van - 16-5-2011 at 03:45 PM
I've been busy lately so had to build this last minute. Took a couple days to build it and get it ship so didn't get a chance to powdercoat it. I
was trying a new coating called POR-15. I did learn a few lessons on along the way on how POR-15 works so my first attempt wasn't perfect so you guys
please forgive me on the paint quality ..hahaha ... Next time I'll have to spray it instead of using a brush.
After the feedback I got from NABX and WBB, I modified the swan neck to be bigger , shorten the side rails a little, redesigned the fork and footpegs.
I still can't getaway from leaving the holes on the fork so here it is ...haha.. If you guys like it, I might leave it on the next build so you can
store your kite stake in it. If not, I was planning to cover it since it does take more welding with the fork tubes sticking up like that.
Please give me as much feedback as you can so I can improve my buggy building skill. Hoping to get a nice product out to the buggy commmunity one
day.
Here's pics of it in barrow tires and also bigfoot lites. Might need a longer swan neck to bring the buggy height down with the bigfoot lites.
Here comes the buggy PORN!!!
mougl - 16-5-2011 at 03:56 PM
:drool:
Chad - 16-5-2011 at 04:25 PM
Wow thats looks great with the BFL 's. My tires will work well on it I'm sure! :D
Kober - 16-5-2011 at 05:09 PM
Nice ..... black and red seat make it more attractive then WBB version....... and storage bag make it look complete...... congrats .....
shehatesmyhobbies - 16-5-2011 at 05:26 PM
Dude that is so sweet! Cannot wait to take a ride on that wicked buggy!
chris - 16-5-2011 at 06:10 PM
flexiblade - 16-5-2011 at 06:37 PM
Coming along very well - but my mantra will always be "how does it feel rather than how it looks" - can be very pretty, which is what you have, but
how does it ride? Does the rake angle work well? - comfort in turning helps to advance confidence in riding. Are there any pinch points that you
have to be aware of that may be distracting? Is there a splash guard - knowing you there must be at least three, just haven't decided upon platinum
or chrome? Just kidding, it's looking very nice - would help for input if you had any feedback on ride characteristics or issues you may be having,
if none - then you just need to get it out more.
tridude - 16-5-2011 at 06:46 PM
nice...............will try to do an onboard performance Go Pro vid.......................
Drewculous - 16-5-2011 at 07:19 PM
Hell yeah! That's awesome!
van - 16-5-2011 at 08:58 PM
Flexi .. I will be bringing about 5 of these end of this month to El Mirage. Adrian from the Kite Lounge will bring a few back to your area if you
want to take it for a ride and tell me how it feel ...
I've been building them
around 26 - 28 degrees rake. I prefer around 27 degrees rake and about 2 inch of trail personally.
The buggy is built to take SAE size bolts so it's gonna be 3/4" for the front and rear. The loaner tires at JIBE will be 20mm so you will notice a
1/2 mm difference if you pick up the rear axle and shake it. We ran the buggy at NABX with a 20mm wheel on the 3/4" bolt and didn't real noticed much
difference. But then we weren't going faster than 40mph. I do nave replacement bearings that will go on the Peter Lynn wheels to give you 3/4"
inner bearing diameter. It's a small sacrifice that will allow you to use any standard 3/4" gokart wheel that is available on the US market.
Feel free to abuse it at JIBE let me know what breaks so I can fix it 
cheezycheese - 16-5-2011 at 10:14 PM
Very nice Van !! That bag in the back really completes the look !! And the BF's look awesome on there !!! It looks like a new seat design as
well...?!?
van - 16-5-2011 at 10:20 PM
Same seat color scheme as on Chris Schultz's Black Widow buggy. The straps were changed a bit. Most of the change was on the buggy fork itself.
jimbocz - 17-5-2011 at 02:44 AM
That buggy looks great. I'm curious about those bolts that tightent he siderails to the swan neck. They look like carriage bolts. How do you stop
them spinning when you tighten the nuts on the other side?
van - 17-5-2011 at 06:25 AM
Glad you ask, one plate has round holes and one plate have square holes. The back is the same way. I decided to use carriage bolts so it would be
easier to put together and take apart without having to use TWO wrench at the same time. It also gives a nice smooth finish on one side.
bobalooie57 - 17-5-2011 at 09:00 AM
Ya, I remember Chris tearing it up in that buggy, when my little comp std was too scary to ride in those winds. He seemed to love the ride, after
all, he bought it! :wee:
Todd - 17-5-2011 at 11:26 AM
Sweet looking ride Van, can't wait to take it for a spin! Henry won't be popping out the bag to scare me will he? 
Drewculous - 18-5-2011 at 05:33 PM
That bug is #@%$#!ty....... so comfortable..... :drool: is right!
mougl - 18-5-2011 at 05:39 PM
Sat in one today, total comfort. Nice weight and axel length...can imagine it tracks well. Splash guard available? Can't wait to ride one!
shehatesmyhobbies - 18-5-2011 at 06:28 PM
We will have the rims and tires with us. It will be ready to ride by Friday afternoon. Can't wait to see the new version!
buggydanny - 18-5-2011 at 06:35 PM
I wanted to try it at wildwood, but never got around to it. I will be more diligent this time and make sure I a ride. I hope we have some nice wind
to stretch its legs.
acampbell - 18-5-2011 at 06:39 PM
I have spare PL splash guards. You need something like that here. Otherwise lots of "biological matter" can fly through the wide grin that results
from cruising on Jekyll.
Van, I saw Chris Schultz's Black Widow; nice!
Just in from NOAA...
THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 FEET OR
LESS. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT DAYTIME CHOP.
shehatesmyhobbies - 18-5-2011 at 07:07 PM
Sweet forecast! Thanks Angus!
van - 19-5-2011 at 06:57 AM
Angus,
I sent a buggy bag for Chris for his buggy. After he see this version, he might want me to send him upgraded parts for his!! It's got a bigger
downtube and newer style fork. The newer buggy has a slightly different fabric for the seat that I'm trying out.
Would be great if you could loan one of those splash guards to my buggy. I forgot to make one for this buggy.
acampbell - 19-5-2011 at 08:37 PM
Yes I have spare splash guards packed in the kitemobile. All these Mid-western riders here do not anticipate all the whale snot and bird poo flung up
off the beach into there wide open gaping, grinning mouths as the fly down the beach.
I am really impressed with Chris's Black Widow. Nicely machined components, good fit and finish, impressive foot print and clean lines. I am going
to ride it right after I take the new Matrix away from him.
van - 19-5-2011 at 09:36 PM
The version 2 Black Widow buggy should have arrived today according to UPS. Chad is bringing his tires to try on it. The tires from Chris's buggy
should have the right bearing on it also so you can steal them from him ..... hahaha ... version 2 also has a slightly shorter rails , about 4"
shorter.
mougl - 20-5-2011 at 08:43 PM
Sweet bug for sure! I put her thru some rigorous testing today...passed with flying colors. Comfy, quick, stable. Sweeeeeeeet power slides!
dylanj423 - 20-5-2011 at 10:35 PM
that is one sexy ass kite buggy, van... 
van - 21-5-2011 at 08:14 AM
dylan .. you need to drop by and try one ...hehee ...
dylanj423 - 21-5-2011 at 11:38 AM
you think i can get one to the beach in my little car?? hopefully the summer has some decent winds to offer up... i hope the season is not over...
van - 21-5-2011 at 02:18 PM
I squeezed 5 of them in my wife's Scion XA which is smaller than yours. You have to take it all apart though :D