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Aluminum Kite Buggy Build Gets the Difubulater...

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WELDNGOD - 14-3-2009 at 12:59 PM

my forks weigh 11.5 lbs! :wow: and they are all alloy. Damn near bombproof.

SCREWYFITS - 14-3-2009 at 08:35 PM

Here you have it, 85% done...
I'll just post links and you can figure it out...
Tire, Rim and Hub...
Backside of the Hub...
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
When I get a chance, I'll label each one better than just #'s but you can see the big picture... These tires are my NABX tires 18x8.5x8, I also have some Nankang N800's 22x11x8 for it on another set of rims... I'm starting to itch for a ride:singing:...

flexiblade - 14-3-2009 at 09:34 PM

Coming together beautifully - love the mock up of the seat - I would suggest a seat belt for that - my seat is similar, not much bucket as a straight slide in, and when I do a power swoop of the kite the only thing that holds me in the seat is my trusty seat belt. Only a little ways to go - next weekend will be good tides down at Ocean Beach - should be a solid shake down before NABX. Again awesome workmanship - can't wait to see it in action.

SCREWYFITS - 15-3-2009 at 08:20 AM

I'll probably do that (make a seat belt), and since I was skerd of the seat belt I can always not use it, but have it just in case I grow some nuts...

In pics 2, 3, & 4 you can see the bright orange marine waterproof canvas that the seat and side rail covers will be made out of (SCREWY orange)...

In photo you can see my dog sniff'n the side rail padding for under the orange side rail covers...

BeamerBob - 15-3-2009 at 09:30 AM

That looks like a real buggy there screwy! I'm very impressed that you got such a nice looking result doing it all yourself. Really cool that you took a welding class as well. I would like to do the same someday myself. I'll be watching for reports on how it all works out.

SCREWYFITS - 15-3-2009 at 04:11 PM

Quote:

I'm very impressed that you got such a nice looking result doing it all yourself.

Thanx BB, I'm glad you have so much confidence in me... :lol::lol: Just kid'n... LMAO... I know you didn't mean it like that, I'm just a smart ass...

Thanx for the props, I give a lot of credit to PTW and WG for the inspiration... I am pretty proud on the way that it's turning out... The real test is yet to come...:puzzled:

You can bet I'll be posting the ride reviews, I'm hopeing to shake it down before NABX and give a pre-NABX ride report... And I hope it's positive...

popeyethewelder - 16-3-2009 at 01:25 PM

Well done so far Screwyfits, the buggy is coming along nicely, wont be long now before you are on on the beach as proud as punch....nothing beat rolling your new buggy out on the playa

WELDNGOD - 16-3-2009 at 01:57 PM

Screwy, I have one concern. How thick is the wall on those siderails? If you noticed how theMG Alu racer was constructed, it had a rail below the bent rail to stop the flexing. Aluminum has a way shorter fatigue life than say mild steel.If that frame flexes over and over, eventually it will crack in two.I made a round pipe buggy and I also put a rail under the bent one, for the same reason. Unless that is like schedule 120 pipe on those siderails, you may want to consider a modification.

0316091640.jpg - 191kB

SCREWYFITS - 17-3-2009 at 11:31 PM

Thanx PTW and WG,
I think the wall thickness is 1/8" or .125 and this was a concern of mine also but after I welded up the rails and was able to put pressure on them I felt more comfortable without the extra bar below... lets see what happens I can always make new side rails... It has zero flex by jumping on it... It will also have straps that run from the lower goose neck to the rear axle that the seat will be resting on so as to take pressure off the side rails...
The welding is done as of tonight and I have the seat to finish up tomorrow, then it's shake down time.. I'll get photos up tomorrow...

WELDNGOD - 18-3-2009 at 12:57 PM

And since you are an up and coming weldor, if youm break it ,you can just fix it! Pretty work dude!

SCREWYFITS - 18-3-2009 at 02:31 PM

Here is a lil taste...

I've been working on the seat and I'm taking a lil break to get you all a teaser...
The seat hardware just came in so when I'm done I'll get photos up...

WELDNGOD - 18-3-2009 at 03:18 PM

man, that looks nice, but w/wheels that heavy and pipe that thin ,I am really concerned. I hope I'm wrong, but I would have used heavy wall pipe ,due to the stresses involved.I really think you should reconsider the lower pipe mod.

Bro, you know I wouldn't steer ya wrong. You need more guts in the middle where the most loading is. Aluminum is not stainless, stainless is way more stiff.


