Power Kite Forum

DIY Front Fender on an Ivanpah

Todd - 25-10-2010 at 03:02 PM

Popeye inspired front fender build on the Ivanpah started off easily enough with a quick trip to Lowe's for a 5.5 inch 90 degree PVC pipe. Once marked up I began to cut.






After the first initial fit I began to trim.







Quite a bit of sanding and using a file to take down the rough spots.







A little bit of heat to seat the lag bolt into the plastic.





Ok, I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the painting process or mounting of the floor mat in the rear of the fender but you can get the picture of the finished product.







Add a skull to it and call it done.

acampbell - 25-10-2010 at 03:11 PM

Todd, thank you for this. I was just about to write and ask you about this after seeing photos from WBB. Are those 6.5 " tires? I'm off to HodyPo tomorrow for some PVC as I am not happy with the stock Splash guard from BuggyBags for the Ivanpah.

Great job on WBB; looks like an outstanding event and I have heard great things from customers who attended.

Todd - 25-10-2010 at 03:27 PM

Thank you for the kind words Angus! WBB was over the top this year and quite a blast. Yes they are the 16 x 6.5 x 8 Duros on a 4 x 8" rim. They work nicely on the soft sand and even better on hard-pack. Shoot over to Walmart for a $1.94 car floor mat for the back, it really did the trick on keeping the beach out of your lap.

acampbell - 25-10-2010 at 03:30 PM

how do you attach it?

Maven454 - 25-10-2010 at 03:32 PM

The piece of car mat or the fender? The fender is attached to one of the upper foot peg holes. Not sure how he attached the car mat.

Todd - 25-10-2010 at 04:48 PM

Top two bolt holes for the foot pegs Angus and I also added a bracket from the fork bolt to where the skull meets. I'll take a better picture of it tomorrow for you.

rocfighter - 25-10-2010 at 04:48 PM

This was a great idea. I thought at first look it was original equiptment. You guys did a great job.

Todd - 25-10-2010 at 04:50 PM

Thank you Dave!

shehatesmyhobbies - 25-10-2010 at 04:52 PM

It does look very good on the buggy, like Dave said, looked stock!

Todd - 25-10-2010 at 04:57 PM

Thanks Rich!

bigkid - 25-10-2010 at 05:33 PM

Good looking fender, and rather stout. I made one up of PVC sheet material and painted it yellow to match the bug. Mine is flexible as to not hurt me when I crash.:lol:
The only pic I could find at the moment.

rocfighter - 25-10-2010 at 05:50 PM

Big Kid I see you have a rib protector on your list. What type is it? I need one before I buggy again. From my crash on Saturday wich I thought wasn't to bad after I got past it. I have bruised ribs and I'm feeling it:o

bigkid - 25-10-2010 at 06:12 PM

roc u2u sent

cheezycheese - 25-10-2010 at 06:31 PM

Todd that thing was sooo perfect i didnt even realize the whole thing was custom. i thought you only added the floor mat. the fender looked stock :thumbup:

Todd - 25-10-2010 at 06:44 PM

Thanks Marc, I'll trade you a custom fender on your new to you XR+ for the low low price of a 9m Phantom :lol:


Thank you for the compliment Brother :thumbup:

nocando - 25-10-2010 at 10:18 PM

Hi guys dont rule out used dirt bike mudguards

have Mcgivered one to fit my PL with barrows

awindofchange - 25-10-2010 at 11:23 PM

Absolutely awesome Todd! Very nicely done and looks perfect!

ripsessionkites - 26-10-2010 at 12:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bigkid
roc u2u sent


instead of being secretive and so everyone can know the info.

