Recumbent trike prototype rebuild.
Donation protected
Looking to rebuild a recumbent cargo trike (tricycle) prototype that was stolen from me in early November.
In an effort to build something to fulfill my own needs for transportation, I built a recumbent cargo trike. This trike was a general work in progress that I chose to utilize in my daily life in order to improve it's design (for, at very least, handling a person such as myself - weight related, mostly - and my needs - hauling generally heavy stuff or amounts of things larger than a regular bike can handle) and, in the near future, offer to custom build this trike for others who are in search of something like it. My plan is to fulfill the needs of a few somewhat specific groups of people.
1: Heavy/overweight people who like the idea of biking, but don't really have anything on the market that "can handle them" in terms of easily breaking down or damaging major parts.
2: People of all walks of life who have general balance issues that keep them from being able to ride a 2 wheel bike (3 wheelers take away the need to have any major focus on balance).
3: People of all walks of life who are unable to use traditional bikes (and trikes) due to physical limitations.
4: People who just want something different (custom) to suit their individual needs.
The base build of this trike is a very simplistic "square" design that allows it to be very modular in it's build properties (height, width, length, general features aside from basic funtionality).
There is also research going into more custom parts such as hubs for the front wheels, variations of the seat design and so much more!
The design also allows for a few options in regards to electric or gas power (or power assist). This option has a wide range of possibilities in allowing the end user to have a viable alternative to a car which is either VERY gas friendly or a solid "green" solution to transport.
I have looked into a number of options in regards to on-board cargo space as well as simple modification of standard bike trailers to work with this trike. I will continue to work on improved solutions for standard tailer fitting, but I have settled (at this moment) for a very simplistic and generally functional solution. There are many options for cargo space... everything from open top crates to custom fitted bicycle or motorcycle saddle bags and even completely custom cargo spaces (and custom trailers).
What I seek is to pick up where I left off in my plan to build another prototype with all of the modifications of this one added to the initial build (and to regain the freedom of my own transportation again). I have a few more upgrades that were on the drawing board that were soon to be retrofitted to this model that will have to go into a new build at this point. Thank you to anyone and everyone who helps me in this effort. I plan to offer donation gifts, but have not hashed out exactly what I'd be willing to offer at this time (outside of the items being custom laser cut/engraved) due to this campaign being pushed forward abruptly by the loss of my original prototype. Know that you are all appreciated. Also note that there will be anti theft features added that are currently being looked into from more than a few possible sources.
Below is a link to the facebook gallery of images that have been accumulated of the first prototype "in the wild."
https://www.facebook.com/156323567772227/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1227112714026635
For anyone wishing to donate parts in place of funds for this build, a list of possible parts to be utilized is included below this statement.
(Aluminum grade preference: 6061 (but will take 6063)
- Aluminum square tubing:
1"x1" with a minimum of 1/8" wall thickness (in 6' lengths if possible)
1.25"x1.25" with a minimum of 1/8" wall thickness (in 3' lengths or longer if possible)
1.25"x2" with a minimum of 1/8" wall thickness (in 2' lengths or longer if possible)
- Aluminum square solid stock:
1.25"x2" (in 2' lenghts if possible)
- Aluminum round solid stock:
7/8" thick (in lengths of 18" or 3' if possible)
- Aluminum "U" channel
3/4"x 3/4" or 7/8"x7/8" with 1/8" thick walls or thicker in lengths of at least 3'
- Mid length or short length derailleurs (2-4)
- Metal bicycle pedal set (for use on modern bikes)
- Battery boxes (lockable)
Molded plastic. Size and color don't matter
- Motorcycle saddle bag pair
- Rectangular milk crates (2-4)
The kind that can hold 6 gallons of milk. Preferably black in color
- Bearings (many)
Many sizes are welcome
- Nuts, bolts and washers (many)
Stainless steel only, please
1/4", 5/16", 1/2" (no less than 6" long), 5/8" (no less than 6" long)
- Tie rod ends (2-4)
5/16" preferred
- Bucket Seat (1)
Experimenting with whether or not this is a viable seat option
In an effort to build something to fulfill my own needs for transportation, I built a recumbent cargo trike. This trike was a general work in progress that I chose to utilize in my daily life in order to improve it's design (for, at very least, handling a person such as myself - weight related, mostly - and my needs - hauling generally heavy stuff or amounts of things larger than a regular bike can handle) and, in the near future, offer to custom build this trike for others who are in search of something like it. My plan is to fulfill the needs of a few somewhat specific groups of people.
