Power Kite Forum

Buggy clearance question

Cheddarhead - 25-7-2012 at 04:10 PM

Last pesky question before you guys decide to boot me off the forum. I asked Bob this same question but decided to get a general consensus. If I'm running 18 inch tires and have 8 inches of clearance under my rear axle, how much clearance should be under my swan neck. Most pics look like the swan neck is slightly lower than the rear axle. I'm not going to be riding on real smooth terrain so I figure something with a tad more clearance should be in order. I'm figuring that the clearance under the swan neck determines the angle at which the side rails get welded to the plates and in turn the height of the down tube determines the length of the forks, so one thing affects the other if ya know what I mean. Could anybody out there measure the clearance under their bug if running the same size tires? Thanks

Rob.

van - 25-7-2012 at 05:57 PM

You also have to consider how your rails are bent. The last curve toward the front of my buggy comes down then comes back up. So although the rails attached in the center of the downtube , the lowest part of my rails are even with the lowest part of my downtube. my downtube varies between 3 inch and 6 inch of the ground, depending on rider preference.

Cheddarhead - 25-7-2012 at 06:36 PM

Thanks Van:D

BeamerBob - 25-7-2012 at 11:44 PM

Dude, you need to watch Popeye's videos of when he made the Hero buggy. He discusses every step of every part on the buggy. If you've seen these, watch them again. Keep the questions coming, we want to see how it turns out!:cool:

BigMikesKites - 26-7-2012 at 03:50 AM

Not knowing all the technicals I find that in my experience, you need enough clearance to keep your arse from whacking the biggest rock you cross over.