Coolbreeze also broke a rib from his OBE at NABX "men who stare at kites". he searched far and wide for a rib protector and you can buy them from any Go-Kart shop or here : http://www.ribtect.com/
I will point out they arent cheap, but if it makes you more secure, price isnt important.
information was passed on a WA event to others ... case closed

ultralite, comfortable but make sure you know your breast size.

sorry for the off-topic

Todd - 26-10-2010 at 03:55 AM

No worries about the off-topic RIP; if we can get a safety lesson in there then it’s worth it in my book :thumbup:


Thanks again for the compliments on the fender; I'll take some more shots of it tonight after work.

rocfighter - 26-10-2010 at 04:04 AM

Ribteck is the company Big Kid recomended to me as well. And yes pricey but I think worth it.

Chad - 26-10-2010 at 09:30 AM

Alright Todd... I will need on now.... You did such a great job, when I make mine I will have you help me do the finishing touches on the mounting end? :bigok:

WELDNGOD.. what molding plastic did you use on the side of your cycle?

popeyethewelder - 26-10-2010 at 10:21 AM

Great job Todd, nice and tidy

acampbell - 26-10-2010 at 11:14 AM

Funny I just went to the local hardware store, and when I asked for 5 1/2" PVC, the lady's eyes went wide with "What the...?" written all over her face. So later I'll find a commercial shop in our industrial area....

Bobby, I don't think you'll find it in stainless.

BeamerBob - 26-10-2010 at 11:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by acampbell
Funny I just went to the local hardware store, and when I asked for 5 1/2" PVC, the lady's eyes went wide with "What the...?" written all over her face. So later I'll find a commercial shop in our industrial area....

Bobby, I don't think you'll find it in stainless.


They should have it in plumbing, but maybe 6" is more common. This is a Sewer/drain pipe fitting.

No room in there with bigfoots in place. I'll have to stick with my custom fab job from the garbage can lid and/or the official Ivanpah Buggy Bags splash guard. My Buggy Bags guard seems more ready for prime time than the one Angus got for some reason. The fit isn't perfect but it should be effective.

Todd - 26-10-2010 at 11:59 AM

Thank you Carl and Chad!

arkay - 26-10-2010 at 12:05 PM

Looks really slick!!!

I've been thinking of doing this same thing, I'm getting sick of the splash guard. I also am going to do one other thing straight pipe in my trailer and garage and turn it into a bracket for the wall to hold the buggy and a guide for the trailer for the front wheel.

I do wonder thought if the splash guard is too low ro what height it should be at. I have a tendency to ride over dunes, abrupt piles of sands, holes dug by kids, sticks, rocks, logs. I woulnd't want something to get jammed or held my the guard. Any ideas if this is real issue. At the end of the day I see the fender as first and foremost only needing to protect me from spray (and I don't know what the angle of spray is yet).

Todd - 26-10-2010 at 12:13 PM

Thank you for the compliment!

The rubber floor mat is about 4" long and rides only a couple of inches off the ground. My son tested it at Wildwood over the weekend and he states that it does drag at times although does a fine job of protecting him. The mat is pliable enough to bend and snaps back in shape.

lad - 26-10-2010 at 12:15 PM

Forgot to include a close-up pic of the little skull ornament! :smug:

Todd - 26-10-2010 at 12:21 PM

Will do Lad!

Jovver - 26-10-2010 at 01:36 PM

Holy crap I spent a good 20 mins trying out this buggy and didn't even realize that mud guard was PVC. Honestly, I didn't think to even question it. Excellent craftsmanship! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Todd - 26-10-2010 at 03:20 PM

Thank you Erik, I can hook you up with one when you pick up an Ivanpah!


Here are some more shots, I need to trim down the bolts a bit and put on a rubber cap.








The Skull...

BeamerBob - 26-10-2010 at 03:57 PM

How does it handle with the front wheel in the forward position?

acampbell - 26-10-2010 at 06:44 PM

Went to Lowes and got my #@%$#! of a 6" PVC elbow and stainless hardware at Lowes. Heavy sucker. Curiously they had no skulls.

Todd, there is a lot of sanding to do to get lettering and sprue off the PVC. Was there any intermediary coating like primer or featherfill to prep for the finish coat?

