Building a tricycle

We've been working on a tricycle prototype for a while now. A CANUGAN representative (Navin) brought in a mini model of the tricycle that was built by Kio (the local guy who makes all the tricycles) and was being used by the PWD (Persons with Disabilities) in Kasese in the beginning of the year. We've been looking at that and trying to remake it in real life size so we can get a feel for size, shape, manufacture, rational, etc. Of course we are trying to keep it as close to the original as possible so we broke apart two unwanted bicycles and used those pieces to build ours. I can officially say I know how to steal bicycle parts off a bike now. (watch out archi-hipsters!)

It's been a month now and we sort of slacked on the building due to other commitments, but I went in the shop to work on it today. Tomorrow is welding and then the shops are closed on the weekend. The tricycle is still in "Flintstone mode" but once we get that chair on it, the last thing we'll need to figure out is the brake system. We're cheating a little (because we need to speed up the process) and are using angle iron to fix our mistakes. (Kio doesn't have mistakes) In the same tune to sticking to the original, we also chose not to use any sort of measurement tool and figured we could eyeball the whole thing in the same way Kio did. So our work is pretty lopsided and messy. Nonetheless, I don't think any of us can wait until this baby is up and running.

We all looked at it and said, "hmmmm, I think we can call it a day..."

These photos are a little outdated, so we've progressed since then. The tricycle prototype is for the group, but we all have individual things we need to focus on. There's a lot to think about, so I made a list of personal project priorities for the week (plus or minus a few days): 

• Compare specific handcycle power-trains
• Determine optimum gear ratio, and average wattage output
• Consider what types of tools you will need to power 
• Consider different methods of power transfer
• Determine how to build a test model in the upcoming month (multiple gears that are interchangeable and a chain on a wood block?)

Also! During this week, we made the news! (twice!)

Spotted in the local Ottawa newspaper, there's a little blurb about our team and the project that we're working on. I'm going to clip one and send it to my mom. It's motivating to see people become just as excited about the project as we are when they hear about the project. That means we have to work harder. Aja!

Metro Ottawa, Core77