Introduction: Solar Electric Trike

About: Careers: documentary filmmaker, DOP, engineering student, practical environmentalist, idealist. Loves: bicycles and when weeds grow in the city. I'm from western Canada, Yukon, Japan and Montreal.
Convert an electric scooter to a trike. And then make it solar for extra awesomeness.

This is not my project. It is by a guy I see around. I interviewed him and took some pictures. There is enough information here to get you started if you have some hand tools and curiosity.

Remember to leave a comment :)


Step 1: What You Need

Tools:
Drill
Wrenches and screwdrivers
Hacksaw or maybe an angle grinder
Welder. Oh, you don't have a welder? Now you do.


Materials:
Electric scooter, or maybe any bicycle would work fine.
~1/4" x 2" angle aluminum
~3/4" steel square pipe
Angle iron (you decide how strong it should be)
Scrap steel pieces
Front suspension from a small "quad" 4 wheeler.
Wheels with a thick (14mm?) axle. The axle must be strong enough to be supported on one side only.

Step 2: Replace the Front End

Like I said, this is not my project so here is the info you need to get started. You'll have to figure some things out and share them in the comments.

-Remove front of scooter
-Extend the steerer tube or bar
-Attach an L bracket to the steerer tube
-Put ball-end bearings on the end of the L bracket
-Extend the main body of the scooter forward
-Make places to mount the front suspension from a quad
-Mount the quad suspension on there
-Make a bracket to hold the wheels out of thick angle aluminum
-Mount (ineffective) brakes on the angle aluminum.

Step 3: Make It Solar

Stick on four 2a 12v solar panels in series and through a diode to trickle charge the batteries.

Step 4: Enjoy!

It's cool! Chix digit.

Are We There Yet? Challenge

Runner Up in the
Are We There Yet? Challenge

Spring Bike Contest

Participated in the
Spring Bike Contest