Group 17 - Beginner Dirt Bike/RFP

Work Proposal

Plan

Figure 1 Timeline of events

This group of four students have shared the duties as delegated, by proficiency and dexterity ratios. The least proficient with regards to a specific task within the group will hence be considered last for such a function. The group will strive to attain independence and co-dependence for the assigned duties, depending on the relationship between the gate deleiverables and the steps required to attain such. The time management schedule is difficult to assess at this point but the group will be following Figure 1 for her time-line of events. The members will need to inform the group long beforehand concerning any and all unavailabilities that are scheduled to take significant assigned time off such a member in such a case as will tamper with the proper flow of events. Miscellaneous time is hence assigned aside for such events as well as an alternative assignment of duties. Significant to note however is the fact that no two members can or may be allowed off duty at the same time. The group will be redundant to this extent with the member in question applying more effort to the subsequent gates.

Initial Disassembly Process

Step	Part	Tools	Notes
1	Seat	Screwdrivers	Can be easily removed first since its located on the exterior.
2	Brake	Screwdrivers and Ratchets	Next we will work on removing the brakes
3	Shocks	Adjustable Wrench	After we have the brakes removed we can pull the shocks off.
4	Exhaust	Pliers	Since we have most of the exterior removed we will now work towards the engine by pulling out the exhaust. This will leave pretty much the engine and the transmission
5	Clutch	Wrenches and Ratchets	Removed from the exterior of the engine
6	Ignition	Screwdrivers	Removed from the exterior of the engine
7	Air Filter	Screwdrivers	Pulling off the air filter leaves only the Transmission and the Engine to be take apart
8	Transmission	Ratchets and Screwdrivers	Remove and then take apart separately
9	Engine	Ratchets, Screwdrivers, and Pliers	Core for the dirt bike. This can now be taken apart by itself since we removed everything surrounding it

Capabilities & Shortcomings

Our initial estimation for the length disassembly process is 2 weeks. Our main challenge in maintaining this deadline is our availability. Since we have a large product we can’t remove it from the lab. This requires us to meet in the lab when the TA’s have office hours. A minor challenge is that no one in our group has actual experience working on cars, bikes, or engines. So disassembling the bike will have a learning curve at first. But we should be able to make up for this in the 3-D modeling and wiki parts of the project, because we have experience in both 3-D and website design.

Management Proposal

Group 17 consists of Mitchell Estadt, Margaret Scott, Oluwatobi Busari and Jason Stinson. Our main goal is to be productive as possible when working on our Reverse Engineering Team Project. The product we have to dissect is a beginner dirt bike. We plan on completing our project effectively and efficiently by dividing ourselves to the following positions:

Communications Manager:

Margaret Scott. As the Communications Manager, Margaret is going to be the main point of contact between Group 17 and the Professor and Teaching Assistants. She is also responsible for sending out emails to the group to remind them of due dates and group meetings. In addition, she is also going to send emails to make sure the necessary information gets to the Lead Wiki Developer. The best way to contact Margaret is through email, mscott3@buffalo.edu

Lead Wiki Developer:

Jason Stinson. As the Lead Wiki Developer, Jason will be primarily responsible for the submission and formatting of our work. In addition, he will make final revisions ensuring that the information posted is accurate.

Dissection Leader:

Mitchell Estadt. As the dissection leader, Mitch will be responsible for leading the group through the dissection process. He will be working very closely with the Design Specialist, getting him the necessary measurements of the fundamental parts that will be drafted.

Design Specialist:

Oluwatobi Busari. As the Design Specialist, Tobi is the primary resource for the CADD drawings of our model. It will be his responsibility to work closely with Mitch and ensure that he has all the necessary measurements for drafting.

Meeting Requirements:

At each meeting, we will have a set of goals to accomplish as determined by the Gantt Chart. We will have a brief meeting outside of Knox 104 at 4:50pm on Mondays in addition to a planned meeting every Wednesday from 5-6. This is in order to keep in touch with each other and to make sure we have a clear-cut understanding of our responsibilities for the week. Until dissection is over, we will meet on Wednesdays in 621 Furnas. Additional time may be allocated to work on the dissection; we will talk about these times in our meetings. Upon completing dissection, we will find an alternative meeting location.

Initial Product Assessment

Intended Use

The intended use of the mini-bike is as a mode of transportation and for entertainment. Because of this, the mini-bike is intended for home use. While it is necessary to have some training in riding motorbikes, it is not required that the user be a professional. It is possible, however, to use the mini-bike professionally. The only professional use would be by extreme sport riders doing tricks on the mini-bike. The product has many functions to be able to work as an entire unit. These functions include accelerating of the bike, braking the bike while at speed, changing the direction the bike is travelling in, and shock absorption. All of these individual functions of the mini-bike are necessary for it to work in the way it does.

