Power Kite Forum

Tire chains for ice and snowbuggy !

Bladerunner - 21-12-2011 at 05:56 PM

Here is a picture of the chain mod that worked well for Coolbreeze this past weekend .

I had not noticed the groove in the middle for added support of the chain. Even with it the front chain eventually slipped off. An easy fix with a pump.

This setup worked very well on clean ice and I expect would work with some snow on a frozen lake as well. Of all the ideas I have seen this one seems to be the best ?

photo 1-1.jpg - 16kB

Scudley - 21-12-2011 at 10:23 PM

You could do what the motorcycle ice racers used to do in the sixties: run a bunch of screws through the tire from inside so the tips are about an inch out of the tire.
Keep body parts and loose clothing away from spiked tires!

Kober - 21-12-2011 at 10:58 PM

you can get those screws on ebay ........ That what I was thinking last year ....

macboy - 21-12-2011 at 11:28 PM

Was that groove in the tire already or was it carved in? Looks quite "Mad Max" - I like it! We've been wanting to stud our Honda CT70 tires for a few years too - would have to be done with proper studs though.

Do you know if he made the chain up or was it an off the shelf link size? Those chains are easy to break and adjust the size of but even easier if it's an off the shelf link count.

Might just need something like this for the AB meet up this year :lol:

Coolbreeze - 22-12-2011 at 08:48 AM

Hi Guys

the tires where never grooved , they came that way, The chains are just the cheapest bike chain I could find. I went to a bike store and they hooked me up I also bought a cheap chain break (small tool used to separate the chain links. $12.00) I deflated the tires made the chains fit the tires and then inflated the tires as hard as they would allow. If I where to change anything I would put more than one chain on the front wheel. When you turn at the end of a run the wheel tilts to the one side or the other and the chain is lifted off the ice, so I would put two on about 2" apart.

With the ice conditions we get up here I am unable to use my buggy skates. The ice is never perfectly flat or clear, it always has some soft spots and or patches of snow or slush on it, so the wheels are a better choice.

I don't believe that studs would be as effective cuz of the rolling resistance. They would cause too much drag, not to mention way too much work to install. But that's just me.

As to Blades comment about rather skiing than bugging, He and I had that discussion. I like Kite Skiing but given the choice I would rather be in the bug.

CB

Bladerunner - 22-12-2011 at 09:02 AM

Coolbreeze enforces what I was thinking. It looked like a combonation of factors made it that he needed a LOT of power to roll ? Kind of counter intuitive since the surface was so smooth.

Studs aren't a bad idea . Kind of permanent + I would expect even further rolling resistance. Somebody should try it.

Like CB says , He rides buggy on ice 'cause he likes it. I respect that knowing that he can and does ride all other disciplines !

snowspider - 22-12-2011 at 11:04 AM

Thanks for the pic and info , I was pretty sure thats how it's done. This weekend looks good for setting up a chain drive buggy. One can never have too many ways to fly, though I'm starting to wonder if I can fit everything in or on the van.

bobalooie57 - 22-12-2011 at 11:24 AM

Hey ss, I'd be up for some of that! Let me know where/when and I'll be there! :thumbup:

popeyethewelder - 22-12-2011 at 01:25 PM

You can be sure Coolbreeze comes up with the best ideas first....nice one

Coolbreeze - 22-12-2011 at 10:12 PM

Thanks for the compliment Pops. But I'm sure I'm not the first. I'm sure someone has come up with this before. Who ever came up with it ....... Doesn't matter but it does work on our ice conditions. I wish we did have the ice that they seem to have in Europe but we don't so when given lemons .......... You know the rest..

See ya at NABX, can't wait. On that note, when are the rest of the Canadians going to register. Come on guys Dean and the crew need the support. This event doesn't just happen by its self. Ok I'm off my soap box. Thanks.

TEDWESLEY - 23-12-2011 at 06:55 AM

We used to use that setup on go karts with the screws through the chain. Worked good then however we were putting power through the wheels so the screws were needed. Sure throws the snow around when you're going! I have to admit that under those conditions I'm on skiis as there is more control for me any way.

ripsessionkites - 23-12-2011 at 11:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Coolbreeze
See ya at NABX, can't wait. On that note, when are the rest of the Canadians going to register. Come on guys Dean and the crew need the support. This event doesn't just happen by its self. Ok I'm off my soap box. Thanks.


still thinking about nabx now ... i was hoping to do a kite surf vacation with the new LEIs.

oddly my GF wasnt me to go the Nabx instead, yet i have no idea why but its going to be sponsored solely by her. dunno what I've done.

in the meantime i wanna ride WINTER FIRST before thinking spring / summer again.

rocfighter - 23-12-2011 at 07:23 PM

We used to use self tap hex head screws in the tires when we raced bikes on lice. But they had a lot of tread on the tires.