Making of the Hennepin Crawler (photos)

See how Krank-Boom-Clank, a kinetic industrial arts collective in Santa Rosa, Calif., rolled out one of their mutant ride-able sculptures.

CNET Reviews staff

May 8, 2010 6:00 a.m. PT

CNET Reviews staff

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1 of 9 Clifford Hill/Sassy Monkey Media

Recycled swing bench

Crave inaugurates its DIY Weekend series with a look at the Hennepin Crawler, a funky (and functional) four-wheel art car that took six months to build.

Here, a recycled swing bench seat sits atop the giant rear wheels awaiting its padding base.

Read more in our related article: "DIY Weekend: Mutant four-wheeler for road, rail"

2 of 9 Clifford Hill/Sassy Monkey Media

Mountain bike tires

Members of Krank-Boom-Clank, a kinetic industrial arts collective in Santa Rosa, Calif., cut knobby 26-inch mountain bike tires and attached them to the outside of the Crawler's big wheels.

Read more in our related article: DIY Weekend: Mutant four-wheeler for road, rail"

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Removing bike tire beads

Krank-Boom-Clank member Clifford Hill removes the "beads" from bike tires so they can be stretched over the big wheels.

Read more in our related article: DIY Weekend: Mutant four-wheeler for road, rail"

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Drum attached to cable

As with an antique boat, a drum is attached to cable to steer the front tires. Krank-Boom-Clank used about 90 percent found parts to make its contraption.

Read more in our related article: "DIY Weekend: Mutant four-wheeler for road, rail"

5 of 9 Clifford Hill/Sassy Monkey Media

Tightening the wheel spokes

Tightening the wheel spokes evenly required many turns. The Hennepin Crawler can handle both street and limited railroad-track cruising.

Read more in our related article: "DIY Weekend: Mutant four-wheeler for road, rail"

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Drum steering assembly

David Farish, one of four creators of the Crawler, messes with the drum steering assembly.

Read more in our related article: "DIY Weekend: Mutant four-wheeler for road, rail"

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Hammock frame

A rear view of the discarded free-standing yard hammock frame that was used as the frame for the Hennepin Crawler.

Read more in our related article: "DIY Weekend: Mutant four-wheeler for road, rail"

8 of 9 Clifford Hill/Sassy Monkey Media

Transfer axle

A shot of the transfer axle, starting with the pillow block and stretching down the axle that transfers pedal power from four riders to a single motorcycle chain for driving the main axle.

Read more in our related article: "DIY Weekend: Mutant four-wheeler for road, rail"