Kudos Duke Carrier Ebike

Came across this unusual machine recently. Looks like an interesting project to me: )

The retro twin top bars appealed to me & it is in fine condition overall. Large 23" Alloy frame with Bafang 250w front motor & 3 Speed Shimano gears with roller hub brake.

Clearly had little use & if the battery is good it'll be a nice, useful carrier bike. Not tested its range yet but if it's holding a full charge, & if it'll do 20 miles loaded it'll do for me. For now.

Finding very little online about it & the Kudos company seems to be out of business now. This one was sold in 2012 & cost £645. Was bought from Atmosphere Electric Bikes, 137 St. Georges Road, Bristol, who are still in business according to GMaps. I have the original paperwork, including the Users Manual & Spare set of Keys: ) The illustration on the Manual is the Duchess step through version.

Comes with a sturdy front platform rack, not fitted above. Rear panniers are too small & will be replaced/upgraded. I'm not happy with the upright riding position either! I want the bars lower & further forward, then I'll refit the front rack. That's the initial plan anyway: )

Paint & decals are 99% & the forks & (Raleigh style: ) guards are steel. 700 rims with 47 tyres makes up for heavy suspension forks. To a certain extent: )

Update on 19th June 2023.

Health problems have intervened here but I was out on it yesterday & it is doing very well: ) I'm very pleased with it. Got a bigger pannier set for it & a lovely big basket for the front. It's meant to be a Town Bike/Shopper, so it'll be fit for purpose very soon.

I've fitted an adjustable stem here, which allows a lot of adjustment up & down, forward & back! Next job is to fit/adjust the original front rack.

Here's a pic of the original set up, & I don't like the positioning of  the front rack! Nor the rear pannier bags. Way too small. Or the skirt guards on a mans bike!! I don't wear skirts: ) It's a big frame, you need to be 6' to ride this & I never ever met any 6' females; ) My good neighbour says it looks like a Dutch Bike, so maybe there are tall Dutch girls?

Anyway I've had the motor apart to make sure the internal gears are greased & smooth. It's been unused for many years & it needed a checkover, just to be sure. 

 

That black, old grease is there, but not actually on the gears where they mesh: ) Centrifugical forces spread it around the perimeter if it's overloaded... It's good now though!

 

The battery seems fine but I can't check its mileage per charge because it doesn't have a Speedometer or a Mileometer. I've got a modern bike computer to fit shortly though: ) This bike has never done more than 50 miles in its life, so I'm expecting it to outlast me at 76! It's in lovely condition, way better than I am.

Out for shopping this morning with the bigger Pannier Bag. Fully loaded, at the rear anyway: )

 Don't like that saddle!!

More to follow anon: )