2024 OPMS Engineering Club - eTrike Build
eTrike Build Journal
During today's club meeting the students removed the old gray handlebars and replaced them with brand new black Pitbike handlebars. This was the first update of many on our journey into converting the old reverse trike into a slick modern electric powered eTrike!
During today's club meeting the students buttoned up the club's fundraiser. Then everyone went into the hallway to brainstorm and sketch out various ideas for an OPMS Engineering Club logo on the largest whiteboard on this side of the Mississippi!
During today's club meeting the students removed the old homemade foam seat that smelled musty from being left outside in the rain before we acquired it.
They removed the front and rear all-terrain tires in preparation for the new street tires. Students noticed that the wheel bearings were painted over, didn't spin freely very well, and some bearings appeared worn out. While the tires were off we inspected the front brakes. The right side looked good! Unfortunately, the left front brake housing was cracked all the way through. The front brakes were not operational when we received the eTrike. The plan is to replace the left side, get new brake cables, and a new brake lever in order to restore the operation of the front brakes.
The students also removed and inspected one of the front shocks. While doing so they noticed that the ball joint boots were all shot and there is slop in the joints as well. They will need to be replaced.
NEW PARTS ARE STARTING TO ARRIVE!!!
The rear tires, snow tracks, and new plastics have arrived. The students will dry fit them to the eTrike today and begin developing ideas in order to mount the snow tracks to the eTrike frame. In addition, the students will need to figure out how to mount the new plastics to the frame as well.
LET'S TAKE A BRAKE! HA!
The new front shocks have arrived. The students will finish removing the old ones and replace them with the new shocks. The front braking system has also arrived. So, we will begin the installation of the new front left and right drum brakes the brake lever and left and right brake cables. If the mini wheel changer arrives by the time we meet then we will install the new front and rear tires as well.