Power Kite Forum

Side rail padding

BeamerBob - 22-9-2008 at 08:24 AM

Every time I buggy, I get a sore place on the outside of my thighs. Many buggies (PL and Libre come to mind) come with rail padding but Flexi does not. Is there a source for buggy rail padding and covers available here in the states or has someone found a product intended for another use that they found worked for kite buggies? The way the seat loops attach to the side rails could require some modification of something that is intended to wrap all the way around the full length of the tubing, but that shouldn't be too difficult. I know I could just get some pipe insulation or some of those colorful water noodles that kids play with in the pool, but was thinking of something with a fabric covering. Maybe I'm making this too hard. The swim noodles are cheap and it wouldn't be a big deal to replace them every so often when they start looking ratty.


I'm interested in what those before me have figured out.

silvereaglekiter - 22-9-2008 at 08:53 AM

the dude from the D.I.Y. god thread made rail covers from seat covers. The pool noodles are cheap and convenient + they Float

BeamerBob - 22-9-2008 at 09:16 AM

Maybe some pool noodles in the right color will do the trick. I do have an old boat cover in blue sunbrella that could be cut up to make some decent covers as well. I was trying to avoid a full on diy project because I really get sucked into them and they are easy to start but tough to finish.

DAKITEZ - 22-9-2008 at 09:18 AM

the black pipe insulation will blend right in on the black flexi bug.

silvereaglekiter - 22-9-2008 at 09:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
I was trying to avoid a full on diy project because I really get sucked into them and they are easy to start but tough to finish.


I know what you mean I have a list of unfinished projects a mile long already:(

BeamerBob - 22-9-2008 at 09:23 AM

It is somewhat soft and not really suited for the constant abrasion it will get with my thighs wedged against it and the seat straps and wire ties digging into it. I agree the black is the easy choice though. I don't really want the colors to be controversial. My blue boat cover material would be fine. It matches the PL covers pretty well.

kitemaker4 - 22-9-2008 at 11:53 AM

Pool noodles, duck tape and a fabric cover. If you need me to I can make you some covers. Send me a u2u.

Susan (npw goddess)

awindofchange - 22-9-2008 at 04:27 PM

The pool noodles are called Funnoodles. They do work good, just make sure you get the ones that have the hole in the middle and are not solid. Slit them down on the side to the center so you can snap them around your tubing and like Susan mentioned, wrap them with some electrical tape to hold them into place so they don't come off or slide around. Then just cover them up with some heavy duty dacron or denim covers. We do sell the PL side rail covers pre-made but they only come in the standard blue colors and are made to fit the PL buggy - they should fit the flexi as well, we did custom fit some onto a couple kite trikes too. If you want some custom colors then contact the NPW Goddess. :) She's such a sweetheart, contact her via e-mail cuz you'll never catch her on the playa. lol

awindofchange - 22-9-2008 at 04:30 PM

I forgot to mention that if you can't find the funnoodles, you can hit any Home Depot or Lowes and get some regular pipe insulation, basically the same stuff and it comes with some self-sticky stuff to assemble them on. Cost is appx. 2 bucks for a 5 foot length. I like the more expensive rubber type insulation over the foam cuz it resists indentations a bit better (springs back after being compressed). Both work fine tho.

Good luck.

BeamerBob - 22-9-2008 at 06:39 PM

Just for grins, how much do replacement PL pads run? I shoulda kept the ones that were on the PL I sold. I'm talking to Susan and I'm sure what she can make will be much better than modified PL pads.

revpaul - 22-9-2008 at 09:31 PM

Quote:
We do sell the PL side rail covers pre-made but they only come in the standard blue colors and are made to fit the PL buggy

Hi Kent,
I'll take a set of extended side rail pads and covers if they'll fit my PL Race buggy. I think my PL Race might have smaller outer diameter side rails then a new XR+.
Paul

awindofchange - 23-9-2008 at 12:25 PM

Prices are on our website. The pads should fit the Race buggy even though the rails will be slightly smaller in diameter than the XR+. If you check around you should be able to find some thicker padding that will take up the slack in the cover.

Here is the link to the rail covers:
http://www.awindofchange.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&am...

(may need to cut & paste the entire link to get it to work)

We have about a dozen sets in stock right now, I will need to check to make sure we have the extended covers...pretty sure we got them tho.

kitemaker4 - 25-9-2008 at 06:57 PM

BeamerBob

Here are your new side rail and back rest covers.

Susan (npw goddess)


BeamerBob - 25-9-2008 at 07:36 PM

Man I wish I had those for tomorrow! Great work Susan. Fast and reasonable. Watch out though. Here come the orders. I'll post pics of them once I have them installed.

awindofchange - 26-9-2008 at 11:12 AM

Those look very nice Susan. I know where I am going for my next set of pads now. :)

i goofed up order

revpaul - 26-9-2008 at 11:36 AM

Kent,
I goofed, only ordered 1 cover.:crazy:
.:crazy:
:thumbup:
Paul