How It Works

The mini-bike works by running on an internal combustion engine. In addition to the engine, the bike has a transmission with multiple gears. Many types of energy are used and converted in order to make the bike function. Chemical energy from the gas is lit by a spark plug and the fuel is combusted, turning it into heat energy. The heat expands in the engine and pushes pistons, converting the heat energy into mechanical energy. The pistons are connected to a drive shaft which rotates a gear. This gear has a chain connecting it to the back wheel. As the gear turns, the back wheel turns as well, causing the bike to move.

Functionality

The mini-bike is currently not functioning for a few reasons. The largest reason is that the bike has no fuel. Without fuel, the internal combustion engine cannot function which makes the bike completely useless. In addition to the lack of fuel, the bike’s back tire is out of air. While this does not render the bike completely useless, it makes its motion much less efficient. For example, the rim and inside of the wheel will rotate, but the tire will not have any traction with the ground. The bike may move, but it will not move nearly as efficiently.

Complexity

The mini-bike is fairly complex for a product intended for home use. In comparison to a bicycle, the mini-bike is very complex. Many bicycles have multiple gears, just like the mini-bike does. However, the mini-bike does not rely on energy from the user, but from fuel in the engine. The engine is what makes the mini-bike so complex in comparison to a normal bike. Compared to a full-sized motorcycle, the mini-bike is not very complex. Motorcycles have much more advanced engines and transmission systems. This allows motorcycles to travel at much greater speeds than the mini-bike. On a scale from one to ten, with one being a bicycle, and ten being a motorcycle, the mini-bike would be a six.

Materials

There are many materials used to make this product. One material used in majority of the mini-bike is steel. Some of these steel parts include the wiring in the brakes, the wheels, the frame, the engine and exhaust system, and the transmission. Other materials include rubber, which is used in the tires and handlebars, and plastic, which is used in the chassis of the bike. The seats of the mini-bike are made from foam(which is most likely a plastic based). Inside the mini-bike are some other materials. Obvious ones, which are required for the bike to work, are oil and gasoline. Without these, the bike cannot function. Other materials include a conductive wiring for electrical components, such as copper. Many materials used on the outside are likely to be found on the inside as well, such as steel and rubber. The vast amount of materials required to make the mini-bike reinforces the idea that it is a fairly complex product.

Level of Satisfaction

Our group felt as though if we had to use this product, we would not be satisfied. This is primarily because of size constraints and maintenance issues found when we received the bike. The mini-bike is not very comfortable, as the targeted consumers are in the mid-teens age range, causing the average full-grown person’s knees to reach the handlebars. However, the mini-bike is very user-friendly and straight forward, thus making it easy to use. Regular maintenance is required on the mini-bike as the oil will need to be changed and the gas tank refilled. Also, air pressure on the tires should be taken to ensure there is no tear in the tire. However, these maintenance issues are very easy to service, making taking care of the mini-bike quite simple.

Alternatives

When considering an alternative to the mini-bike, one has to consider what the intended use of the product is. While the mini-bike can be used strictly as a form of transportation, it is more commonly used as a form of entertainment. Therefore, other alternatives not only have to be able to transport a person, but be entertaining as well. Two fitting alternatives for the mini-bike would be a motor scooter, and a four-wheeler. These products are all gasoline powered vehicles intended for entertainment use by one person. In addition, they are all relatively safe as they do not travel nearly as fast as an automobile or motorcycle. There are many different types and brands of each product which makes their cost differ greatly. However, there is a general order of prices of each of these products due to the level of complexity. For example, the four-wheeler has a larger frame than the mini-bike or motor scooter, more wheels, and it has a stronger suspension designed for off-road travel. Consequently, the four wheeler costs more than the other two alternatives. The motor scooter is cheaper than the mini-bike, as it does not have multiple gears. As complexity of any given product rises, the price of that product will rise as well. Although this seems bad, more complex products will give the user different and often better functions while using it. For example, the strong frame and suspension of the four-wheeler, along with the stability given by having four wheels, allows the user to travel off road in a more stable manner than the mini-bike or the motor scooter. The mini-bike is much more compact than a four wheeler, making maneuvering while traveling on the road easier. In addition, the mini-bike’s compact shape allows it to be easily stored without taking up much space. As the motor scooter is not as complex and does not require as many materials as the other two products, it is the cheapest alternative. However, the cheapest choice does not mean the best, as it does not have as many functions as the four-wheeler or mini-bike. Each alternative product has both advantages and disadvantages, and these need to be considered when buying and using the product.

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