Engineering Students Build Universal Solution for Motorcycle Mechanics

Published: August 10, 2026

Author: Liz Dowell

When Greenville University engineering seniors Blanca Garcia-Quilez, Ruben Pullum, and Hiram Cruz began searching for a capstone project, they saw an opportunity to solve a challenge familiar to many motorcycle mechanics and enthusiasts.

Motorcycle repairs often require multiple engine stands designed for specific makes and models, creating unnecessary costs and frustration for repair shops and hobbyists alike.

To address this issue, the team designed a Universal Motorcycle Engine Stand Adaptor that allows a single stand to accommodate multiple motorcycle engines, simplifying maintenance while reducing costs.

Blanca Garcia-Quilez, Ruben Pullum, and Hiram Cruz spent their senior capstone experience designing a Universal Motorcycle Engine Stand Adaptor, a system intended to simplify engine maintenance while reducing costs for mechanics, repair shops, and motorcycle enthusiasts.

The team's motivation for tackling this issue began as a passion project.

"Our inspiration was one of our team members, Ruben, who is an avid motorcycle enthusiast," Garcia-Quilez said. "He has been working on motorcycle engines for as long as he can remember and has long been concerned with the challenge of needing different engine stands to accommodate engines from various motorcycle models."

This personal insight soon uncovered a broader challenge in the motorcycle community. With different engines requiring unique stands, mechanics and shops currently face significant investment costs. In response, the team designed a universal adaptor that fits multiple motorcycle engine types while attaching to a standard engine stand.

Simply put, one adaptor fits many engines.

"Our project is a universal motorcycle engine stand adaptor," Garcia-Quilez explained. "It’s compatible with many engine types and brands, so one stand serves multiple engines."

The benefits extend beyond convenience. The design was created with affordability, safety, and accessibility in mind, providing mechanics with better visibility and access to engine components during repairs and maintenance.

For Assistant Professor of Engineering Daniel Raja, the project demonstrated a core engineering principle: understanding a user's needs and delivering a practical solution.

"What stood out to me about the Motorcycle Engine Stand project was how clearly it addressed a practical, everyday challenge faced by mechanics," Raja said. "Thoughtful solutions to real problems often come from understanding the user's needs and responding with clarity, practicality, and intention."

Taking their idea beyond the drawing board, the project also challenged students to move past technical design and into real-world product development. The team conducted consumer research, performed market analysis, developed prototypes, and applied project management strategies learned throughout their time at Greenville University.

Of course, like many engineering projects, the road to completion had its complications.

Balancing classes, athletics, jobs, and senior-year responsibilities tested the team's ability to manage time effectively. To stay on track, they developed internal deadlines, scheduled weekly progress meetings, and built a project timeline around key milestones.

Each student contributed a unique strength to the project. Garcia-Quilez oversaw scheduling, budgeting, reporting, and project management. Pullum brought extensive motorcycle and mechanical expertise, while Cruz contributed building and prototyping skills. Together, they transformed an idea into a working design.

Looking back, Garcia-Quilez is most proud of what the team accomplished through collaboration and persistence.

"From generating ideas during extensive brainstorming sessions, to creating initial prototypes, conducting tests, and ultimately building our final prototype for presentation to the engineering board," she said, "all of this was achieved while managing our roles as senior students, holding jobs, participating in sports, and planning our futures beyond university."

Reflecting on these experiences, Raja emphasized that this is exactly what engineering education should provide.

"My hope is that students leave these projects not just with a finished product, but with genuine confidence in their ability to think and operate as engineers," Raja said. "These projects show them that engineering is not just about solving technical problems but about using their abilities in ways that contribute meaningfully to the world around them."

As students prepare to graduate, the Universal Motorcycle Engine Stand Adaptor stands as more than a capstone project. Instead, it reflects Greenville University's commitment to experiential learning—where students identify real problems, develop practical solutions, and discover how their skills can serve others long after graduation.