Hey all.

Ive been thinking about how i could mod my flexi buggy, for as little money as possible, into more of a cruising buggy.

Someone i know is getting rid of a pair of flexi side rails. i haven't bought them, but im considering it, especially if you think my idea could be done.

what im thinking is making some extended side rails (or more accurately side rail extenders!) out of them.

My idea is to keep it as simple as possible. I'll try and describe it properly, i hope you can interpret what i mean !
Basicaly i would cut the spare side rails just before the bend (or where ever was appropriate to get the correct geometry).
I would then create something that does the same job of the fixing on the axle, and attach that to the cut end of the chopped off side rails. These essentially could just fit straight in to all the standard fixings already on the buggy, giving me an extra foot or so on the side rails.

Strength wise, and for rigidity, i would fix a piece of metal or two between the two extenders, parallel with the axle, so it was either an ' I ' shape, or if it needed two bits, it was a rectangle.

this frame could them be put on the buggy if i wanted the extended rails, or taken off (and the buggy run as standard) if i didnt want them / for storage etc.

Questions:

-Simply, would it work ?
-Would it be strong enough ? (my main concern !)
-What effect would the extenders have on the feel / handling of the buggy ?
-Please give me any feedback / comments you have on my idea. Is it good ?


I value all of your opinions, but obviously i would particularly like the input of guys with experience of buggy modding / welding etc

(oh, and if this turns out to be an amazing idea, and everyone wants one, remember you heard it here first :p )

Cheers
Tim

I just thought, to try and keep the centre of gravity low, perhaps i could cut the rails just the other side of the bend, then when fitting them i could make it so the bend is facing down ('v') ???

The side rails on the main part of the buggy end angled down, this would keep that angle. I think.. ?

You should find a pick of the stainless flexi wide axle. It added length and width to keep the geometry right. You could transform the buggy from cruiser to freestyler in a minute.

Hi Tim

I like the sound of this idea, so long as you can source the correct nylon inserts, having just wrote that I am thinking if you are using siderails from another buggy, they will be the same diameter as the ones you are using, therefore one cannot slide into the to other.

Obviously I assume you know there are already Flexi Buggy extended axles out there, that lengthen and widen the foot print, these slide over your existing rails with a close fit obtained from nylon inserts.....I am worried your rails as I mentioned will be the same size...??

Can you use the same size rails to make an extention of your existing rails?

Yes you can, but it would involve much more than a nylon insert, you would basically have to find some very thick wall pipe to either slide inside preferably or over (a good 6" either side), each section of side rail and pin it via R clips or bolts, you could then still dismantel it if needed.

so to answer your questions

-Simply, would it work ? I believe yes it can be done as I mentioned above, but unless I am missing some information, I dont think so using your method
-Would it be strong enough ? (my main concern !) Using the method I descibed yes unless you are a very heavy guy
-What effect would the extenders have on the feel / handling of the buggy ? just lengthening the buggy, I do not believe you would notice a great deal of difference to be honest, if it was wider as well (like the extended Flexi axle) then yes you would notice a great deal of difference, especially stability
-Please give me any feedback / comments you have on my idea. Is it good ?

I am not a great lover or trying to turn a freestyle buggy into something else, a freestyle buggy should be just that, a cruiser requires higher side rails, lower seat and COG, longer and wider foot print and greater thought about comfort especially your back, its the difference between sitting on a stool and sitting in your favourite armchair.

My advice is, if you wish to go down this route buy a Flexi extended axle, personally what I would do is, if money is the issue, sell the Flexi buggy and buy a 2nd hand cruiser.....if you get a good price for your Flexi and there is no reason why not then consider speaking to Van, I am sure he can help you out or at least give you some sound advice.

Hmm alright, thanks for your help guys. Seems like it will be a lot more work, and less effective then I thought! I don't think I'll bother.

I did know about the flexi wide axle, yeah. I initially didn't choose to get one cause of money (ex student), and I don't think they're being made any more, so are fairly rare. I'll keep my eyes open, see if any come up.

I have thought about selling my flexi, and getting a different type. If I could do that and not make a loss I would be very tempted, depending on the bug I was getting obviously.

I drive a very small car, and my buggy just about fits in it. Either of the above options would mean I would have to find some other way of transporting them. (I have a standard bike rack..?) But that's another issue, for anothe time.

Don't get me wrong, I like my flexi bug lots, and am very pleased wit it. If I end up keeping it as is i'm fine with that. I'm just wondering if it is the best buggy for my requirements.

Anyway, thanks again for your advice guys

Tim

tim- not sure on the other side of the pond but we have a company here in the US trikebuggy.com that is remaking the flexibuggies in stainless and sells the wide axle for i think $209- just fyi
scott

Nobby is selling a wide axle for a flexi buggy:

http://www.racekites.com/forum/showthread.php?5265-SS-flexif...

He knows a lot about buggy mods, so you'll be sure to get good workmanship if he's selling it. I've bought kites from him before and trust him.

Listen to Popeye when he says that you should consider selling the flexi and getting a cruiser if that's what you want. Trying to turn a flexi into a cruiser is a waste of money.

By the way, I am selling a RS buggy, similar to a Libre, that will not take up much more room in your car than a flexi and will ride soooo much nicer.

http://www.racekites.com/forum/showthread.php?4794-RS-Buggy-...

Quote:

Originally posted by jimbocz Nobby is selling a wide axle for a flexi buggy: http://www.racekites.com/forum/showthread.php?5265-SS-flexif... He knows a lot about buggy mods, so you'll be sure to get good workmanship if he's selling it. I've bought kites from him before and trust him. Listen to Popeye when he says that you should consider selling the flexi and getting a cruiser if that's what you want. Trying to turn a flexi into a cruiser is a waste of money. By the way, I am selling a RS buggy, similar to a Libre, that will not take up much more room in your car than a flexi and will ride soooo much nicer. http://www.racekites.com/forum/showthread.php?4794-RS-Buggy-...

Aha....I didnt realise Tim was from the UK....this is a USA based forum Tim, the RS buggy on offer will be perfect for your needs, and you should be able to sell your Flexi and purchase the RS at no extra cost to you

Google Kitecrowd and racekites.com for local forums with local forsale sections, although you will never find a friendlier buggy crew than here.

I am in the UK yeah I know this is a USA based forum, and i am on race kites and kite crowd. Although i hardly use race kites at all. I dont use them half as much as this one. I find PKF more active, knowledgable and helpful, so tend I use this one unless its a UK specific question or whatever.

Thank for that info jim I don't suppose you could pm me some dimentions of the RS you have for sale ? There's no rush at all, but I would apreciate them
Idealy axle length (with and without wheels), and buggy length from the centre of the axle to the very front, and from the back wheel to the front wheel (the outside of both)
I know they seem a bit random, but that will let me work out if it will fit in my car in one piece
It's not a beautiful looking buggy, but I don't doubt it will cruise much nicer than my flexifoil. It would be quite a long / pricey drive to collect, but I'd consider it

There's actually also quite a nice libre on eBay at the moment, with BFs, but it isn't ideal for me..

Tim