If you do nothing, at least inspect it ALOT! So if fatigue cracks start you can stop riding. You will not get much warning of failure w/ alloy. It starts to show the cracks and then it is in two. Just hope you aren't in the middle of a speed record at the time.:wow:



peace WG

ragden - 18-3-2009 at 05:22 PM

looking nice dude.

awindofchange - 18-3-2009 at 05:41 PM

Looking saweeeet!!!

Now your gonna need to polish it up!

On your side rails, what you may want to do is double up your foam padding to get a thicker side rail tubing. Your buggy is super beefy looking and the thin side rails don't do it justice! (IMO anyways) Double up the foam padding and make them extra thick and it gives the buggy a beefier look and also gives you some extra cushion and holds you in the seat a bit better.

I am aching to get a close up look at this thing at NABX! and BTW as far as sneak info...we got something we're getting ready to unveil at NABX as well.....see ya all on the playa!

flexiblade - 18-3-2009 at 07:54 PM

Very, very nice work - can tell it's a true labor of love. If you'll be ready there is a good spell coming into Frisco on Sunday - 15mph (more like 18 - 22mph) NW winds - perfect for speed runs - low tide will be 3:20pm - perfect - tide will be receding around 10:30 am and will not come back till after 6:30pm - great day to be had.

SCREWYFITS - 18-3-2009 at 10:26 PM

Thanx everyone for the kind comments...
Polish or Powder coat is the question (I'm leaning toward the PC due to polish still scratches easy)... As for the double padding we are there already (great minds think alike) I think my padding is a lil thinner than your talking about though...
Flexiblade, Yeah, I'm down for Sunday... I'll call into work and use a can't see day...:saint: I defiantly need to shake it down... I have a few concerns also, same as WG mentions above... and if I have to add strength I only have 2 welding days left in class before NABX...
Well, I labored all day on the seat and I feel like I'm done, maybe one more strap up front...
Here are a few...

Side angle
Side view
Hope to get you a ride report on Sun...

WELDNGOD - 19-3-2009 at 02:04 PM

All you have to weld would be 4 joints, would not take long at all. Powdercoat is the way to go ,and it is getting cheaper too. Just make sure you are ALL done w/ it first. Godspeed on your maiden voyage .
WG

SCREWYFITS - 20-3-2009 at 03:29 PM

I agree, but I'm just running out of time with getting ready for NABX, making our Nor Cal, Kiters Flag, screen printing SCREWYFITS shirts, mowing the lawn, tuning up the Van for the voyage, and I could go on... If I take it for a shake down and I feel there is any flex, I'll be doing as you mention...

WELDNGOD - 20-3-2009 at 04:14 PM

Hey Screwy, Shouldn't you be makin "Screwywelds" shirts?

SCREWYFITS - 20-3-2009 at 06:45 PM

heeeah... I LIKE!!!! "SCREWYWELDS"
I'm designing my shirts to have NABX 2009 in the front and two "SCREWY Screws" , one on the front of each sholder and the "SCREWY Screw" on the back with SCREWYFITS written underneath...
I'll post photos if I get them done... 36 total, 12 orange SS tee's, 12 black SS tee's and 12 black long sleeve tee's...

Sthrasher38 - 25-3-2009 at 01:22 PM

Ok I know you and Doug went out today so let's hear how it went with the alumibug. Hope you guy's had a good time.

SCREWYFITS - 26-3-2009 at 09:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sthrasher38
Ok I know you and Doug went out today so let's hear how it went with the alumibug. Hope you guy's had a good time.

Ahhhh Yeeaahhh!!!
It was good... the bug was VERY VERY SOLID :singing: and without trying to hit any kind of speed mark, I ended up with a 39.6 MPH run (with a 4.5m Legend) and the bug was extremely stable at that speed... So higher speeds should be obtainable, look out NABX here I come...:P
I only have a photo of the bug on the beach, Flexiblade has video and I think photos of me bugging... I hope to get a copy of his photos and vids... We also got approached by some aspiring reporters from a university in Portland, Oregon and shot a ton of photos and interviewed Flexi and I for a good hour or so, I guess we will be part of some article online and when we get some info we/I'll post a link... in the photo shoot Flexi was showing off and flipped his bug and tweaked his shoulder some "GET WELL BUDDY" NABX needs you!!!
Anyhow here is the bug complete, ready for it's maiden voyage...

