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For the last couple of days I’ve been contemplating the idea of converting a grand piano into a road-legal tricycle, with either no motor (which would mean it’d
by chrismorgan 5y ago
For the last couple of days I’ve been contemplating the idea of converting a grand piano into a road-legal tricycle, with either no motor (which would mean it’d need some extremely low gearing) or no more than 250W (the limit in Australia). It’s more an amusing idea than anything else, but who knows, if the velomobile and trailer I’m planning (with my 11.5kg Yamaha P-45 digital piano built into the trailer as well as a small fridge and other such stuff for indefinite touring as I cycle round the country) goes well, maybe eventually I will convert a grand piano just for fun. It occurred to me today while cycling and mulling over the legal requirements of bicycles in Victoria that if the piano was playable while in motion, it might not even need a bell… (Road Safety Road Rules 2017, 258(b): “a bell, horn, or similar warning device, in working order.”)
I’ve also been amusing myself imagining ways this grand piano tricycle could be prepared for certification as a self-contained vehicle in New Zealand (typically the domain of RVs and some vans). If you didn’t care about complying, the basics of camping would actually be fairly simple—sling a hammock underneath it!
- bserge 5y agohttps://youtu.be/tesr1OyymXo https://youtu.be/tesr1OyymXo heh
- omnicognate 5y agoI had a memorable dream once where I was going down the motorway at the keyboard of a grand piano. Please make this a reality.
- chrismorgan 5y agoLook, honestly, if someone delivered a grand piano to me with this request but no expectations, I’d probably try converting it before going ahead with my velomobile. Although it’d require some heavier-duty design (e.g. it’d need something sturdier than my recumbent trike’s two 90mm drum brakes, and typical bike suspension parts would probably not be adequate but I think it’d need suspension, unlike my recumbent trike), it’d be easier in most ways because you’re already acknowledging you don’t care much about weight or aerodynamics, and it’s expected to be fairly ridiculous. (… if that’s you, email me.)
- crtasm 5y agoA grand would be amazing, find someone to accompany you on double bass like Rimski & Handkerchief! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foXwSW34Bmk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foXwSW34Bmk
- chrismorgan 5y agoI think I’d like it able to be used as a single- or two-seater in some way or other, so you can get single-instrument duets—not quite the same, but something. Possibly some kind of modular seat/drivetrain linkage so that you can have zero, one or two. I haven’t planned this, it was just a stray thought yesterday that caught my sense of humour so that I’ve been dwelling on it further.