I've gone through PTW's bug build plans and stuff and see that it says it's much like a PL Classic. In the materials list I see the axle at about 950mm and think that not only would the bug perhaps wind up being a little narrow for my wishes but also shorter than I'd hope. Can these measurements be modified without much concern over beefing up the material used for the build and how far / what's a good, stable axle width and bug length? I understand the length may require some reengineering of the side rail measurements and curves etc.

Popeye may be the best one to answer this one for you, after all he is the master buggy builder.

My opinion, it really depends on what you plan on doing with your buggy. I just put up a post on one of the other threads discussing full race buggies vs. the standard PL type bugs. In a nut shell it comes down to your specific use as to what would be best.

950mm is appx. 3+ ft. Tires and wheels will give you another est. 8" on that, making the overall width close to the 4 foot mark. If you extend the rear axle you will also want to change the length of the side rails to keep your triangulation and center of gravity at it's optimum. For grassy parks and freestyle riding where you aren't going to be hitting serious high speeds, what you have will be a very nice axle length. If you are making long high speed runs you may want to go a bit longer on the overall length.

Hope this helps.

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Originally posted by macboy I've gone through PTW's bug build plans and stuff and see that it says it's much like a PL Classic. In the materials list I see the axle at about 950mm and think that not only would the bug perhaps wind up being a little narrow for my wishes but also shorter than I'd hope. Can these measurements be modified without much concern over beefing up the material used for the build and how far / what's a good, stable axle width and bug length? I understand the length may require some reengineering of the side rail measurements and curves etc.

Sure you can change the dimensions where ever you like, if you lengthen the buggy at the front, remember to add length, behind your seat position too...you must try to keep the tow point in the same place.

As for axle lengths, again really depends on the size of the buggy you are going to build and what it will be used for, I have played with axle lengths and my preference is 1600 long, but then my buggies are long enough to cope with a 1600 axle, I am only 5'7" and have to add foot peg extenders, so that I can maintain my tow point in the buggy....

There are 100s of variables when building a buggy, and you will learn more from trial and error than I could ever try to explain.

Keep your materials cheap to start with, learn from your mistakes, and improve as you go along....how ever good you make your buggy, you will find faults with it, probably before you have even finished it....but thats how you improve.

Good luck carl

Where can I view or buy a set of these plans?

hiya bake...

I'm no buggier, but the link in PTW's sig is the place to go...

two clicks in, you'll find this:

http://pic7.piczo.com/Popeyethewelder/?g=15600133

Here ya go Its right there on Popeyes site. along with a welth of info on buggies buggy stuff

Or....there is the option of proper Cadded up plans

http://popeyethewelder.piczo.com/?g=44945353&cr=7

I'd be thrilled to buy a set of plans from you, how do we go about this?

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Originally posted by bake I'd be thrilled to buy a set of plans from you, how do we go about this?

Email me for details, theres a link to my email on the page