rideable LEGO technic cafe racer runs on electric monkey motorbike with 3D printed parts

Matt denton creates his own 3D printed LEGO electric motorbike

Animatronics creator Matt Denton has developed his own rideable LEGO Technic 8810 cafe racer with 3D printed parts. He uses an electric monkey motorbike as the vehicle’s body, and the design attempts to faithfully follow the LEGO 8810 set, which was introduced around the 1990s. 3D printing plays a big role in the project, and these parts are even attachable and detachable to embody the LEGO-block spirit. They’re made of PolyLite material with a bit of polycarbonate, and the creator has printed some of the parts at home using different machines.

all video stills courtesy of Matt Denton, via Youtube

Design based on LEGO technic 8810 cafe racer

Matt Denton wanted to have 3D printed wheels for his rideable LEGO Technic electric motorbike, based on the 8810 Cafe Racer set. As he shares in his videos documenting the making and process of his custom ride, he has set that idea aside for now and opted for an e-bike kit he found online. This kit includes a motor controller, a screen, some disc brakes, tires, and brake levers.

Not all of them have been applied to his electric monkey motorbike—just the ones that he can hide under his 3D printed LEGO parts. He first assembles the handlebar with the 3D printed parts and positions the front wheel. Once all of that is done, he moves on to the front headlight, which is transparent and still 3D printed.

Matt Denton has developed his own 3D printed and rideable LEGO Technic 8810 cafe racer

Putting the foot pegs, suspension, and axle in place

The frame comes next, and Matt Denton joins the 3D printed parts of his LEGO electric motorbike, using bolts to keep them intact. After he puts the foot pegs, suspension, and axle in place, it’s time to work on the wiring. Because the frame’s parts are custom before they were 3D printed, the components from the e-bike kit he bought fit into their rightful places and look hidden.

This way, there are no visible wires outside. The LEGO motorbike appears clean, with a sharp focus on the blocks’ design. The creator attaches the forks and adds a seat. The battery, shaped like a water bottle, has its own ‘bottle holder’ frame. He locks the battery in, and he joins the 3D printed LEGO blocks onto the electric motorbike’s frame.

Matt Denton uses an electric monkey motorbike as the vehicle’s body

It’s not yet done. He conducts a controller test and tries to reverse the wheel to make sure they work. He takes it for a spin for the first time in his workshop, spinning round and round on his 3D printed and rideable LEGO Technic electric motorbike. He takes a break to adjust the power and steering of his ride, and when the time comes, he brings his custom vehicle outside to a court for a test ride. The way it rides implies that all his hard work has paid off.

It functions and looks like a playful version of the LEGO Technic 8810 Cafe Racer set. Before the video ends, Matt Denton shows that Adam Savage, a special effects designer running his own YouTube channel, tests his built-from-scratch vehicle. He goes round and round too and remarks ‘I would pay five bucks to do this’ in his lighthearted tone. For those who want to build their own 3D printed LEGO electric motorbike, Matt Denton’s two videos are up on his YouTube channel, documenting the process.

view of the LEGO Technic 8810 Cafe Racer