BeamerBob - 26-10-2010 at 09:52 PM

Not that my quick solution compares to the high level of finish that Todd's exhibits, but I wanted to show a pic I had of my splashguard I made quickly to keep the chunks from hitting me in the chest. I asked for help at the hardware store "something plastic, flexible, and cheap". He sold me an extra lid for a rubbermaid garbage can lid. I cut out the center section in a way that gave a smooth beveled edge all the way around and melted some holes in it for wire ties. It works, but I'd probably use the Buggy Bags guard now that I have it again.


2010-09-29 003 by BMuse1, on Flickr

BeamerBob - 26-10-2010 at 10:45 PM

Since we are talking about mods to Ivanpah's you have to check out the ingenious gps holder that Angus came up with. Yes, he is wearing his helmet.


[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobmuse/51

Todd - 27-10-2010 at 11:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by acampbell
Curiously they had no skulls.

Todd, there is a lot of sanding to do to get lettering and sprue off the PVC. Was there any intermediary coating like primer or featherfill to prep for the finish coat?



Have to hit up the Auto Zone for the skulls Angus!

I used an electric orbital sander to do the finishing touches then prime and paint. That looks real good BB, nice job!

BeamerBob - 27-10-2010 at 03:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
Since we are talking about mods to Ivanpah's you have to check out the ingenious gps holder that Angus came up with. Yes, he is wearing his helmet.


[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobmuse/51


You have to enlarge the pic to really see the detail of the gps holder. It's worth a look!

ripsessionkites - 27-10-2010 at 06:22 PM

not to take away from the great homebrews, but we @ XXtreme can fit a 3-D Mudguard into that fork.

other custom pieces can be add to your buggy like the heel style footsteps.

http://xxtreme.nl/3dmudguard.html
(picture of the xxracer version, but there is an different apexx version)

acampbell - 29-10-2010 at 09:49 AM

Right back atcha Todd. Thanks again for the brilliant design idea...

buggy 009.jpg - 63kB

acampbell - 29-10-2010 at 09:49 AM

...

buggy 012.jpg - 58kB

Todd - 29-10-2010 at 10:14 AM

SWEET! I better get a patten on that quick :smilegrin: Diggin the knotch too!

acampbell - 29-10-2010 at 10:43 AM

Just added the apparent wind tell-tale....

buggy 013.jpg - 57kB

awindofchange - 29-10-2010 at 11:03 AM

That looks great Angus! You guys rock!

doublespeed360 - 29-10-2010 at 05:40 PM

glad everybody jumping on the fender bandwagon,less crap on you less to clean off,my just ant that sweet .great job todd and cory.

Todd - 29-10-2010 at 05:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by doublespeed360
glad everybody jumping on the fender bandwagon,less crap on you less to clean off,my just ant that sweet .great job todd and cory.



Thanks Paul I think? :smilegrin:

BeamerBob - 31-10-2010 at 10:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by acampbell
Just added the apparent wind tell-tale....


Angus, excellent execution. You guys really have it going on with the fenders. I was thinking about them this weekend and the fender will suppress the stuff that flings up in front of you and then blows back in your face. It's a step better than just a splash guard.

popeyethewelder - 1-11-2010 at 12:18 AM

Great job guy, very impressive...I have tried endless types of splash guards the most impressive looking was this

RC GUARD Huggy

But I found at speeds over 45mph the sand would get whipped up under the guard and come firing out of the front, straight into my face, it was like buggying through a sand storm, so although it looked superb, I had to remove it, on a smaller tyre it was not so bad, but on the Eurotrax above, there was only about a 1/4" clearence

rocfighter - 2-11-2010 at 10:47 AM

I may be partial, but I think the Skull makes the whole thing come together.:yes:

Chad - 14-11-2010 at 06:35 PM

Here is another version of the one Todd made. Thanks for the help Bro :thumbup:



shehatesmyhobbies - 14-11-2010 at 06:45 PM

Looks good in black too! Nice job guys!