Power Kite Forum

Invasion: VTT Cricket buggy

van - 30-5-2011 at 02:51 PM

Here's my prototype ... the Cricket buggy ..

specs :

rear axle: 1.5" x 0.120 x 48" square tubing
side rails: 1.25" x 0.120 x 48" ( measured before bending)
downtube : 1.5" x 2" x 0.120" x 20" rectangular tubing
fork: 1" square x .0120"

seat: temporarily using Black Widow seating

I haven't decided how high to put the foot pegs, I put it pretty high up for now to test but it feels too high ...

you might notice that there are holes on the bottom for foot pegs also.









shehatesmyhobbies - 30-5-2011 at 03:08 PM

Liking the square axle concept! Very sharp looking so far! Can't wait to give it a whirl!

Henry always looks ready to take a ride! Miss that kid!

van - 30-5-2011 at 03:15 PM

The square axle is stiffer and also alot quicker to make.

shehatesmyhobbies - 30-5-2011 at 03:19 PM

yeah, footpegs need to be lower! like that they are more secure!

flexiblade - 30-5-2011 at 03:55 PM

Was thinking of doing something similar with my axle - would be less prone to bending over time under load than it's round counterpart. The only issue would then be aesthetics.

Chad - 30-5-2011 at 04:08 PM

WoW looking good Van! It looks so big with Henry in it, but looks small with you in it. hehehe
The tire off set is also a nice touch.. And that "Army Rock" seat color works (I might me color blind)..

Maybe find a way to integrate the splash guard into the underside of the seat? maybe Velcro or alike to give it more balance and resistance from debris. ( keeping it a separate piece of course )
Always one step ahead of us bro!!!! keep her coming

ripsessionkites - 30-5-2011 at 05:04 PM

is it for freestyle?

can i try to break it, hehehe. ill give you some feedback too.

the BaSiXX and the Scout hold up well to airborne.

not as high as the first one (i have no pics :( ), wind drop end of day.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o7/ripsessionkites/Misc/I...

flyjump - 30-5-2011 at 05:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ripsessionkites
is it for freestyle?

can i try to break it, hehehe. ill give you some feedback too.

the BaSiXX and the Scout hold up well to airborne.

not as high as the first one (i have no pics :( ), wind drop end of day.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o7/ripsessionkites/Misc/I...


:wee: It's so good to see a buggy airborne in North America......I guess this is why I am your loyal pawn

mougl - 30-5-2011 at 05:25 PM

Rip...you jump buggies too??? Wow...

rocfighter - 30-5-2011 at 05:55 PM

Rip I thought you gave up that silliness? Looking good though.

cheezycheese - 30-5-2011 at 06:56 PM

it looks like one of Sand Yeti's buggies... nice!!!

van - 30-5-2011 at 09:08 PM

Rip ... it's much smaller than my Black Widow buggy but not sure how high you can jump with it since it's built with all 11 gauge tubing so it's nice sturdy but heavy.

The square tubing is nothing new .. there's plenty of buggies out there using it. I want to try it out for simplicity. You just drill holes in it for the side rails to mount to, don't need mounting flanges. Took me all but 10 minutes to make the axle. The side rails are the same ones I used on my BW buggy except for the mounting flange on the front. I wanted to design a buggy I can build within an hour. I'm pretty close :tumble: , the seat is not counted as part of the hour ...hehe...

van - 30-5-2011 at 09:42 PM

LostFox1 .. that splashguard was something my sis made for fun. Henry was using it as a shield for his Power Ranger Samurai adventures... :lol:

popeyethewelder - 31-5-2011 at 12:36 AM

Buggy in under an hour...wow...what are you doing about bearings/bushes etc in the headstock

mougl - 31-5-2011 at 05:31 AM

Van...looks nice man. Have to say I enjoyed the BWII! This looks like it would be a good one for the GF. she's just starting to learn. Keep up the good work man!

van - 31-5-2011 at 05:39 AM

PTW ... I've been testing the use of nylon bushings to see how they hold up. The bearings tend to rust unless you buy stainless bearings. The nylon bushings are cheap enough that you can replace with new ones as needed like you would your tires. The best part is you just drill 2 holes and drop them in.

The under an hour is just for my time to cut, drill , bend and weld. The painting, powdercoating, seat making, etc .. is a different story .. hahaha :singing:

snowspider - 31-5-2011 at 07:26 AM

Van you might consider a front fender/mud flap instead of a splash guard , much less spray and crud flying back at you. The only bad point is if the fender wraps around too far it snags on things like roof racks, bicycle carrier, back seats of Dodge caravan. Something stiff yet flexable would be ideal. I like the nylon bushing idea ,cheap , simple , available, an inland occational flyer would probably not wear them out. Like the name , I was calling my wooden ones grasshoppers for a while now they're just "that one's yours and that one's yours". Good luck have fun.

van - 31-5-2011 at 04:16 PM

Ok, I think it's time we pick a mascot / logo for the buggy.

