What are the rules with DIY electric motorbikes?

[nakedninja]

Inspired by this recent Fort Nine video: https://youtu.be/O2zlYpy6QCM

He's basically taken an old serviceable frame, removed all the suck squeeze bang blow stuff and put a bit of a kit in it to make a little city bike.
What are the rules/ options for doing something like this in the UK? Do you have to get an SVA and a Q plate or can you reuse the VIN from the frame, etc?
I've no delusion of being as talented as Buzzer, but fancy the idea of an e-runaround in an old frame.

Edited by nakedninja on Sunday 18th July 16:37

[vindaloo79]

I enjoyed that video.

This dude makes lots of diy bikes and got one legally tested and approved: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHoMJqCrN2o

[gareth_r]

The bike's identity is in the frame, so there should be no problem in doing the engine swap and notifying the DVLA.

You might not even need a new MOT.

Insurance is another matter.

[nakedninja]

gareth_r said:

You might not even need a new MOT.

Insurance is another matter.

I had not even thought of insurance, thanks.

[nakedninja]

vindaloo79 said:

I enjoyed that video.

This dude makes lots of diy bikes and got one legally tested and approved: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHoMJqCrN2o

The Fort Nine videos are great, I'm sure someone on here first pointed me in that direction.

I'll have a watch of the video you've posted, thanks.

[anonymous-user]

That's a great video. Brings me back to my previous thoughts of building an electric '50' that both my wife and I can use for popping into town (as she doesn't have a bike licence and has no interest in doing a test).

The problem I'm having is I can't find what criteria for electric motors the DVLA considers to be a moped (i.e. AM, P or Q licence category). Anyone seen such a resource please?

[smokey mow]

MrBig said:

The problem I'm having is I can't find what criteria for electric motors the DVLA considers to be a moped (i.e. AM, P or Q licence category). Anyone seen such a resource please?

The technical definitions are all in the MSVA testing manual which you would need to familiarise yourself with if planning a self build from scratch]

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/motorcy...

Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval MSVA Inspection Manual said:

Mopeds
Low powered moped (L1e)
- a 2, 3 or 4 wheeled moped with pedals
- with auxiliary propulsion not exceeding 1kW
- with a maximum design speed not exceeding 25km/h (16mph)
- includes sub-category 250W LPM (see Glossary for definition)

2 wheeled vehicle (L1e)
- with a maximum design speed of 45km/h (28mph)
- fitted with an internal combustion engine having a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50cc, or
-fitted with an electric motor with a maximum continuous power not exceeding 4kW

Edited by smokey mow on Wednesday 21st July 14:23

[anonymous-user]

Thank you. Not planning a full build, just a conversion of an existing bike