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A bicycle with the chain 
and sprockets completely enclosed
 

This is a supplement to Part 14: Leadership for the economy


Here are some photos of a bicycle that I modified in the 1980s to completely enclose the chain and sprockets. Click the images for a larger view.
This shows the front of the bicycle. The covering is two sheets of plastic that were vacuum formed over two pieces of particleboard that I cut by hand. I put a crisscross pattern in the front half to stiffen it. The two halves of the cover are held together with five metal clips. In the upper right corner is a slot that can be open so that the front cover can pull off without removing the pedals.
Looking from the rear of the bicycle, you can see the inside half of the cover is attached to the bicycle frame. The chain and sprockets are completely protected from dirt and rain.
Another view of the rear of the bicycle. The power is transmitted to the wheel through two high-strength steel bolts.
When the two bolts are removed, the back wheel comes off, but the chain and sprocket remain on the bicycle frame.
The chain and sprocket remain completely enclosed even when the wheel has been removed, so the person never gets his hands filthy. Also, I used the sealed ball bearings to further reduce maintenance and filth.