Sthrasher38 - 26-3-2009 at 10:05 AM

Look at that bug! Great job Screwy. How does it feel to ride in something that YOU built! Sweet, 39.6! Photo shoot, Interview, A crash! Dam you guys had a blast. I hope Flexi is ok. I am going to have to call him. Im not to worried about his shoulder he only uses one hand to fly his de-powers anyway. You really pumped it out quick too. How long did it take to build? Do you have a production line? If so, I want the first to come off. How much$$?

DAKITEZ - 26-3-2009 at 12:22 PM

Looking good Screwy!

I will bring some buffing pads so we can polish it up while we are waiting for the wind to blow at nabx :smilegrin:

kiteNH - 26-3-2009 at 01:07 PM

That is a very impressive home built buggy. Nice job.

SCREWYFITS - 26-3-2009 at 04:03 PM

Thanx fellas,
Them there are kind words...

Sthrasher38, I think DAKITEZ is in line already, I think he's up for mods for the Libre, I'm thinking a bigfoot forks and goose... But there will be a version 2, 3, 4... Once you build something like this you definitely get new ideas, and I've got quite a few... my time frame on this build was awfully short, by the way it ended up a 3 week and 3 day build from start to finish, :o WOW I didn't realize it was that fast myself...:o:o

I think the order of my builds will entail selling my first to build the second and so on... Maybe do a double build this next go around if I had a buyer for one of them, and I have no idea what I could/would charge for something like this as I'm not a professional by any means... I defiantly enjoyed the whole process, but think a slower build is in order on any future builds...

Oh, and it did feel good to ride what I built, but you are a lil on nerves edge thinking that something was forgotten or overlooked even not enough engineering... Buy the end of the day I was very proud of my results...:thumbup::thumbup:

flexiblade - 26-3-2009 at 07:28 PM

The fruits of your labors are well deserved - The conditions were alright for a first test (a lot of muddy and dusty sand to avoid), but your new baby performed exceptionally. I'll see if I can get that footage thrown together for a quick vid to add to this post. The shoulder is healing but very puffed up - should be a rainbow by tomorrow - lots of ice and some will power will get me through - see all yall at NABX.

P.S. showing off for reporters can be dangerous.

popeyethewelder - 28-3-2009 at 03:10 AM

Well done Scewy, you have turned out what is a very nice looking buggy, and in my mind, if it looks right, it is right....and as an added bonus it rides right too from your feedback which is brilliant. The modification that WG says will do your buggy no harm at all, and will give you an added piece of mind and will help, especially with the mod that I am also going to recommend.

If you do add the extra bracing across the bottom of the rails, your buggy will have loads of extra strength, and what I would also add to your buggy now you have tested it is a low back rest, not only will this add extra torsional strength to the buggy, it will also mean you will be able to fly with more power, because your will be able to brace yourself against the foot pegs and back rest, you will be surprised how much more rigid your buggy will become, just a couple of plates added to your side rails with a few holes in for adjustment and a piece of bent tube with a thread in the ends, job done.

Seeing this is your first buggy you have built, you have already set yourself a high bench mark, which is a great thing as your buggies will only get better and better. I remember when I built my first buggy, I had never seen a real buggy in the flesh, just the odd picture, so had no idea of dimensions etc....I never actually took the buggy out, but sold it, and it went to Australia with its owner. I then bought a PLxr with kenda Scorpion tyres on it and thought it was the mutz nutz....untill I went to the beach for the first time with it and saw Libres and Flexi buggies....I search the internet and realised I couldn't afford these expensive buggies and so seeing as I then had an idea of the size of these things went on to make the 06 Fandango Buggy, and the rest as they say is history, now I seem to cant make them quick enough, I have only just finished my new Dominator 2 buggy and someone has already bought it and my trailer to go with it....

My company where I work is closing down and I will be made redundant in the next few weeks, which will hinder me greatly making buggies, as although I make 99% of the buggy at home, there are still parts like drilling holes and bending stainless that I have to do at work, so I don't know where I will go from here. In my mind the Dominator 2 was the World Heavy Weight Champion of Buggies, I dont think I can better a buggy at all, and now thats going, I am still left with the World Middle Weight Champion Buggy, that being the Cheetah weighing in at 37kgs, that buggy would be awesome at the NABX for sure.

There is no where near the need for top end buggies for me to make a living out of it, it will always be a hobby that pays for a hobby, and that is kite buggying, the sport we all love.

