ICTKITEFLYER - 12-5-2010 at 04:56 PM
I need some advice on what to do for the Head tube you know the part that connects the front fork to the downtube. Is it as simple as getting some
bearings and a small piece of pipe or can I buy one? I was thinking of cutting one off a bike maybe...
mougl - 12-5-2010 at 05:45 PM
Have you checked out popeyes web site yet? He's got a lot of great info there
ICTKITEFLYER - 12-5-2010 at 07:20 PM
O yeah I love that website he's the man!!! I just sit and scroll all day at least for the past two weeks figuring out how I am going to build my buggy
got almost all the parts just need to get it to the shop and get to welding. Pretty excited... We'll see how it goes...
flexiblade - 12-5-2010 at 07:50 PM
The 2 guesses and the suggestion of visiting Popeye's site will do the trick. A headstock from a bike works great (tricky welding thin bike material
depending on the type of welding unit used and the skill of the welder). And some cut plate and pipes (forks and head tube bearing housing) will do
it with a little more pizazz. Popeye's site will show examples of both.
Here's an old pic of my bug with a mono-fork with a bicycle head tube. The mono-fork only lasted a few sessions until I smashed it into a sand burm,
there is a reason you don't see too many of these.
Here's the same bug with a fully custom built head tube (still using this one)
and here are some plans that I made for some forks and foot pegs that I made for cheesycheese.
ICTKITEFLYER - 12-5-2010 at 08:39 PM
Hey man thanks alot is that a lawn mower seat? I just got one like that today... It felt pretty comfortable...
ICTKITEFLYER - 13-5-2010 at 04:50 PM
I bought a downtune off of a PL comp buggy today at the local kite store... easy enough.. the downtube alone cost more than the rest of the frame....
SCREWYFITS - 13-5-2010 at 05:45 PM
give us some pics of your progress, we all love the innovation of our fellow kiters/buggy builders...
Good luck and keep it up...
ICTKITEFLYER - 13-5-2010 at 06:54 PM
Here’s a pic of what I have so far.
ICTKITEFLYER - 13-5-2010 at 06:54 PM
Yeah I guess the pic didn't make it in with the message. How do you do that?
mougl - 13-5-2010 at 07:06 PM
Upload to photobucket, then copy and paste the code here 
ICTKITEFLYER - 13-5-2010 at 07:13 PM
http://s839.photobucket.com/albums/zz311/ICTKITEFLYER/Kite%2...
flexiblade - 13-5-2010 at 09:30 PM
Do you have a pipe bender? I picked one up at harbor freight for $80 - would be perfect for bending your siderails. And yes that is a lawnmower seat
- for securing your seat in a cradle I found seatbelt straps, first epoxied then stapled before epoxy cures, bonds the straps really well. Example -
I would also suggest using clips attached to the strap rather than just permanently attaching the straps to the frame - makes doing alterations to the
bug and painting a lot easier.
and for putting in photos from photobucket just look under the photo and where it says "IMG Code" there will be a box, copy that info and simply paste
it into the post. should look like this - (I changed the last bit from [/IMG] to [/ IMG] so you could see the code.
[IMG]http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/waxphone/photo4-7.jpg[/ IMG]
here's your bug parts -
ICTKITEFLYER - 14-5-2010 at 09:56 AM
I have most of the parts just need to get the welding done.... and a few bolts and back to buggying....
jellis - 14-5-2010 at 10:13 AM
I have head set bearing holders for the stem to fork connections for sale. I make quite a few different stem and fork setups and keep the machine shop
busy keeping my stock up. Ask Brex as he has used quite a few.
ICTKITEFLYER - 14-5-2010 at 11:54 AM
I will have to keep that in mind for the next buggy. Which I think I will make out of aluminum.... We will see....
flexiblade - 14-5-2010 at 04:33 PM
Just curious if you are going to weld the 2 pipes that you have pictured under you seat as they are (strait with no bends)? If so you need to take
into consideration the side pull of the kite - it will pull you right out of the seat rather than applying that force to a foward momentum. If you
could sketch out a design so we can see what your end goal is we can be of a lot more help and avoid critiqueing the misunderstood.
ICTKITEFLYER - 14-5-2010 at 08:57 PM
I have a seat belt that I was planning on using to keep me strapped in and since you mentioned it and from doing some research I just might add some
side rails. I wanted a really good ground clearance and right now I am at 7.5 in with the tires that I have. I have figured out where I will be
cutting the rails. They are 4ft now cut to 30 inches and then the 18 inches at a 140 degree angle to meet at the down tube. The 18 inches will be
shortened once I take out the spacing for the down tube and the side rails bolting I estimate around 16 inches but we will see. 1.5 in for the down
tube and 1/4 and 1/4 for the bolts to hold the down tube to the rails. Hope that all made some since...
flexiblade - 14-5-2010 at 11:23 PM
In the photo, the pipes under your seat look to be 1" which may be a bit small for a main support system unless you created a lattice network with the
tubes, this will add weight but will become more structurally sound. Here is what I think you're describing -
and here are what I think should be added.
