Used Trike Rear Axle

SPOTLIGHT: Special tricycles help children in need

But these dreams have become reality for four years with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, thanks to the work of Gordon and Connie Hankins.

Naperville their home, the Hankinses customize nearly 100 a year tricycles for children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida. On many tricycles, straight handlebars were replaced with factory-installed. Pedals were built with blocks so that children can reach them, and straps to hold their feet up. Bucket seats are equipped with straps and a wide rear axle ensures they do not fall.

Frankie was introduced to the tricycle modified earlier this spring during a therapy session at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton.

"She wants to ride throughout the physical therapy and all Marianjoy more," said his mother, Dana Robertson of Hanover Park. "While the therapist has related Hankinses, and Frankie was quickly approved for the bike very clean."

Dana said she remembers taking Frankie to pick up his red and white tricycle Roadmaster that has since been decorated with streamers and a bell pink rhinestone.

"Gordon put it on and it would not go down.She wanted to stay on it in the car, "says Robertson." I had to compromise and seat belt bike in the car next to her for the return trip. "

Midori Elias, 5, of Glendale Heights also had to be dug away from his new tricycle before a recent surgery to straighten his legs.

"The doctor said it can not run again in two weeks, and counting the days," said Midori's mother, Janet Elias. "She loves to ride, ride, ride, because it makes her feel like other children."

Reactions like that keep Hankinses go.

"The driving force is our faith, because we want to convey God's love to those who need it," said Connie Hankins. "You see these children and the joy it brings. This is our blessing. "

Connie Hankins got involved with the program of tricycle 14 years ago. She and Gordon, a former employee of Lucent Technologies, joined the club in suburban West Pioneer Telecom Pioneers, a social and service for current employees and retirees of the telecommunications industry.

The club buys the tricycles in three sizes - 10 -, 12 - and 16-inch frames - and Hankinses special order parts.They lost the provider of the frame 16 inches, however, and the fear they are no longer able to provide the size tricycles for children in need.

"They'll be gone by the end of this year unless you find a supplier," Connie said.

Atomic Zombie DIY Bikes, Recumbents, Trikes, Choppers, Velos and ...

The TimberWolf combines the agile and speedy characteristics of a racing trike, along with the comfort and practicality of a shopping trike to bring you the best of both worlds. Having a seat height of around 16 inches gives the TimberWolf a good stance for urban traffic yet allows for some very agile handling characteristics with the ability to take corners at a much higher speed than what would be possible on an upright delta trike. Almost all of the components needed to build the TimberWolf can be purchased as inexpensive common bicycle parts at just about any bike shop and the main frame is made out of standard mild steel tubing. The rear wheels are also standard bicycle rims laced around a set of easy to make hubs that cost only a few dollars to build, so you will not have to spend a lot of money on specialized or difficult to find rear wheels or parts. This plan will take you through every step of the build process with detailed photos, using methods of construction that allow alternate parts or design ideas to be used with less risk or error. As with all Atomic Zombie DIY plans, read the entire plan before purchasing any materials so you can decide if you want to modify the design or use alternative components you may already have on hand. There will be no strict “materials list” or “cut list” given here since reading the plan over before starting your build will address all of the materials and components needed. Don’t be afraid to try your own design modifications as there is plenty of room to alter the plan along the way, and if you are unsure about an idea, drop by our Builder’s Forum and toss out your idea for discussion.

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