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“I am semi-retired and have time on my hands during January and February. I like to build and fix anything to do with automotive. My grandfather was a mechanic in WW2 and I used to help him on all of his cars. Did you notice my MACK truck bulldog on the back of the trike? (see video) It was off my Dad's old MACK truck. We were part owners of Toronto Cartage. My dad passed away 19 years ago. I was always around trucks, so doing repairs on the old GMCs and MACKs became old hat. Good old days.”
See it in actionhere
Q: What is the purpose of the manufactured object?
R: For fun. My brother-in-law owns a farm in Uxbridge (north of my home) and I go there to drive my tricycle through the fields. I was inspired by this project when I stopped working at a textile company after 36 years of service. I was semi-retired and wanted to build something in my spare time. I have all the tools including a MIG welder that I never had time to use.
When I started the project, there was a bike in my shed that had become too small for my grandson and was no longer used; by the way, I have 12 grandchildren! I used the frame and the front tire and then found another bike bigger than someone put in the trash. I used the front tire of the bigger bike.
Q: What is the main source of energy for your project? (eg, electric motor, gasoline engine, etc.)
A: I used a PrincessChat 6.5 hp and 198 cm Powerfist gasoline engine.
Q: What are the maneuver elements of your project? (eg, hydraulic control valves, electrical switches, etc.)
A: Especially cables for controlling the disc brake and accelerator. The left lever controls the rear brake. The upper right lever controls the front brake and the one below controls the throttle. A revolving handle for the accelerator was not available at that time. Honestly, I was looking forward to finishing the project.
Q: What components do you use to do the work for your project? (eg, hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic motors, gears, pulleys, etc.)
A: I used a 10-tooth clutch and a 41-tooth, 48-tooth, chain-sprocket. A roller chain, a disc brake, an axle, a motor and a square metal tube for the frame.
Q: What design / construction challenges did you have to overcome?
A: I had to perfect my welding skills. Welding was new to me; I had not welded since high school. I had learned oxyacetylene welding but I had never used a MIG welder. Indeed, it was a new challenge for me. Just like finding the perfect angles and height for the tricycle. Adjust the gear ratio to obtain the desired speed and choose between one-wheel or two-wheel drive. Two-wheel drive made cornering very difficult. I also had to add an extra support bearing to the center of the axle.
Q: If you had to make it again, what would you do differently?
A: I used a 3/4 "axle. Next time, I would use a 1 "instead of 3/4" axle as well as a mechanical brake system instead of a cable. I love building things and this project was on my list of projects to do. I'm not sure if I built it for myself or for my grandchildren. It was a fun project. I'm already thinking about the next thing I would like to build.
Q: Which of the Princess Auto locations do you frequent the most?
A: I visited the Princess Auto store in Whitby, ON once or twice a week during the construction of my tricycle. I found everything I needed to complete my project.