Also a 2"x 2" square down tube will clamp up much easier than a round one - Popeye has been using round down tubes for a while now but his are using a
pretty beefy material with a lot of clamping pressure to lock it into place. A square tube by its nature will be more stable when clamped than a
round one.
flexiblade - 15-5-2010 at 11:24 AM
Just looked at your photo a little closer and realized that the pipe your using for a down tube and your side rails are actually square and
rectangular tubing. I would still reinforce your frame's structure - but the down tube should be good to go.
ICTKITEFLYER - 15-5-2010 at 02:48 PM
Yeah I will I have two sections that will be reinforced the seat will also sit on top of that part...
ICTKITEFLYER - 17-5-2010 at 03:57 PM
ahhh crap........
ICTKITEFLYER - 19-5-2010 at 06:30 AM
[IMG]http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz311/ICTKITEFLYER/buggyfrontview.jpg[/ IMG]
ICTKITEFLYER - 19-5-2010 at 06:30 AM
[IMG]http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz311/ICTKITEFLYER/buggywideview.jpg[/ IMG]
ICTKITEFLYER - 19-5-2010 at 06:33 AM
ICTKITEFLYER - 19-5-2010 at 06:33 AM
Maven454 - 19-5-2010 at 06:52 AM
I hope there's plans for side rails on that, otherwise you're likely to slide right off the seat.
ICTKITEFLYER - 19-5-2010 at 06:53 AM
Yeah there are this is just the progress pics....
flexiblade - 19-5-2010 at 08:55 AM
So how's it do with a sitting and a little bouncy test? I can tell your pretty cautious by the frame buildup - after you get it going you may want to
trim it down - but for the meantime if it rolls and can hold onto you - then it works. It will get you on your way to learning the basics of buggying
- and it looks like you already know how to fabricate - so your future is already decided - MOD MOD MOD oh and a little more modding because you felt
like it.
ICTKITEFLYER - 19-5-2010 at 03:36 PM
Yeah I use to own a PL comp so I know how to buggy.. I made it big enough for two people. The axle is 2inx2inx5ft, siderails 1in, downtube 1.5in. and
1in round tubing for the front forks. I need to measure the entire length havent dont that yet hopefully sometime this week it will get its powder
coat.... It rolls very nice and turns pretty well. One thing I need to fix is when I get out of the buggy the front fork cranks over and hits the
frame. I think its actually the pegs. I am hoping for the test run tomorrow.... I will have some more pics in my photobucket tonight....
ICTKITEFLYER - 21-5-2010 at 02:14 PM
I just got off the phone and the guys are done with the powder coating and I get to pick it up this evening. Sweet!!!!!!
WELDNGOD - 21-5-2010 at 03:42 PM
center of gravity is too high. You won't be able to hold down any power, cause as soon as you get some real side pull , your flippin'. Trust me,
already got that t shirt, and it can hurt. Wear lots of impact protection. Be careful.
flexiblade - 21-5-2010 at 10:02 PM
How much did the powder coating cost?
ICTKITEFLYER - 22-5-2010 at 04:50 AM
45 bucks.....
BeamerBob - 22-5-2010 at 06:33 AM
Dont' do it Flexi.............. You know you won't stop tinkering, even as nice as it is now.
cheezycheese - 22-5-2010 at 08:53 AM
45 bucks.....
wow, i paid a tad more than that just to get my fork PC'ed... :wow:
flexiblade - 22-5-2010 at 11:43 PM
Sorry, quick Hijack - How'd that work getting the forks powder coated Cheesy? Did you get a clear coat on them or go black?
To ICTKITEFLYER - did the $45 cover the whole frame, axle and front end?
cheezycheese - 23-5-2010 at 12:16 AM
@ Flexi- i got a zinc undercoat/speckle silver/clear coat. :duh: and after my first outing i regret it... it's impossible to keep it from getting
scratched and chipped. wish i wouldajust primed with a can of flat black.... looks great for now though
<end hi-jack>
ICTKITEFLYER - 23-5-2010 at 06:30 AM
Yeah it was 45$ for the entire frame.....
flexiblade - 23-5-2010 at 11:06 AM
One of the problems I first encountered when building was that you are going to be constantly tinkering and changing the frame, the axle, the front
end and so forth. That is one of the reasons I went modular on mine - easier to fix a part rather than deal with the thing as a whole for a simple
modification. The painting thing was another consideration - easier to sandblast and repaint a part rather than the whole thing. I'm curious to see
how the buggy is looking and behaving - any things you feel could be improved or things that you feel worked really well?