1: Heavy/overweight people who like the idea of biking, but don't really have anything on the market that "can handle them" in terms of easily breaking down or damaging major parts.
2: People of all walks of life who have general balance issues that keep them from being able to ride a 2 wheel bike (3 wheelers take away the need to have any major focus on balance).
3: People of all walks of life who are unable to use traditional bikes (and trikes) due to physical limitations.
4: People who just want something different (custom) to suit their individual needs.
The base build of this trike is a very simplistic "square" design that allows it to be very modular in it's build properties (height, width, length, general features aside from basic funtionality).
There is also research going into more custom parts such as hubs for the front wheels, variations of the seat design and so much more!
The design also allows for a few options in regards to electric or gas power (or power assist). This option has a wide range of possibilities in allowing the end user to have a viable alternative to a car which is either VERY gas friendly or a solid "green" solution to transport.
I have looked into a number of options in regards to on-board cargo space as well as simple modification of standard bike trailers to work with this trike. I will continue to work on improved solutions for standard tailer fitting, but I have settled (at this moment) for a very simplistic and generally functional solution. There are many options for cargo space... everything from open top crates to custom fitted bicycle or motorcycle saddle bags and even completely custom cargo spaces (and custom trailers).
What I seek is to pick up where I left off in my plan to build another prototype with all of the modifications of this one added to the initial build (and to regain the freedom of my own transportation again). I have a few more upgrades that were on the drawing board that were soon to be retrofitted to this model that will have to go into a new build at this point. Thank you to anyone and everyone who helps me in this effort. I plan to offer donation gifts, but have not hashed out exactly what I'd be willing to offer at this time (outside of the items being custom laser cut/engraved) due to this campaign being pushed forward abruptly by the loss of my original prototype. Know that you are all appreciated. Also note that there will be anti theft features added that are currently being looked into from more than a few possible sources.
Below is a link to the facebook gallery of images that have been accumulated of the first prototype "in the wild."
https://www.facebook.com/156323567772227/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1227112714026635
For anyone wishing to donate parts in place of funds for this build, a list of possible parts to be utilized is included below this statement.
(Aluminum grade preference: 6061 (but will take 6063)
- Aluminum square tubing:
1"x1" with a minimum of 1/8" wall thickness (in 6' lengths if possible)
1.25"x1.25" with a minimum of 1/8" wall thickness (in 3' lengths or longer if possible)
1.25"x2" with a minimum of 1/8" wall thickness (in 2' lengths or longer if possible)
- Aluminum square solid stock:
1.25"x2" (in 2' lenghts if possible)
- Aluminum round solid stock:
7/8" thick (in lengths of 18" or 3' if possible)
- Aluminum "U" channel
3/4"x 3/4" or 7/8"x7/8" with 1/8" thick walls or thicker in lengths of at least 3'
- Mid length or short length derailleurs (2-4)
- Metal bicycle pedal set (for use on modern bikes)
- Battery boxes (lockable)
Molded plastic. Size and color don't matter
- Motorcycle saddle bag pair
- Rectangular milk crates (2-4)
The kind that can hold 6 gallons of milk. Preferably black in color
- Bearings (many)
Many sizes are welcome
- Nuts, bolts and washers (many)
Stainless steel only, please
1/4", 5/16", 1/2" (no less than 6" long), 5/8" (no less than 6" long)
- Tie rod ends (2-4)
5/16" preferred
- Bucket Seat (1)
Experimenting with whether or not this is a viable seat option
Organizer
Akai Coit
Organizer
