"SPIN-DOCTOR" ~ 5-Wheel 'Whirligig' Parade Bicycle

MOTIVATION:
My inspiration was Yardsale Dan, whose "Whirligig" tallbike went to the Burning Man Festival in 2007 (2nd photo). His complex system of chains and gears was overwhelming, to say the least, so I configured a simpler method.

I volunteered to participate in a community event that combined healthy lifestyles, creative 3-D art, and recycling called "The Visalia Bike Project". Artists, activists, cyclists, and zanies joined to prepare "Kinetic Sculpture" entries for the St. Patrick's Day parade.

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DESCRIPTION:
Five wheels rotate, revolve, and oscillate as this creation rolls along. The front tire reverse-rotates a WHIRLIGIG in front of the pilot.
It may easily be returned to be a regular bicycle, by removing the WHIRLIGIG stem extender and reinserting the regular stem with its handlebars.

The title "SPIN-DOCTOR" comes from the WHIRLIGIG, the CDs, and because the designer/author works at a local radio station.

SPECIAL NOTE:
There are THREE creations in this series of Instructables. The two others are:
"THE RUSTBUCKET" - - - "THE VAPORIZER"
Please take a look at them, and let me know what you think and how to make them better. Thanks!!

Step 1: TOOLS & MATERIALS

TOOLS:
standard bike maintenance tools - wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, vicegrips, hammer
a chain repair tool (to disassemble & assemble bicycle chains)
a spoke wrench
hacksaw & electric angle-grinder
a small bar clamp
welding gear (or a friendly somewhat crazy nearby welder)

MATERIALS:
any ride-able adult's bicycle
a discarded 16" little girl's bike - a Huffy "Disney Princess" model in this instance
one additional 16" front wheel
colorful spray paint & tape
discard-able CDs
(optional but recommended = beer)

Step 2: WELDING - "I'VE BEEN FRAMED!"

The front fork and handlebars of the PRINCESS were welded into on of my soon-to-be-famous "Handlebar Stem Extender" creations.

The seat stays, seat tube, and top tube of the PRINCESS were hacked off and discarded. The remaining piece consisted of the chain stays, bottom bracket, down tube, and head tube. It was decorated with paint and tape in a harlequin-type design, as was the adult (host) bike.

This partial frame was clamped and welded onto the Handlebar Stem Extender at an appropriate angle (photo 4). More decorating then took place.

Step 3: THE WHIRLIGIG

Let's agree to call the 16-inch "rear wheel" that rides on top of the front tire the DRIVE WHEEL. This DRIVE WHEEL rotates in the opposite direction of the front tire, and so does its little gear. Usually, the chain and pedal crank make the DRIVE WHEEL go around. But here, the chain and DRIVE WHEEL make the pedal crank go around.

I recommend 16-inch front wheels, but these were 20". The front wheels were rattle-canned, and back-to-back CDs were stuck into the spokes (2nd photo). On each wheel, 3 spokes were unscrewed with a spoke wrench, bent outward, and glued into another CD. They were simply attached to the pedal crank with the existing axle nuts. They oscillate as the pedal crank is driven by the chain, and are also free to spin on their axles.

Step 4: DOCTOR (SPIN-)DOCTOR, GIVE ME THE NEWS!

A small sound system and a few more CDs were added at the last minute. The "SPIN-DOCTOR" is quite front-heavy and has a high center of gravity.

The author carelessly crashed it prior to the parade, and has learned that it takes skill to pilot it.

[ [ [ You asked for it - You got it - THE VIDEO of "THE SPIN-DOCTOR" ] ] ]