Quote: Originally posted by wiers

I am looking at building my own buggy because all I want (at this point) is a basic bug that will hold my weight 240lbs. I wont have the opportunity to ride to much, therefore a bug with no bells and whistles would be great. Seeing your work Van and if you had a $300 basic bug at jibe that I would not have to worry about breaking I would have probably bought it. I also know 2 others in my same position that would also be interested in a basic well built no frills bug. I like your thoughts on this. I think there is a market for entry level no frills bug that will hold 200 plus lbs. Good luck.

guess I'm a bit late to this thread, wonder were I was?
Any way, I had one in the back of the truck with your name on it. Or I think it had your name on it, nobody claimed it so it has to be yours.
Call me and see what we can do.

I have been thinking about this for some time also.

I will know more this weekend, but making up parts for a buggy is a no-brainer to me.
If you could buy parts such as the side rails, and find a rear axle and fork, and wheel and deal for the other parts, you could make your own in your time and as the funds come about.

My thinking is, if the hardest part, the siderails were able to be bought off the shelf, the rest of the bug is easy to make, right?
Buy a set of plans, that has the basic buggy design, parts list and sizes, and if someone can fab them up and ship for a few bucks, you got a great start.

Any thoughts?

Quote: Originally posted by bigkid

I have been thinking about this for some time also. I will know more this weekend, but making up parts for a buggy is a no-brainer to me. If you could buy parts such as the side rails, and find a rear axle and fork, and wheel and deal for the other parts, you could make your own in your time and as the funds come about. My thinking is, if the hardest part, the siderails were able to be bought off the shelf, the rest of the bug is easy to make, right? Buy a set of plans, that has the basic buggy design, parts list and sizes, and if someone can fab them up and ship for a few bucks, you got a great start. Any thoughts?

I've made a few side rails for PKF members in the past so they can make their own buggies. I still have that option available for anyone that needs parts they can not fabricate themselves. My ultimate goal is to make a BARE BONE kit which would include rails, fork , downtube, and axle only. No other parts ... bolts .. nuts .. plastic .. They can make their own seat or I can have a basic seat. Most people can sew a basic seat together.

Van i know i am dragging up an old thread but if you still have the pictures of my bug put them up here for people to see what you are talking about

If you have something to cut flat plate at a finished quality and you are not adding wheels and tires then you are in way under 400 with your cricket seat and not much time invested espesialy if you sell as a kit that can be welded to geather later for 300 you could deffinantly have all the parts for 400 welded to geather

I am 290 and my frame other than siderails is an old gate i salvaged just plain old 1 1/4 squared tubing minus vans seat and siderails i cut to suit my wide hips everything else came from tractor supply compleet i was near the 400 mark but i went overkill on allot of the hardware and wheels
I have allways thought that a diy kit would hit the spot with this crowd and then it could be slightly costomized for each rider like tall fat ones that dont fit in any production bugs
so go ahead and try it i would probably be interested in a second bug

Van talks about not going faster than 5mph in a PL standard buggy.....well Andrew Beattie (UK) went over 60mph in a PL folding buggy!!! at El Mirage 1998. Now that takes balls!!! And lived to tell the tail

A lower cost buggy is a good idea, but which speciality are you aiming for, Freestyle, casual use, raceing, as they all need different specs.

The PL standard, is just that. All you have to do is fit the deeper siderails to turn it into a more comfortable cruiser, basic racer. Freestyle needs beefed up frame, wheel bolts.

If anyone can make a look-a-like PL buggy for less cost then they are on a winner in my book.