WOW I'm amazed at all the input this thread is getting helping me out in my situation!! Thanks to you all!!

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Originally posted by Bladerunner One thing scaring me ? G.B. is kite crazy. If you can't find local flyers and a local shop is it possible there isn't a decent spot anyplace close to you ? :shocked2: ?

I have found a local kite-store in York and its'about half an hours drive from me, during the week I'm going to have a nosey on down there ask questions and ask to be able to sit in one of their buggy's if they have them in stock. I would imagine that the kite shop will be some event lists where I may be able to find some local flyers that may be able able to help.

Having had search around google I have come across NKG. On the 10th October at Pontefract Racecourse NKG (northern kite group) is holding a kite festival, this is only 15 minutes away from my house, which is encouraging as NKG is a group for anyone in the Yorkshire area that is interested in building and flying kites, this can only suggest that there are plenty of kite flyers locally to me.

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Originally posted by Scudley DS's knees are not locked. He can steer using using his hip muscles. The system he uses also allows him to steer by pulling back with his better leg while pushing with his weak leg. I think ankle movement alone would not provide enough range to steer the buggy.

Because my legs do not bend, having walked that way for 27 years, has lead to natural movement of my walk to change adapting to the differences, this has resulted in extremely good hip movements, which gives me the confidence that DS's system may well still work for me, It would be very interesting if we can manage to get some photos of DS' system for ideas.

Here's the beta versions.

Cool, that helps to get a better idea, DS, definitley has much much more movement from both knees and hips than I have, and it does make me wonder how much modifying I'd need to make to the buggy to make this work , although only 5ft ish, I fear my legs would maybe go straight passed the pegs.

yorkie, after you check out some of the store buggies, ask the shops to let you sit in them and see if they would adjust the down tube to fit you. If it won't work there are many buggy builders that make bigger bugs that might be a better fit.
You might contact some of the buggy company's and see if they would be willing to help you out with your situation and see if any of them steps up to be a ambassador of the sport and work with you, I can see it now, Peter Lynn designs custom kite buggy for customer.
If I was a dealer for a buggy company, I would be on the phone as we speak.
A custom buggy might be the answer, can you weld?

As you move forward you may want to contact Popeyethewelder . He has an amazing mind for buggies , is in G.B. and is the salt of the earth. He loves a challenge + growing the sport.

I take it you are not at home in a chair? This Guy has me wanting like crazy to teach kiting to the Para community since I 1st saw it.
http://en.radsails.com/kite-videos/events/Kitesports-Alex-Sa...

If you are at home in a chair this is a real option, even if it looks like a step backwards. D'sliddy needs a chair like this so he can teach others after he's walking!

I won't be surprised if the shop owner you meet has put some thought into this already if he is a land oriented rider. He will respect that you aren't coming in cold at least !

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Originally posted by yorkieflyer Cool, that helps to get a better idea, DS, definitley has much much more movement from both knees and hips than I have, and it does make me wonder how much modifying I'd need to make to the buggy to make this work , although only 5ft ish, I fear my legs would maybe go straight passed the pegs.

To use this system you definitely need free knees. In fact DS had his leg braces modified to be able to lock out the auto lock of the knee joint.

Blade runner suggested for tandem buggying that driving from the rear buggy would be a problem. My guess is he is thinking of two buggies linked by a hitch. I had thought a real three wheel tandem buggy. It would not be that hard to modify something like a Super Truck to take two butt buckets similar to those used in some sport chairs. Leg room is not a problem with the bucket type seat, you would only need about a foot between buckets.
S

I get it now. I think KiteGuru has his buggy set up like that or I thought I saw him piloting one in a video?

Something like the Kindred?

PICS

That would work for people with a disability similar to Yorkie's only if he is in the back. In the front seat, locked knees would still limit the front wheel's motion. You would need to some means of holding his legs up but not requiring his knees to bend: perhaps a cross bar attached to the swan neckabout five inches back of the steering tube to rest his calves on and keeping his feet out of the front wheel. These might be work quite nicely after a little cutting


They could be padded with pipe insulation, or pool noodle for comfort.
S

Just a random thought, but how about an adaptation of a pantograph to amplify the ankle movement. I'm not positive it would work, but you should be able to get a 2 or 3x applification pretty easily. That would be enough movement to turn a buggy wheel, but would take 2-3x more pressure.

If you just want to see a buggy to try it out, go to Pontefract Racecourse on any weekend. I don't live around there, but I'm a member of a UK forum (www.kitesbuggiesandboards.com) and guys who fly there post all the time. As far as I know, they fly there all the time. I'm sure if you showed up, approach all the buggiers standing around and explain what you are after you will get all the help in the world. I bet they'll talk your ears off!

I am over at dirtslide's looking at this problem. We think the answer to this is something the the Travel Agent, (A bike device for allowing cantilever brake levers with Vbrakes). You would use your feet steer using cables. The cable is attached to a shiv that attached to a large shiv. Cable attached to the large shiv pulls the fork. A 1" shiv with a 3" shiv should provide enough range if the cable is attached close to the steering axis. You will still need something to support your legs and keep them clear of the wheel.
Try yacht chandleries for the parts. Or look at motoX style throtle enhancers to get more of an idea.
This solution assumes you have enough strength in your ankles to handle the steering forces.

Scudley and Mr. Slide

Peter Lynn NZ and/or XXtreme can design something for ya through us.

I was thinking more lean (similar to the buggy cycle) to turn with two wheels in the front and one in the back.