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Imagine turning your favorite LEGO Technic set into a rideable bike. Sounds wild, right? Well, that’s exactly what British inventor and YouTuber Matt Denton did. He recreated a classic LEGO Technic motorbike model from 1991 (set 8810) as a real and rideable electric Monkey Bike. And it works! Sort of.
This isn’t Denton’s first rodeo with crazy builds. He’s also known for operating Star Wars’ BB-8 droid, so the guy knows his tech. Let’s dive into how he brought this LEGO dream to life.
A LEGO bike you can actually ride
Denton kicked things off by scaling up the LEGO Technic bike design. He used 3D-printed parts for the frame, adding custom touches like aluminum-reinforced footpegs and polycarbonate suspension pieces. But this wasn’t just for show, it had to be functional. He slapped on a 48V electric motor, connected it to a custom battery pack, and… boom. Rideable LEGO bike.
But here’s the catch. LEGO pieces aren’t exactly road-ready. Denton needed to reinforce everything with metal rods and extra bolts to handle the torque. And while it’s technically a bike you can ride, steering it is… tricky.
The build: trial and error
This project wasn’t smooth sailing. During testing, the motor initially spun the back wheel in reverse. Not ideal. Denton had to rewire and tweak the motor controller. When he finally got it working, another issue popped up: the bike loved doing wheelies. Controlling it became an entirely new challenge.
Even the frame posed problems. 3D printing isn’t perfect, small measurement errors added up, making assembly a headache. Denton reprinted parts multiple times to get them just right.
How fast can it go?
Top speed? About 10 mph (16 km/h). Not exactly a speed demon, but it’s enough to feel the thrill. Denton’s nephew gave it a spin and managed 17 km/h, proving it’s not just for show. The downside? Brakes aren’t great. Denton admitted the e-brake slows you down, but it won’t stop you in a pinch. Feet-on-the-ground stopping is your best bet.
Why it’s a big deal
This project isn’t just about building a cool bike, it’s about merging LEGO nostalgia with real-world tech. It is every fan’s dream to bring their LEGO creations to life. Sure, it’s not the smoothest ride, but who cares? It is a working LEGO Technic bike!
A nod to LEGO fans
Denton’s build is a reminder of how far LEGO creations can go when paired with modern tools like 3D printing. While most of us are busy piecing together sets at home, Denton’s out here living the dream, riding one.
What would you build if you could turn a LEGO set into something real? A car? A boat? Maybe a spaceship? Share your ideas below.
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