These are the Cricket candidates:

1) old fashion cricket



2) European version of Cricket




3) American Cricket


shehatesmyhobbies - 31-5-2011 at 04:44 PM

How about a cricket with a rear axle and wheels attached to his back legs! That would be rockn!

van - 31-5-2011 at 05:16 PM

ok... who's the artist on the forum that could whip something like that up?? That cricket will be burning rubber!!

shehatesmyhobbies - 31-5-2011 at 05:31 PM

I have an artist in the family, I will call him right now and get it rockn! It will have a little life to it!

van - 31-5-2011 at 07:12 PM

ok .. in the mean time , I'll have henry signed up as a backup. :lol:

van - 31-5-2011 at 10:24 PM

ok .. she's painted and seats are done!! ready to head to El Mirage for a test run ..














popeyethewelder - 1-6-2011 at 12:04 AM

Sweet Van....I bet your wife loves you....filled the garage up now taking over the whole house....

Chook - 1-6-2011 at 01:44 AM

Just thinking the same thing!!!

Very understanding woman.

It looks great Van, maybe a backing plate on the rear axle/ side frame crush point under the nuts?

Black always looks classy, a fantastic project all round.:thumbup:

Chook

shehatesmyhobbies - 1-6-2011 at 04:27 AM

Looks sweet all done up Van! I agree some sort of back plate behind the nuts on the rear axle to help prevent crushing!

Looks to be a very comfortable ride!

snowspider - 1-6-2011 at 10:26 AM

Very nice!

van - 3-6-2011 at 10:21 PM

It was just a test fit. I have washers that goes on there before the nut. Even without the washer, that square tubing 1/8" thick.

Haha; might be looking for a new wife soon if I keep building buggies. I've taken over the entire upstairs just to make seats.

WIllardTheGrey - 4-6-2011 at 01:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by van
It was just a test fit. I have washers that goes on there before the nut. Even without the washer, that square tubing 1/8" thick.

Haha; might be looking for a new wife soon if I keep building buggies. I've taken over the entire upstairs just to make seats.


Google translated

Quote:
Get your Van customs while they last


Very nice work:thumbup::thumbup:.

nocando - 4-6-2011 at 03:23 PM

Van well done sweet as:wee:

truman - 4-6-2011 at 05:58 PM

did you ever get a start on the new router :wee:

van - 12-8-2011 at 08:35 PM

Final version of the cricket buggy. This one is going to a very happy kiter in Kansas .... more pics here http://www.vantantech.com/Gallery/Cricket XL





truman ... I got parts but been too busy to start the build on my new CNC router

Kober - 12-8-2011 at 08:53 PM

Congrats on progress ....... looks amazing ...

.... I see you have web site started too....

good luck with all you future projects ......

van - 12-8-2011 at 09:45 PM

Been extremely busy with my full time job so haven't had much time to mess with the buggy building. Still doing the buggy building as a hobby!! Would be cool to do this full time :singing:

popeyethewelder - 13-8-2011 at 10:57 AM

Looks very good Van, you have come a long way in such a short period of time, I am sure if your pricing is right, you will have a steady stream of customers, just keep the balance right....main job - buggy building - enjoying buggying on the beach - all the tech work maintaining web site etc.....if you are not careful it soon becomes all work and no play

greasehopper - 13-8-2011 at 11:08 AM

Never true-er words were spoken (written), Popeye.

The easiest way to ruin a good thing is trying to feed a family on it.

van - 13-8-2011 at 05:11 PM

Ptw, I have been taking those exact advice. Balancing work, buggying building, kitesurfing, spending time with family. Life is still good.

pyro22487 - 15-8-2011 at 12:28 PM

Haha; might be looking for a new wife soon if I keep building buggies. I've taken over the entire upstairs just to make seats.

I can help you retake back some of your house. Im willing to let you store a buggy or two here in Oklahoma if you need to. LOL :smilegrin:

Ed Crabbs - 16-9-2011 at 04:25 AM

My name is Eddie recieved my Cricket XL buggy from Van over 6 wks. ago I have rode it long an hard no complaints what so ever This buggy is indestructable I think you would have to back over it with a truck to hurt it The seat is far better than PL seats 2x the weight of Flexfoil Pl or Kite trikes The Cricket XL is made for grass It runs 100 dollars more than the other buggys but is considerably stronger The seat straps are wider an longer an very comforatably Very easy to put together no instruction needed Van buggy is built to beat the others hands down I really believe this XL is a Great buggy When your weight is 200lbs an over this XL will handle it easily I really cant say enough about the XL Please check out his web site an look at his buggys Meet Van at NABX 2011 he takes extreme pride in his work an it shows If you want more advice on this XL e-mail at iacrabbs@yahoo.com

van - 16-9-2011 at 11:24 AM

Hey.. Eddie.. you figure how to finally get on the forum? Glad you are putting that buggy to the test.