Keep up the excellent work Screwy, and I look forward to all your future creations

You have been added to the hall of fame


Screwys Buggy No 247

Hope all you guys have a blast at the NABX, I wish I could be with you, fly safe and pad up well

WELDNGOD - 28-3-2009 at 05:23 PM

I'm sorry to hear about the job Carl, that really sucks.You got any leads on a new one yet? I wish you the best of luck dude. Any chance of you getting a loan or somethin ,to say start up your buggy fabrication facility. I mean maybe fate is twisting just for you right now. You definitely got skills ,and I'm sure you could become the "JESSE JAMES" of custom kite buggies.
Keep us posted on your status bro'
WG

SCREWYFITS - 28-3-2009 at 05:24 PM

Thanx for everything PTW, you are a true inspiration...
The low back rest is in the future now that you mention and I look back at the 1st run and realize the benefit... I do have a cross brace in the rear that I'd like you to see, I think you'll appreciate, I'll post on Monday...
The brace under the side rails maybe a project for after NABX... no time and no access to the welders till I get back...
Again, you are a true inspiration "THANX"
I got it out for your 54.3 mph, now lets see what I can do at NABX... I'll be so surprised if I can handle 50 mph without stopping to clean my under's, should I get some "depends" so I can keep going and clean later... I know, I know.... it "depends" right?:lol:
Later all...

SCREWYFITS - 11-4-2009 at 02:32 PM

Hey everyone!!!

Well time to give a ride report and reveal the secret to those that didn't make it to NABX...
first here is the secret...

It's my shear cross bracing a "SCREW and crossbones" I'd like to thank my cuz Sean Venes at "svsengineering.com" for this fine CNC machining and some lathe work he did for me... I got something coming your way real soon...

Now for the ride report;

First off the ride at NABX was a lil rough so a lil pressure was released to accommodate and that worked perfect...

Then the steering was a lil twitchy at speed, so, unable to adjust the head angle while at NABX I opted to move the front tire to the highest hole in the front forks which drops the ride height down to barley over an inch clearance :evil:, and this helped a bunch, the bug is gonna get some mods (new head angle) soon to resolve this problem... Trying to engineer a adjustable head angle goose neck... I've seen a few but want to be a lil unique and still be strong...

Next was the issue of weight, and I expected this to be a problem but didn't have the time or the resources to weight it down in the few days before NABX, here I'd like to thank "Flexiblade" for his quick thinking, he grabbed one of his backpacks and filled it with playa sand from across the staging area and strapped it to the rear of the bug, "WOW" that helped tremendously, if I'd only had another for the front :puzzled::ticking:...

That being said, this problem will be resolved by some removable weights, and I'll have to fab up some sort of bracket to be able to add a lil or a lot, depending on the conditions... look for future post on the upgrades...

So... after all this, I took it out on Thursday at NABX with a 2m Pansh Legend in gusty a$$ winds and that kite was not O.K. with these conditions, and hit a 42.1mph (without knowing), then I slowed down due to the front end starting to hop from the "playa chips" (real rough surface in some areas) I'm also entertaining the idea of my hub being out of round or unbalanced tire and looking into this...

Here is my GPS pic from that run... I didn't beleive it myself when I saw it, because I was just trying to cruz the playa with an easy going kite (that wasn't) and came back with this on the GPS...

Sorry Popeyethewelder couldn't match ya this go around, but I'm still gunning for ya :smilegrin:...

I'd like to thank everyone that came over with a truck full of complements, taking photos and asking questions (it really boosted my ego :saint: )...

I'd also like to complement all of other buggy builders that where out there, I seen a lot of very unique buggies and fantastic ideas... Great job everyone!!! Can't wait to see everyone again next year!!!

I'm expecting to adopt some ideas from several bugs that I saw there to achieve my goal with this bug and future bugs...

Another real quick "THANX" to Sean V. (my broham cousin at svsengineering.com) check him out "bad a$$ #@%$#!e", Flexiblade, the Nor-Cal Kiters (for representing) and the all mighty NABX crew (a bow down to ya)
I had a great time and expect to be back...

"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU"

Bladerunner - 11-4-2009 at 03:21 PM

Hey Screwy',


I think YOU may be the person I'm most thrilled to have finally met. I LOVE your style! With a Screwy Avatar you set yourself up to be judged and then blow them away with your functional ideas! A visionary ! Open to ideas. If you want to you can be a leader in this new wave of buggies ? :thumbup:

On that note : I'm sending you a U2U with a question or 2 !

