Here is a link to the pictures of the recent modifications that I've done to the "Lay-Z-Boy" Buggy. This thing has been a ton of work but there is the satisfaction that when you're all done and sit down in it and it just feels right, its like getting free stuff. Comments are highly encouraged. I don't powder coat for one good reason - I change something on this beast at least once every 6 months.

http://s414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/waxphone/?albumview...

Wow, that's awesome flexiblade! Nice work. Inspiring to say the least.

Are you still thinking of building or have you decided to just get to it and buy one?

Both. Bought one but at the same time bought a set of old school aluminum wheels and will build a buggy around them. I have to confess, I'm cheating and ordering siderails for the first go thinking that was one of the toughest bits but I have a feeling that this won't be the only one I build so I'll have to do them yet ; )

Looking good !!!

I can't wait to see it in person.

One problem though ..... were is the cupholder ?!? No lazyboy is complete without a cup holder :P

Looks great- I like the flat foot rests. I hadn't figured out what I was going to do there yet. I think I will do something similar but with extra mounting holes for some adjustment. Good job on a nice, clean build!

Hey Flexi.

Very impressive indeed. I'm wondering about your front axle configuration. It looks complex and like it would require a very close tolerance between loose, too tight, and just right. How did you go down the design path you did and why not just nylocks on the end of a threaded axle? Your design looks to be similar to quick release mechanisms for bicycle axles.

The original axle that I used on the Mark-3 was a threaded 3/4" rod - the problem using threaded rod as an axle is that they are not quite 3/4" and I ended up with speed wobbles around 15mph that would smooth out after I got going a little faster - it just sucked though. I went with the design I used because I didn't want to spend a bunch of money on a prefab axle - I thought of having a machine shop thread the ends of the 3/4" rod that I used - you know how much a machine shop charges for adding thread to a rod? Between $40 - 60 per threading. So I went with a non-threaded design that incorporated the ends secured with "cotter" pins. And yes I borrowed a similar idea from a bicycle quick release. It is a very tight finicky axle to wheel to fork fit - getting it apart is tricky but not impossible.

Well done Flexiblade, looks impressive, what shocks did you use, and how did you work out the PPSI needed

send me a photo so I can add it to my homebrew page

how does it ride?

Haven't had a chance to take it out yet - hopefully this weekend - will give a full breakdown of ride characteristics and handling. As far as the shocks - don't know the brand name off hand - got them off of ebay for $6 a piece - they are mountain bike shocks - I could probably use them now that the buggy has a higher clearance than it used to and the seat straps are adjustable as compared to non-adjustable before. I never adjusted the shocks (they do have a threaded screw on the shaft for tightening and releasing tension) - they were never really spongy before - I just didn't have a lot of clearance and would find myself getting scraped a little if going over bumpy terrain. I should put them back on since they just look cool - and would help with some of the bumpy terrain that Ocean Beach is throwing up this time of year, driftwood and seaweed clumps. Thanks for the response - I'll send you a pick to put up in the hall of homemade fame.

P.S. That new avatar your using gives me the creeps - I hope that was your intention.