Raleigh Chopper MK3

[Gorgeous Georges]

This is my first ebike conversion.
I've always loved the raleigh choppers and I found 3 of them for a pretty fair price.
The first one has now been converted. I might decide to convert the other 2 as well and sell them.
This one has a 750w bafang mid drive motor and a 48v 17,5ah hailong battery with Samsung cells.
Here in Europe the max wattage for a motor is actually 250w and a throttle is not allowed because then it should have a license plate so it is pretty illegal but they don't check ebikes on the road.

Max speed is 25 m/h , Nominal speed easily 22 m/h continuous.
Full throttle range almost 30 miles.

 

[Ronzo]

Hej there,

I saw you converted a raleigh chopper with a bafang motor. Im looking to convert one myself. Just a couple of questions. How did the bottom bracket fit, did you remove the original stand and what “troubles” did you have along the procces.

Im very excited to start the project. But i really want to be well prepared on it

Kind regards and many greetings from belgium

Mathieu

 

[TrevorB]

Cool bike to convert but given their novelty I'd go for low powered approach. This isn't type of bike you'd want to ride far, fast or on lot of big hills.

Small hidden rear hub, with 150-250wh battery under gearshifter or seat. No cabling on handle bars, use gearshift lever as PAS switch. Would need to replace IGH or build wheel from scratch. Alternatively small front hub.

For battery maybe able to get away with 40v powertool one eg Ryobi. Place it in saddle bags off seat if it not easy to hide.

 

[Doity]

Here is my Chopper Mk3 that I converted some 10 years ago. I used one of the pricey “E-Bike Kits” as there were not a lot of alternatives at that time. I think it was this kit:

Heavy-Duty E-BikeKit Lithium - Front Wheel

Offering 3 battery packs for this kit, the 9Ah li-ion shrink-wrapped battery is the lightest and smallest, at 5.8 lbs. The 20Ah li-ion shrink wrapped battery...

www.ebikekit.com

It still works beautifully and even when I forget to charge for long & cold periods, it will top back off in under 15 minutes or so. I would had thought it to be dead after all of these years but no.

 

[Doity]

This is my first ebike conversion.
I've always loved the raleigh choppers and I found 3 of them for a pretty fair price.
The first one has now been converted. I might decide to convert the other 2 as well and sell them.
This one has a 750w bafang mid drive motor and a 48v 17,5ah hailong battery with Samsung cells.
Here in Europe the max wattage for a motor is actually 250w and a throttle is not allowed because then it should have a license plate so it is pretty illegal but they don't check ebikes on the road.

Max speed is 25 m/h , Nominal speed easily 22 m/h continuous.
Full throttle range almost 30 miles.

Why is the wiring so bulky looking? That can’t be stock is it? I like the “tank” look on the top tube but if it was me I would have a custom enclosure fashioned and paint same as bike frame. Make it look like one of those fake gas tanks on the old balloon tire bikes. And then get some aftermarket Raleigh Chopper stickers and apply accordingly.

Also use wiring that is a little less obtrusive and try to hide it as good as possible. I’m sure that it’s a great motor, but it all looks too busy for such a small frame.