SCREWYFITS - 11-4-2009 at 03:45 PM

Thanx BR,

I have to admit you are one fun MoFo, I really enjoyed meeting you and the Canadian crew, you all are a good kick in the pants and I wish I woulda had the chance to hang out with you all more at the hotel... aaahh, we got next year...

I'm kinda jealous of Sthrasher and your competitions, I think I'm gonna crash your competitions next NABX:yes:... especially the jump contest :P...

PS: I got your U2U and I'll look into it and I'll U2U you back soon... How many are you needing? 6? 3 ea. side? anyway you could get me a broke one to reference?
Sorry for hijacS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-n my own thread :puzzled:... I'll U2U you about this...

Bladerunner - 11-4-2009 at 04:59 PM

Ha Ha,

I was just looking at the broken one and thinking I can send it EASY !!!

The only thing that needs creative thinking is the Spot for the Tubes knozzle ! The rest is simple lathe work, I think ???? We are talking new high speed rims for the Coyotes by the way. :wee:

U2U on it's way!

WELDNGOD - 14-8-2009 at 06:27 PM

hey screwy, can we get an update on the alumabug you made? How is it now? any probs?

popeyethewelder - 15-8-2009 at 12:13 AM

Great write up Srewy....42.1mph is impressive...but Ivanpah doesn't count lol, its far too easy to get records on there....try doing it on a narrow undulating beach lol...just kidding.

The back bracing looks very smart, I like that, it sound as though you had a wicked time at the NABX....just wish it was closer to me

Job wise I was given another 8 weeks, 5 left to go, so I am still hanging in there but 50% of the workforce have already left

I have added your PB to the buggying records well done again

http://pic7.piczo.com/Popeyethewelder?g=50572934

Carl

SCREWYFITS - 8-9-2009 at 10:05 AM

Thanx Popeye,
WG No problems outside the rake and weight is too light...

OK, it's been a while since I've commented on here... I'm just going to post a photo and a link to more photos...
Link to Lastoftheninth.com

We had a great day at the sod farm and my cuz took these photos for us "THANX JAMES" finally getting enough wind to pull this bad boy around... the tires are so wide that the drag on the sod is huge... got'er up and going good though... she still needs some tweaking on the rake, added weight blocks and some narrow tires... all in due time... should have all this remedied and a new bug build by next NABX "2010"... keep posted...:spin:

BeamerBob - 8-9-2009 at 12:47 PM

Hey Screwy, you need to do something to get that bad boy down a little lower to the ground! ;) Hats off to making your own ride dude. Must be satisfying to ride around in your own creation. Now you'll never be able to stop messing with it.

SCREWYFITS - 8-9-2009 at 01:42 PM

Heeeaaah!!!

It's actually about an 1.5" higher than when at NABX...
The grass drags on the lower part of the neck and the seat and slows me down, now it just brushes the grass...

I'm hoping that after the rake change, weight addition and narrow tires, I'll be content enough to start a freestyle/freeride buggy...

Aluminum, chrome moly or stainless don't know yet... Defiantly should be exciting...

WELDNGOD - 9-9-2009 at 01:21 PM

soon you will be like me . I got 2 finished bugs in the garage and another one hanging from the rafters that needs wheels and powdercoat. And a stainless bug on the floor 1/2 done. And tons of mods floating in my head.
WG

WELDNGOD - 9-9-2009 at 01:26 PM

And don't forget who started the alloy bug revolution. ;)

popeyethewelder - 9-9-2009 at 02:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by WELDNGOD
And don't forget who started the alloy bug revolution. ;)



yeah Parastorm Typhoon lol

Ally Buggy

WELDNGOD - 9-9-2009 at 02:09 PM

fair enough,but I was thinking more DIY not commercial.

popeyethewelder - 9-9-2009 at 10:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by WELDNGOD
fair enough,but I was thinking more DIY not commercial.


Quite true my friend...and yours are probably much stronger, they do have their problems

SCREWYFITS - 14-9-2009 at 10:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by WELDNGOD
soon you will be like me . I got 2 finished bugs in the garage and another one hanging from the rafters that needs wheels and powdercoat. And a stainless bug on the floor 1/2 done. And tons of mods floating in my head.
WG


I'm defiantly headed that direction, I'm hunting a Dynasty down and then it's on!!!:spin:
:singing:
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