When I got into buggying, I mentioned to my kids that maybe one day I'd get something to pull them around in so they could ride along. Ever since, my
oldest daughter (age 7) has regularly asked when I'm going to get the "buggy-pull-behind-thing." With that in mind about 2 months ago I decided that
my next purchase would be parts to assemble a tandem. My enjoyment of kiting has kind of gotten to where its a me-thing and I felt like I wanted it to
be an us-thing, so I could feel like my family could participate rather than just watch.
I went on a search for parts and once again, Van came to the rescue and offered to sell me some unpainted prototype parts: a seat, rails, rear axle,
and 2 wheels all for an incredibly reasonable price (actually an absolutely awesome price) entirely based on his desire to "get the kids riding." He
expressed how much his son enjoyed it, so he really wanted to help out... Goes to show you how awesome of a guy he really is.
Here's the funny part. He told me he was going to give me a seat that was better than the buggy I already had and that I'd probably end up building
myself a bug around it and making my XR into the tandem.... I thought "nah, I'm happy with what I have..." Until it started to come together. He was
right. I assembled what he had with the downtube and fork of my XR and thought it was just too awesome, a little high up, but still awesome. So with
some help from Van and some additional welding, I made a swan neck downtube with the same bearing set up as the XR and used its front fork and I
present to you: The XR-VTT hybrid
But the point here is the tandem right? I had already fabbed up the down tube for the tandem so I just hooked it up to my XR parts and made up the
hitch with a piece of 2" flat bar, U-bolts, a 4" x 1/2" bolt, a piece of 3/4" tube and a wing nut.
And here it is all together.
Since it was all finished, I did the big reveal to the girls and they seem to approve.
I've already recognized one thing I need to change and that is the foot pegs on the tandem. They need to be adjustable and where they are now they run
into the tires of the towing bug on a sharper turn. I have a plan for that and will post pics when it's ready.
SpencerChrisH - 22-3-2013 at 07:26 PM
Very nice set-up, I've been wanting a tandem rig for a while as well. Be sure to take some video of it in action! cheezycheese - 22-3-2013 at 07:35 PM
Wow, go right to the head of the class...Bladerunner - 22-3-2013 at 08:38 PM
Frankin'Awsome! knkmannthey - 23-3-2013 at 06:44 AM
Very sweet spence. I can't wait go see it. Your new buggy looks awsome. You made the right choice and have a sweet machine. We will have to get the
kids out some weekend and let them have some funsoliver - 23-3-2013 at 11:35 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by knkmannthey
Very sweet spence. I can't wait go see it. Your new buggy looks awsome. You made the right choice and have a sweet machine. We will have to get the
kids out some weekend and let them have some fun
We'll do that Kevin!
Thanks for the compliments everyone!
Once I make the adjustment to the foot pegs I'll post some new pics.popeyethewelder - 23-3-2013 at 12:05 PM
Job well done...thunmbs upvan - 23-3-2013 at 12:42 PM
all looks good. glad you were able to use the parts. I and my tandem footpegs same way as the rail clamp with the two plates and four bolts. that
way you can slide them on the tandem tube.soliver - 23-3-2013 at 01:08 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by van
all looks good. glad you were able to use the parts. I and my tandem footpegs same way as the rail clamp with the two plates and four bolts. that
way you can slide them on the tandem tube.
Thanks Van, sounds very similar to what I have in mind,... I plan on welding it up tonight. This all would not have been possible without your help,
so many uber big thanks to you for all of your hard work, and advice.
Thanks Popeye, I appreciate the compliment!John Holgate - 23-3-2013 at 03:30 PM
Looks good. What about cutting the excess off the top of the u-bolts and maybe putting some dome nuts (or nylocks) on to eliminate any line
catching/leg bruising spots? I did a similar setup on mine and also found a bit of garden hose over the upright post/pin stopped a bit of wobble and
noise where the eye bolt moves up and down. I think I also used either a leather or nylon washer above and under the eye bolt to eliminate a bit of
'clunS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K- too.
Lots of squealing to come from the back seat methinks...... soliver - 23-3-2013 at 04:53 PM
Great suggestions John,... I hadn't thought of the lines catching on the ends of the u bolts.
I used the 3/4" tube as the upright piece so there would be ease of movement,... I hadn't considered using nylon though, that's a good idea3shot - 26-3-2013 at 05:42 PM
Wow that is awesome!!soliver - 26-3-2013 at 06:00 PM
Ok, so I finally got the adjustable foot pegs put together,...
I was thinking about this and was concerned after the first round of photos about the girls not understanding the possible implications of putting
their feet down while in motion. With that, I decided to make the under style stirrup like straps out of some seatbelt material I was recently given.
I had a 3' long piece which I chopped up to make the straps. The unit is fastened in place with another U-bolt with wing nuts to make it more easily
adjustable.
And here's what it looks like in place.
With FEET!
The straps don't seem to do a whole lot, so I'm not sure they were worth the trouble, so I may end up removing them,... Or I might flip it over so the
straps are the over the foot style... Any thoughts?MDK - 26-3-2013 at 09:58 PM
Very Nice! for kids I would run a skirt from the foot pegs back to the seat or even under and to the back of the seat. hate to see little feet end up
under the seat Kober - 26-3-2013 at 10:14 PM
Well done .... Now you cam have some buggy videos with you cameraman on back ....soliver - 27-3-2013 at 04:06 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by MDK
Very Nice! for kids I would run a skirt from the foot pegs back to the seat or even under and to the back of the seat. hate to see little feet end up
under the seat
Good idea Mark,... I might do that,... Their safety is my biggest concerns.
