Finally finished the buggy

I recently finished a buggy I've been working on for quite a while. Now-a-days I prefer taking naps over work so this project really got dragged out. Anyway, I've gotten a lot of positive feedback from the Nahant crew and everyone wanted me to post pictures here. Perhaps it can spark some of the new builders to do something a little different in their garage. Hopefully I'll put the pics in here properly. Cheers.

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

I'm speechless. That's really cool. Maybe a dumb question but is that all steel?

It's all 304SS.

Are you kidding?! That's gorgeous :shocked2: !
Bring it down to WBB! (But keep it in a roped-off area, 'cause we'll all want a ride )

Nice job. A bit of blue pin striping, flames?
Bigfoot buggy next?
I might have to make Nahant one of my stops.

Thanks for all the positive comments guys, it's really appreciated. It's always nice when others recognize your hard work.

Your always welcome at Nahant BK.
I never thought about flames. Maybe next time around. I thought about doing a bigfoot buggy but then my back told me it refused to put it in the truck so that idea got scrapped

Quote: Originally posted by cheezycheese

Amanda said there is no where for her to sit.... how will you give rides...?

You have a lap, right?

I know it would be completely non functional but for some reason I think this work of art begs for a spoiler on that back rest?

Looks to me like the Kiteguru has come Back From The Future!

Nicest buggy I have seen since the " overkill " that Dirk and Sean created.
I don't know anything about aerodynamics but this design looks to be slick?

Sure wish I had met you on my trip out East.

Outstanding design, Dean.:o............


Definitely futuristic. You need a one-piece metallic space suit to go with it

Seamless looking construction.

What? No white wall tires?...:P

Folks likely have lots of questions. Okay.... I'll ask one:
What's the weight?

Awesome and unique buggy I hope you don't mind me sharing this on XK here: http://www.extremekites.com.au/topic/16425-ktegurus-buggy/

Thanks everyone. I'm glad you guys like both the design and execution. Let me try and answer all the questions.

Cheezy, it's super rigid. No flex at all. Tubing for main frame is 3" diameter 304 stainless. I won't be taking orders (although that's very flattering). It took me three years of puttering around in the garage to make it. I don't go fast enough to do that sort of thing. As I get older naps have become my favorite thing, and work is much farther down the list. But if anyone wants to copy it they're more than welcome to. Although there's no back seat for rides, Amanda is more than welcome to join us out there. I'm sure she'll pick it up quickly.

Bladerunner, Glad to be back. Sorry I missed you when you came out here. Watch out for the kids though now a days with those CAD thingys. They can do some pretty impressive stuff. The future certainly belongs to them. All I can manage is pencil and paper for my designs:dunno:


skimtwashington, I haven't weighed it yet but I would guess around 60lbs. I don't have a scale but as soon as I find one I'll post the weight here.

BeamerBob, Thanks for appreciating the fit and finish also. I always try to go by the motto of 'do it right or don't do it at all' , so I try to pay attention to the little details as much as the bigger picture. As far as how it rides... in all honesty it really has exceeded my expectations. Super rigid, no flex to speak of as far as I can tell. The balance is just right,,,, when fully powered the front and back break loose evenly. The balance between responsiveness and stability seems just right. The frame is one piece so there is really no adjustment for balance, weight distribution, leg length etc. so I just got lucky that building it to fit my body yielded the perfect balance of attributes. The downsides so far is only that because it is so low to the ground I find myself hitting all those giant clam shells at Nahant. I try to avoid them but they've already left some marks in the bellypan. Strong little buggers,,till the seagulls get to 'em:D

Shehatesmyhobbies, Can't wait to ride with you guys as well. It's been a long time.

John Holgate, No problem John, thanks for sharing it on your site.

Quote: Originally posted by cheezycheese

I see it's got all the Kteguru niceties - hotwire, built in speedo... very cool!!

Errrr, you mean it's possible to ride without those things

No one has asked yet but I know it will come up. "If it's made of 304 stainless why did you paint it?" Well, that was one of those boo boo's that happen to us all occasionally. Originally I had polished the whole thing to a mirror finish. Endless hundreds of hours polishing it to perfection. It looked like it just landed from Alpha Centauri. Unfortunately when I got it out in the driveway for the first time the decision to polish it showed itself to be a bad idea. Between having large diameter tubing and 3 full fenders with compound curves and full sides you were blinded from every direction regardless of where the sun was. I was gutted. After thinking about it for a few weeks I figured painting it might look pretty cool too. After sanding it all back to 180 grit the epoxy primer and paint went on and I started feeling better about the whole thing. Live and learn I guess.

