I was wondering what was the point of side rail pads and the covers?

To stop your ribs getting bruised.....

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Originally posted by popeyethewelder To stop your ribs getting bruised.....

but it will not stop the ribs from breaking :shocked2:
I know of a few that know first hand, mostly from the high side rails. Besides it helps dress up the buggy, kind of like doors on the car.

Non race buggies like your XR will cause bruising on any hard contact point with the siderails without some padding. The covers are to protect the padding with the added benefit of being able to choose the color.

I added pads and covers to my original Flexi buggy because of the bruises I would get on the outside of my lower thigh just above the knee.

If you're asking, you probably don't need them.

good one Van ...

Speaking of padding, where can I get some good one for my Flexifoil buggy ?
I tried to put some of that before, wrap it around the rails and reinforce them with zip ties and tape.....needless to say that didn't hold much...:sniff:

Closed cell pipe insulation can be used for padding. Your local Lowes or Home Depot should have it in various sizes.



WRT to covers:
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=21374

They are slit and seal with pre-applied adhesive.

Even with tape, zip ties would tend to shred the foam. Velcro closure covers are kinder to the foam.

ATB,
Sam

There are a couple options for you.
1. You can convert your side rails and seat to one of Vans. He custom fabricates some really high quality items for buggies and with a little work can make a XR + (side rail kit) to fit your flexifoil. Once this is converted over... pads and covers will fit under the strapping of seat.
2. If you are going to keep stock flexi seat then pool noodles or insulation pipe covers will fit. I've tried the tape and zip ties numerous times and it always fails rather quickly. You also can't take apart your buggy without ruining the pads either.

This year I took padding..slit it down so it will go over the side rail tubes and straps. Then go out and purchase velcro ties...Big ones like a 1.5 in width ( these things look like the old velcro watch bands only bigger). Use 3 or 4 per side to hold padding on. Then when you need to replace pads or take buggy apart it is only a 2 minute job to replace or put back on.

I actually used my kite killers to hold them on (worked great)...Had a bunch and some really nice PKF members sent me some others.

Love the ideas and I will go to Lowe's to get those pipe insulation.
I think the pool noodles will work too, I'll have to check on that.

Thanks guys.

I added even more padding to my side rails to help keep me planted in the seat . It doesn't equal the contoured side rails race buggies now come with but it does feel like I'm in there a bit tighter.

Coloured hockey tape makes for a smart looking and cheap cover.

Further to indigo's pipe insulation .... I believe it was on this forum ... someone used a "pool noodle" floatation device ... little bit of vasiline and apparently went on the rails with moderate effort .... can't remember the brand of buggy he was working with ....

Van ... XR+ rail upgrade on my BigMike buggy .... do you make different color side rail pad covers? ... I am wondering about bright red (Canadian flag red)

Pool noodles might give better options for thickness and hole size. It's pretty much the same stuff as the closed cell pipe insulation. Good hardware stores have lots of options on "pipe" size and insulation thickness. Lowes prolly only has 2 sizes and neither are optimal. I used pool noodles on several buggies. I'm going to add a touch of foam to mine to customize the fit a bit more.

...there probably somewhere over the forum, but could you guys post any pictures showing how it supposed to look (especially with pool noodles) ?
Do I need to take the seat out completely or take the buggy apart in order to 'slide' the noodle on the rail ?? ......so many questions, and not enough hours in a day to execute the result...

Pool noodles and duck tape work great. I have been using them for years.

Susan (npw goddess)

duck tape has all kinds of colors and designs, it even comes in pink with flames for that custom look.

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Originally posted by AviN ......so many questions, and not enough hours in a day to execute the result...

we used to use phones for this exact reason, I still do.

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we used to use phones for this exact reason, I still do

Well, one, I don't want to be a nag and two, not everybody wants to talk on the phone / bothered with non-familiar ppl or probably living in a different time zone....
Trust me, if I could, I would ;-)

bigbear, I just sent a set of bright red side rail covers to LookUp out in midland, tx last week!! Funny that I told him he will probably be the only want that wanted the red color and I got plenty of red fabric left. Let me know and I will whip up a set of red ones for you.

concerning the padding, I used the ones for air conditioning lines. They are higher quality and cost about 4 times as much but provide a much softer feel.

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Originally posted by kitemaker4 Pool noodles and duck tape work great. I have been using them for years. Susan (npw goddess)

Did you not used to sew up noodle covers for customers Susan ? Or was it just your GPS holder is designed that way ?

for the softer pipe insulation , it's almost a gel like feel , and if it's the same as what I have its full length split , easy installation.

I used the more gel feel type Patrick mentioned on my Rat Buggy ( a little more ging but worth it). Instead of Duct tape I used Gorrilla tape. Way stronger glue and thicker fabric. Holds up real well to the elements.

there was a great kite maker here on forum who used to make for people she does great work she has made a stealth kite for me still one of my favorites its susan

Pool noodles are ok but break down pretty quick, must factor that into equation

I do make custom side rail covers that fit over the the pool noodles after they are wraped up in duck tape.

Susan (npw goddess)

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Originally posted by Bladerunner Quote: Originally posted by kitemaker4 Pool noodles and duck tape work great. I have been using them for years. Susan (npw goddess) Did you not used to sew up noodle covers for customers Susan ? Or was it just your GPS holder is designed that way ?

Glad your are enjoying the stealth kite that I made up. I am still making single lines inbetween sewing up nasa wings, side rail covers and buggy seats.

Susan (npw goddess)

Quote:

Originally posted by stevep there was a great kite maker here on forum who used to make for people she does great work she has made a stealth kite for me still one of my favorites its susan