ICTKITEFLYER - 23-5-2010 at 12:16 PM
I will add some more pics when I get home tonight. My big issue right now that I am working out is the seat. I am going to have to figure out a better
way to secure it to the frame. The other thing is the front axle in the wheel I need to add some spacers. I have shaft collars keeping the front wheel
in line and I need to shorten the pipe that I am using for that part as well. The holes for the wheels are 1inch so for example my rear axle has a
1X6in bolt that was welded on the end. That works fine it's just a pain figuring out the front end. You'll see what I mean when I put the photo on
here. That part looks really ghetto along with the bungy cords helping stabilize the seat.
Other than that the buggy rides smooth and it's pretty quick. I used my tracks on my phone and reached a peak speed of 19mph in a hell bent field with
tall grass at least a foot high. Average was about 12mph. But I was also under powered only usuing a 2.0m Blade.
ICTKITEFLYER - 23-5-2010 at 12:16 PM
flexiblade - 23-5-2010 at 07:52 PM
Need larger pics with closeups and more angles to really see what's going on. Welding on some side rails will take a little thought and welding time
but creating a sling for the seat to sit in with seatbelt strap took me about an hour total - will hold the seat in place nicely and give you some
security as you hit higher speeds.
ICTKITEFLYER - 24-5-2010 at 08:25 AM
http://s839.photobucket.com/albums/zz311/ICTKITEFLYER/
ICTKITEFLYER - 24-5-2010 at 08:59 AM
Disreguard the previous link.
http://s839.photobucket.com/albums/zz311/ICTKITEFLYER/Kite%2...
popeyethewelder - 24-5-2010 at 01:35 PM
Well done Ictkiteflyer...very impressive first buggy, you are in the hall of fame, you will have gained a lot of knowledge from that build, and you
will gain much more when you start pushing it harder and harder...then you will starting tinkering as the guys have suggested, or even start afresh.
Welcome to the world of buggy building, and I look forward to watching your progress
ICTKITEFLYER - 24-5-2010 at 01:42 PM
Thanks that means a lot PPW. I am open to any critiques that might be out there. I am sure there are and a lot of things that I can learn and improve
upon. I have already had a few and will continue to work from those. Granted it would have been easier to just buy a buggy it was a lot of fun
building and designing. Plus I saved a ton of money. Grand total material wise I only spent $300 including the powder coating. I am already planning
the next build.
WELDNGOD - 24-5-2010 at 01:51 PM
your hooked !
mougl - 24-5-2010 at 02:13 PM
Hats off to you man! I think its so awesome that you can have a vision of what you'd like to have and build it from the ground up. I wish I had that
ability. All of the buggy builders here posess a talent that I know a lot of us here wish we had
flexiblade - 24-5-2010 at 09:24 PM
I can see how you put in the PL headstock for your front end, good job on getting everything on your forks to come together so nice. I just put a
fork assembly together for cheesycheese based on the measurements of his Peter Lynn headstock - it's a tricky size to work around. Have you had any
problems with the nut loosening on your back wheels? I use cotter pins through a hole drilled in my axle ends. Do you have any ideas for side rails?
Or are you going to focus on a seatbelt? Coming along nicely though - I like the downtube clamp - I thought you had welded it at first and then
noticed the clamp in one of the photos.
ICTKITEFLYER - 26-5-2010 at 05:31 PM
Yeah I sure did use a PL headstock. Thanks for noticing the front end has been the hardest part. Along with figuring out the seat. I now see why the
seats are designed the way they are. I think for now the seat belt will have to work. I havent had any problems yet. I am going to have to get use to
flying with a bar. I dont think I like that part of it yet. I really like the PTW cougar and think I might build that buggy in the future. I also like
the Ivanpah so we will see.
ICTKITEFLYER - 6-6-2010 at 05:16 PM
So my buggy broke today. Where the downtube connect to the head stock.
flexiblade - 6-6-2010 at 10:02 PM
You all right? Hope you weren't holding down any speed when that happened. Did you get any pics of the aftermath? Just another reason for a
rebuild.
ICTKITEFLYER - 7-6-2010 at 08:21 PM
I was flying the 14m NEo in about 15mph winds and was moving pretty good. I was seat belted in. As I was edging pretty hard hit a bump and the from
tire went airborne just about a couple inches or so and then when it hit the ground pried open and then the downtube that connects to the frame dug
straight into the ground and bam i get flipped over face first with the buggy still attached to my ass cause I was seat belted in. It hurt I bruised
both ankles but I walked away with only a few scratches, and a sore pride.
WELDNGOD - 8-6-2010 at 03:28 PM
that would be why you should not belt yourself in without a QR. And even then it is sketchy sometimes. Glad you did not get hurt. was it the weld
that failed or material?
Todd - 8-6-2010 at 03:41 PM
Glad you didn't get hurt that bad.
doublespeed360 - 8-6-2010 at 05:18 PM
i broke my side rails off my down tube awhile back and what save me was my splash gard,could have gotten hurt like that, but i love splash gards
even at nabx/sbbb.
popeyethewelder - 8-6-2010 at 10:53 PM
Could have been much worse, glad to hear you are ok...when belted in you need extreme caution, and preferably fly un belted unless you are very
experienced and trust your equipment 100%