Quote: Originally posted by abkayak

i cant believe what im looking at here...totally next level, so F1 apparently those are some very creative naps

Naps and meditation really bring out the best creative thoughts
Doesn't get much work done though

Can't wait to see this thing up on two wheels...!!

Quote: Originally posted by nate76

Very cool Kteguru - looks like you have some amazing welding skills. Did you get any pics of it polished before you painted it? Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Nate. I'm just a rookie though. I don't think you'll ever see me at the level of the Popeye's of the world. I just take my time and try to do a nice job.
I didn't get any pics of the buggy before I painted it unfortunately. I was unhappy and a bit aggravated at the time so it didn't dawn on me to capture the moment. I will post the only other pics I have below. One is of it in the jig when I was tacking up the pieces and the others are after I finished sewing the seat. I got lucky when I bought the fabric for the seat. One of the US gov. contractors that make bullet proof vests was selling off the kevlar fabric that is one of the layers of the vests since the government was changing over to a different product. Super durable yet nice on the bum:D

Quote: Originally posted by skimtwashington

I don't know if this 'Flying V' buggy will break any speed records on the land...but it's making a sound boom across the internet to power kite enthusiasts. Hope to get a view up close at Nahant or WBB and shoot some video of it in the near future.... but of course this needs a Kober produced special film to match it's brilliance and do it cinematic justice. Like to see a bigfoot version for all terrain. A matching race suit would compliment this....and an all white kite quiver:cool2:

You could have seen it on its maiden voyage Brian. You parked at the rotary that day. We saw you kite by on your skates while I was loading up. Dan was busy drooling so I couldn't convince him to go say hello

I forgot to add the pics from the end of the days kiting. The fenders and mudflap did a great job keeping me clean. Just the bottom of the downtube gets a little dirty.

That is like a futuristic concept car. Very nice. Excellent job!

Quote: Originally posted by kteguru

.Bladerunner, Glad to be back. Sorry I missed you when you came out here. Watch out for the kids though now a days with those CAD thingys. They can do some pretty impressive stuff. The future certainly belongs to them. All I can manage is pencil and paper for my designs:dunno: .

As always Kiteguru has it right. Creative young minds will make even this buggy look old school with time.

I think that getting to Wildwood before starting on your build is a very smart move Offaxis. Be sure and take the time to talk to Shehatesmyhobbies, Kiteguru and others who have hands on experience building and modifying buggies. I am sure you will come out of it with a much better idea of what you want to build and why.

Personally, I wanted to meet up with Kiteguru to get schooled as a pilot! He pilots kites like he does everything else. Makes it look easy, artful and generally does it right!

Be sure and watch + learn how the many excellent pilots fly while there. This sport will always be 90% kite skills.

The clams are in trouble with me B-roc:D. Since body parts are starting to hurt as I get older I'm driving more like an old grannie,,,sort of

Quote: Originally posted by mainekite2

I don't believe your flying like an old grannie, I've flown with you. Looks awesome star wars pilot. Cant wait to fly with you again.

Thanks for the thumbs up Craig! I'll be up to pine point soon.

Quote:

I've seen it posted on pages in three different continents already.

Your kidding me?! John said he posted it on XK. Where else is it? Holy cow!! I'm speechless?! Well I'm glad it's pushing the right buttons for everyone! Thanks for the update Rich

Quote: Originally posted by awindofchange

Beautiful, unique and very creative. You should be very proud of such an awesome looking machine. Thank you for sharing and for your inspiration.

Thanks for the compliments Kent. I have one of your buggies on my computer.

Glad I could bring some buggy inspiration to everyone.


I've got to say I'm blown away by all of this. All the great comments really have me standing beside myself over here. Thanks again to everyone.

Biggest congrats from Switzerland my friend! Awesome job! Piece of art - love it!
If Switzerland would have beaches I would have a market for your art piece

Quote: Originally posted by jokiter

Biggest congrats from Switzerland my friend! Awesome job! Piece of art - love it! If Switzerland would have beaches I would have a market for your art piece

Holy cow, first Dean comes out of hiding and drops a bomb on the community with a killer buggy build and then Jens shows up?!?!

Next thing you know Paul is going to be posting and that would be wicked pissa.

Welcome to the "one off " club . It'is a great feeling cruising around on that which you built. Way to make a comeback!:o