Group 22 Beginner Cruiser: Request for Proposal

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GROUP INFORMATION

Steven Leslie: Group Leader and Communications Manager:

• Main contact and coordinator for the group. Responsibilities include notifying all team members of meeting time, places, and goals.
  

Tom Nowak: Dissection and Photo Documentation Expert:

• Responsibilities include documenting the dissection of the product with photos, and aiding in the overall dissection of the product.
  

Ted Pitera: Dissection Manager and Solid Modeling Leader:

• Responsibilities include creating the solid model used in final documentation of the product, as well as overseeing the dissection process by all other members of the group.
  

Malcolm Adams: Chief Wiki and Dissection Expert:

• Responsibilities include chief editor of the wiki page, as well as overall editing of the project. Also aids in the overall dissection of the product.
  

Matt Handley: Dissection Expert and Product Documentation:

• Responsibilities include written documentation of the entire product dissection process and aiding in the overall dissection of the product.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Work Proposal

Work Proposal:

Group 22 and 21 are working on the mini road bike. Group 21 is reverse engineering the front half of the bike while our group, 22, is taking apart the back end of the bike. For front half of bike disassembly see Group 21. Although both groups are working independently, both groups will be meeting the third week in order to take apart the engine together. This will ensure neither group is short handed time for dissection.

Materials:

For our group to reverse engineer our product, we need to have the right tools. A few of the tools that will be needed are a ratchet and socket set, an Allen wrench set, needle nose and Flathead pliers. The Allen wrenches as well as the ratchet and socket set will be used for the majority of the disassembly. The Philips and Flathead screwdrivers will be used for smaller components such as the light. The Flathead will be specifically used for the valves on the carburetor. A crescent wrench will be used for removing the front fork from the frame of the bike. A gear puller and channel locks are also good tools to have for the project.

Time:

1. We will take a week to take apart the brakes, gears, and rear wheel assembly. Our plan is to take everything behind the engine while group twenty-one takes everything in front of the engine.
2. The front fork, headlight and handle bar assembly will be taken apart by Group 21. This will eliminate the need for both groups to perform the assembly and disassembly of the bike twice. For front half of bike disassembly see Group 21.
3. Finally the engine and clutch will take the remaining two weeks to take apart and analyze.

For a more detailed view of Group 22's proposed time line see the Gantt chart under the Management Proposal section.

Challenges:

Some challenges we are expecting to encounter include taking apart the clutch, reassembling the engine, reassembling the pull start, taking the gears off, and putting the brakes back into working order. The clutch works on centrifugal force using springs to engage and disengage the power to the rear wheel, group members who have worked with clutches before explained how difficult they can be to work with. The reassembly of the engine needs to done in such a way that all of the peaces must go in and be tightened to a manufacturer specific tolerance. As for the gears some of them look to be held on by only a bolt while others look like they were pressed onto a spine and if that’s the case a gear puller may or may not work. The reassembly of the brake is the last part that we foresee having a problem with, not that we think it is overly difficult but experience says that it may take a few tries to get them to an acceptable state.

Capabilities:

Members of group have owned a motorbike prior to project and are familiar with the parts and components of the project bike. One member has experience with computers well enough to work on the Wikipedia web site. One member has experience completely taking apart an engine. The back end of the bike has the brake components, and multiple members are familiar with taking off and reapplying brakes on vehicles.

Shortcomings:

Most members don’t have much solid modeling skills or web site building skills. Time constraints on the due dates will be challenging since all members are full time students. Most of the group members have not taken apart an engine, and the engine is agreeable to be the most testing part on the project.

Management Proposal

The following Gantt chart outlines our plan from start to finish including reassembly and delivery of the project. The chart starts from October 20th 2009 and is separated into 10 day increments until the final due date of December 11th 2009. The opening steps of the project are located at the bottom of the chart and the final portion of the product is located at the top of the chart.

Table 3.1: Gantt Chart

Initial Product Assessment

What is the intended use of your product?

Our product is meant to be used as a recreational vehicle for off road riding, as well for regular day-to-day transportation. The product is more aimed at home use rather than professional use. The bike has off road and racing capabilities. The two functions that can be used for this product are transportation and even the possibility of hauling small loads. Also, and possibly the most fun, would be the function of racing the motorbike.

How do you think the product works?

A 196cc gasoline engine drives our product. The gasoline is used in a combustion process that powers a shaft that will turn a chain attached to the rear wheel. The front of the bike has a freely rotating wheel that enables the bike to turn, as well as an automatic headlamp for safety. During the combustion process, chemical energy is used to produce mechanical energy. There is also electrical energy, radiation energy, and internal energy used in our system. The chemical energy is transformed into mechanical energy to move the bike, and into electrical energy to power the headlamp. The light in the headlamp is emitted radiation energy, and there is internal energy stored in the original gasoline used to start the system.

How complex is the product?

The most complex part of our mini road bike is its engine. However looking more closely, each individual component becomes less and less complex as your break it down. The mini bike is less complex then a regular motorcycle, or even a car, but much more complicated than a human powered bike. We estimated that there were around 50 or so components used. This number includes the brakes, frame, tires, light, engine, capacitor, chain, shaft, and many other components that go into making the bike functionable.

What materials are used?

The product is comprised of many different materials both seen on the surface of the bike and in the engine. Some of the materials that are not clearly visible are different metals, rubber, plastics, copper wires, and padding for the seating. More materials that are visible include glass, metal, plastics, and leather/fabric for the seat.

If you had to use this product, would you be happy with it?

Our group decided that yes, we would all be happy with using this product, especially after testing out the product on 10/7. The seat on the bike is very comfortable with ample cushioning for a comfortable ride. The bike is also extremely easy to use. There are no gears to worry about, as well as no worry of accidentally switching into neutral. Yes, the product does require some regular maintenance. The servicing can include maintenance on the engine, oil, fuses, tire pressure, and replacing a light bulb. The service on the bike does range from easy maintenance to difficult/time consuming maintenance.

What other alternatives to this product are there?

Being as there so many different bikes available, there are always alternatives to our mini motorcycle. You can always use alternative transportation such as a car, a train, or a bus. A few alternatives to our mini bike include a Baja Heat mini bike, costing about $720, a Harley Davidson motorcycle costing around $16,500, and a 200cc dirt bike costing about $800. Some advantages for the Harley are the performance and the name. The dirt bike is able to go faster than our mini bike, and is quite more agile. The Baja Heat mini bike is a comparable item to our in cost and performance. The disadvantages include the cost of a Harley motorcycle. In addition, a dirt bike can be very dangerous, and you have to buy extra gear for all of the bikes. Also bad weather will inhibit a motorcycle rider for riding, and accidents are often more deadly and dangerous on a motorcycle than in any other vehicle.

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