I've always been wary of buying cheap frames on eBay, but sometimes it's the only place to find the unusual at a decent price.
These Barracuda cruiser units had a decent reputation from the retro builders and I wanted to build something a bit different for a winter bike, so I bought the 2nd last 18" frame available.
I'd got quite a few stock parts looking for a home, plus Dave's enthusiasm for the Cute 100 motor convinced me it would be a good choice for looks and performance.
The build was straightforward, as was connecting up the electrics. A spare unused set of Italian leather panniers finally found a use as home to the battery and controller.
It's a work in progress. I need to rebuild the front wheel with a more interesting rim and spoke lacing, plus a new rear wheel using a non-disc hub with rim and lacing to match the front.
Changing the forks to another set allowing an Avid BB7 front disc unit to be fitted.
Changing the black brake cable outers to braided stainless will reduce the starkness of the black cables.
Changing the saddle to something brown and leather looking to match the panniers.
No doubt a few other mods will appear over the winter as the weather sorts things out.
Main parts are:
Cute 100 motor from Greenbike
Lyen controller
44v 5.5 Ah Volton Lipo or 36V 15Ah Ping battery
Shimano Tigra gears and cranks with Surly S/S chainring
Avid Digit 7 V brakes
Gilles Berthould S/S mudguards
The handling is excellent, the Cute motor is quiet and has decent power. It's been fun to build and ride - so far, so good.....
Alan
These Barracuda cruiser units had a decent reputation from the retro builders and I wanted to build something a bit different for a winter bike, so I bought the 2nd last 18" frame available.
I'd got quite a few stock parts looking for a home, plus Dave's enthusiasm for the Cute 100 motor convinced me it would be a good choice for looks and performance.
The build was straightforward, as was connecting up the electrics. A spare unused set of Italian leather panniers finally found a use as home to the battery and controller.
It's a work in progress. I need to rebuild the front wheel with a more interesting rim and spoke lacing, plus a new rear wheel using a non-disc hub with rim and lacing to match the front.
Changing the forks to another set allowing an Avid BB7 front disc unit to be fitted.
Changing the black brake cable outers to braided stainless will reduce the starkness of the black cables.
Changing the saddle to something brown and leather looking to match the panniers.
No doubt a few other mods will appear over the winter as the weather sorts things out.
Main parts are:
Cute 100 motor from Greenbike
Lyen controller
44v 5.5 Ah Volton Lipo or 36V 15Ah Ping battery
Shimano Tigra gears and cranks with Surly S/S chainring
Avid Digit 7 V brakes
Gilles Berthould S/S mudguards
The handling is excellent, the Cute motor is quiet and has decent power. It's been fun to build and ride - so far, so good.....
Alan
