also I found I was pedalling too fast at higher speeds so I swapped the 20 tooth rear cog for a 16 tooth one, raising the gearing but I suggest you build the bike first and see how it rides before you do this mod. Good luck with your project.

[@SoulFlask]

@@TheHughzt thanks again. Which front mech did you choose for the mid drive motor? How many teeth? Also, did you source the batter separately?

[@TheHughzt]

I bought a BBS01B 36v 250w motor with 44 tooth gear. This is the nearest equivalent battery that I bought. It's slightly longer than mine: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196193188959?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=I5DgqjcCTF2&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=hyvhBVaNSpO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY I recommend you make a cardboard replica of whatever battery you choose so you can check it fits before you buy

[@SoulFlask]

@@TheHughzt thank you. Would you be able to tell me the dimensions of the chain bracket you made? I’m completely new to doing things with bikes. I’ve always liked bikes but never been hands on fixing them etc. going to Halfords today to pick up a tool to get the pedal arms and crank shaft out.

[@SoulFlask]

@@TheHughzt was there a way of keeping the original mk3 chain guard? Or was it just personal preference that you didn’t like it?

[@paulinemercer538]

👍👍👍👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 can I buy one

[@TheHughzt]

I've recently decided to sell this bike as I need to make space for my next project. You can contact me via my KZbin email address if you want more details. [e-mail]

[@tyronep653]

Random question do you build these to sell

[@TheHughzt]

Hi, thanks for asking, you're not the first person to ask this. I do this as my hobby and I would find the pressure of building one for someone else would take the fun out of it. This bike is a keeper, however I do plan to build another one later this year that I will offer for sale via eBay.

[@tyronep653]

Ah that's a shame I'm sure loads of people would love one

[@wrekabuddy]

@@TheHughzt Great. Can you let me know when you do this, possibly by replying to this thread? I'd be interested in the eChopper. Thanks

[@TheHughzt]

will do

[@basylpeterjones]

I preferred the nice mint-looking Mk3 before you destroyed it. Separate from that, I assume it's inevitable that rare Mk3s and common versions in great condition will eventually have collectible value, while modified ones, like this, will only be worth the value of the parts fitted - like the Mk2 seat.

[@TheHughzt]

Well, each to their own, I hope you enjoy your Mk3 if you own one. My opinion is that Raleigh destroyed the looks of the bike with the Mk3 by deleting key features such as the gear shifter and the long seat. Thankfully there is a broad range of opinions within the Chopper community and quite few of the members have asked me to build an e-Chopper like this one for them, some offering considerably more than the price of the parts. Ride safe and enjoy your bike!

[@TheeMuseumofjunk]

@@TheHughzt Destroyed? You did a cracking restomod to a non-rare bike and I love it. Stuff the haters.