Should I take a job assembling a Chinese Pedicab?

[LI-ghtcycle]

OK, everything is made in China, but what I am talking about is a pedicab that is the type made for and used in China, not some consumer grade made for the west kind of deal, but something that is hand-built by a craftsman locally that would be used typically in China, and I have someone wanting me to come and see if I would be able to assemble it for them.

I have nothing to go on other that an over the phone conversation with someone who isn't very computer literate and would only say "they use them in China all day long ..." and "It's pretty rustic, very simply made, can't be that hard to assemble right?" and to be honest, I'm more than willing to take a look and see what she has and if it looks simple to assemble, but I wonder if this might turn into a mess since I have never seen a typical pedicab up-close much less assemble one, and this one is electric.

I'm guessing that it will be powered by SLA's from the description, all I know is it has a bicycle front with seat for the operator and a covered bench seat for two passengers and that it's really, really heavy. :lol:

I know that isn't much to go on, but I thought I would ask.

Either way, even if I decide it's more than I would want to mess with, it would be interesting to see and give me an excuse to take a long bike trip. :wink:

 

[liveforphysics]

I saw hundreds, maybe thousands of electric pedi-cabs in China.

All looked very simple to build I would go for it.

 

[Zoot Katz]

I think you'll be competing with Rube Goldberg and Murphy for the job.

 

[Pure]

I've looked at the ones used at the Jag games here to get you too and from the parking lots and they seem pretty straight forward. Really shouldn't be more than basic mechanical skills needed. So if you got em use em.

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

I saw hundreds, maybe thousands of electric pedi-cabs in China.

All looked very simple to build I would go for it.

Good to know, thanks man.

I think you'll be competing with Rube Goldberg and Murphy for the job.

You know, I had to look that first name up, but now I get it! Come to think of it, when I wanted to design a pedal powered garden debris shredder in my high school pattern & foundry class, I think that is the same guy he mentioned when he saw my overly complex and that a pedal power shredder was too impractical! Little did he know if I had designed it and sold it I might be rich now!! :lol:

I've looked at the ones used at the Jag games here to get you too and from the parking lots and they seem pretty straight forward. Really shouldn't be more than basic mechanical skills needed. So if you got em use em.

Great, I think I'll just add a few extra wrenches to my 20+ mile trip pack and hopefully I will build it the same day I go to see it. 8)

Thanks all for the information.

 

[amberwolf]

If you can build the bikes you have, you can almost certainly do this, as long as you have or have access to all the right tools. (or are good at improvising)

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

If you can build the bikes you have, you can almost certainly do this, as long as you have or have access to all the right tools. (or are good at improvising)

Yeah, not knowing how large the bolts maybe be is a bit of a disadvantage, but I have quite an assortment of basic tools that I would take on the 40+ mile round trip it will take to visit the Lady who has it, and as a plus, there is a fully assembled pedicab at the same place to compare to along with some instructions (most likely in Chinese) that I can use to help too.

I was just really relieved that this isn't the same 250W/350W 24V system that the same guy who told me of this Lady who needed a hand is selling.

He had mistakenly thought I would be installing one of the 250W 24V kits to something like a Schwinn Meridian and I was dreading it since I am sure that would be a grossly inadequate motor for the job especially since she has Polio, and has to use more electrical assist than most to get going on a bike.

 

[USAEBIKECO]

I tried working with pedicab companies here in Chicago and there are a few things that get in the way.

1. City inspections ( Pedicabs cannot be motorized)
2. Insurance ( too high of premiums)


Great idea, but not feasible