elfasa - 3-10-2012 at 11:28 AM
Hey all.
I was thinking about getting a swan neck downtube built for my flexi bug.
(I found out recently some people I know are pro welders)
My question is, in practice , when your about and about riding what real difference does having a swan neck make, compared to the standard straight
tube.
I know the point of it is to lower your centre of gravity, so I assume it will just keep the bug steady etc? Is it a dramatic difference ?
My other question is about the length of your downtube.
Again, when you're out and about what difference does having a longer downtube length make ?
I feel I would like a longer length, so when in in a straight line it is steadier, however I've tried it in the garage, and any longer than it is at
the moment and I can't turn the wheel the full range. I'll try I out sometime, but woul like your opinions on the matter. Longer or shorter !?
Thanks,
Tim
John Holgate - 3-10-2012 at 03:21 PM
I recently put a swan neck on my Vmax - it lowered the buggy considerably - which in turn makes it less 'tippy' (not that it ever was tippy!).
Reduced my 'bum clearance' too - not good if you're going over really bumpy ground. Also, it changed the angle of both my seat (so instead of
'reclining' a bit, I'm now sitting quite straight) and my fork. The fork is now at a steeper angle resulting in the steering quickening up. Too
steep and it will become 'twitchy'. So the end result is the Vmax is lower, quicker steering and maybe not quite as comfortable (it still is a lounge
chair though!).
Downtube length is both a personal comfort thing as well as affecting the overall balance of the buggy. I like my knees just slightly flexed but I
still want to be able to turn the buggy to full lock.
popeyethewelder - 3-10-2012 at 10:32 PM
If you add or convert a straight down tube to a swan neck, you should always maintain the fork rake and trail, buying another swan neck that was
fitted on a different buggy will most likely will never be set up right for your buggy....as a most of the front side rail plates are set at different
angles.
Easiest way to make one for a Flexi buggy is to buy an extended down tube and convert it to a swan neck, keeping the upper staight section from the
headstock and the lower section that your side rails clamp onto to parallel...it does not matter about the angle of the middle section, but on a Flexi
you will be looking for around a 3" drop....
So if the buggy originally had a straight down tube....the top and lower sections of the swan neck must remain parallel.