Tweener: Vagabund Moto tackles the electrical BMW CE 02

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Regardless of what the futurists say, an all-electric motorbike future continues to be far off. For motorcyclists to undertake electrical mobility en masse, battery-powered bikes should strike the identical steadiness between value, efficiency, and vary that petrol-powered bikes nail so effortlessly—and that’ll take time.

Till then, the uptake from dyed-in-the-wool motorcyclists will stay sluggish. That is why the electrical motorbike business’s most promising area of interest is small, approachable machines designated for city use and pitched at new riders, reasonably than the outdated guard—bikes just like the quirky BMW CE 02.

Custom BMW CE 02 electric bike by Vagabund Moto
Sitting someplace between a bike and a scooter, the CE 02 presents 11 kW of energy, 55 Nm of torque, a high velocity of 95 km/h [59 mph], and a claimed minimal vary of 90 km [56 miles] in its high spec. At $7,599 for the bottom mannequin within the US, it’s on no account low-cost. However in the event you look previous the blistering price ticket, these are respectable numbers for a compact metropolis bopper.

It’s additionally a dandy canvas for personalization, in line with the fellas at Austria’s Vagabund Moto. Paul Brauchart and Philipp Rabl are greatest identified round right here for his or her avant-garde {custom} bikes, however they’re extra prone to name themselves designers than {custom} bike builders. They’ve dabbled with a number of product designs, and have an ever-expanding catalog of {custom} cars that features a Land Rover, a Lada, and a number of Porsches.

Custom BMW CE 02 electric bike by Vagabund Moto
To use their crisp signature type to the BMW CE 02, Vagabund first stripped the bike down and 3D-scanned it. Key elements just like the drivetrain, suspension, wheels, and management space have been left alone, however the remainder of the CE 02 was redressed in a mixture of aluminum and 3D-printed components. (Vagabund used polyamide 12 for his or her 3D printing, to make sure OEM ranges of sturdiness.)

The adjustments begin up entrance, the place the fellows designed a brand new headlight nacelle and housing, with two LED projectors lighting the way in which. If we needed to guess, we’d say that fashionable motocross bikes and Futurama’s Bender have been each on Vagabund’s inspiration board after they penned the brand new headlight design.

Custom BMW CE 02 electric bike by Vagabund Moto
The brand new headlight is flanked by tiny 3D-printed LED flip alerts, mounted the place the unique flip alerts have been; on either side of the enclosed handlebars. Decrease down, a 3D-printed fender and fork guards exchange the inventory plastics.

Transferring to the middle of the CE 02, Vagabund blacked out the primary drivetrain covers, serving to them disappear into the chassis, visually. Additionally they reupholstered the seat and repainted the wheels—eliminating any traces of the unique graphics within the course of, and bringing the CE 02 consistent with the stark monochromatic vibe that the studio is thought for.

Custom BMW CE 02 electric bike by Vagabund Moto
Subsequent, the fellows fabricated a pair of perforated aluminum shells to switch the CE 02’s plastic facet panels. There’s extra aluminum work decrease down, the place a hand-shaped baseplate does double responsibility as a small baggage rack and footboards. It’s trimmed with skateboard grip tape and encompasses a {custom} strap to lash down small gadgets.

The perforated motif is repeated additional again, the place a custom-made storage tube cheekily mimics an exhaust muffler. (It at the moment holds a small umbrella).

Custom BMW CE 02 electric bike by Vagabund Moto
On the opposite facet of the bike hangs a retro-futuristic Bluetooth speaker from the Swedish electronics firm, Teenage Engineering. It’s hooked up to a {custom} mounting rack, and secured by a {custom} strap. Given how quiet electrical bikes are, it’s in all probability fairly efficient too.

Transferring to the smaller particulars, the swingarm-mounted license plate holder was stripped of its lighting, and kitted with a slim 3D-printed taillight and switch sign strip. The rear shock cowl went into the bin too, leaving the rear suspension space wanting just a little tidier.

Custom BMW CE 02 electric bike by Vagabund Moto
In true Vagabund trend, the BMW CE 02’s last accent got here within the type of life-sized toy packaging. Designed as a whole show case, the entire thing may be disassembled and transported, and sports activities built-in LED lighting worthy of an artwork gallery.

If the inventory BMW CE 02 doesn’t enchantment to you, then Vagabund’s imaginative and prescient of it’s unlikely to drift your boat. However in the event you assume the CE 02 is rad, their model has simply made it that rather more rad.

Vagabund Moto | Instagram | Photos by Stefan Leitner

Custom BMW CE 02 electric bike by Vagabund Moto



OTHER USERS BOUGHT THIS!!!

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