It's been a long journey, but I've finally finished my buggy. I think I get the longest build trophy. Kinda ironic that I finally get it done and winter is just around the corner, oh well there is always next summer. Just want to give a big thanks to Kent, Van, Carl and everyone else that's given me advice, idea's and inspiration to complete my project. I wouldn't have been successful without ya.

Here's a few pics of the end product:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beaker69/

That is totally awesome, the rails look like they came out perfectly. I bet you are thrilled!!! Nice job, wish I could help you break it in.

Very nice...!!

Whoa. Nice work, Cheddy.

Wanna race? Just swing down to Applesauce! Got a nice place now.

Awesome buggy, the angles off the steering knuckles look very professional.

Cwoodkiter

Great looking bug. Can't wait to hear about how it rides!

lots of tires available with that size of rear wheel. Your 1st buggy you build is always the best.

Thanks for the props guys!:bigok: This is as clean as it will ever be so thought I'd get some pics in before I put it thru it's paces. Now I need some more buggy engines.

Make sure to submit it to PTW, would love to see yet another PKF'er make his home-brewed-bug page!

Wow, Very nice! It looks like the "Black Widow" but with gloss coating...oh I see you mentioned Van,

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Originally posted by Nfish Wow, Very nice! It looks like the "Black Widow" but with gloss coating...oh I see you mentioned Van,

Funny you say that, it's an "overstock" seat from VTT, just with the logo removed. I'm not skilled enough with sewing to make my own seat, so Van helped out by selling me one. Seat and siderails are the only two items I needed help with so thanks to Van and Kent for that.

I still wonders if those seats were made by his wife...I just could not picture Van sits in front of a sewing machine :P

Haha ... yes, I do sit in front of a sewing machine. My wife actually hates sewing. She's a great cook but keep her away from machinery ..hahaha.

I had about 5 black widow seats that I made for my buggies last year that was left over. It's not custom made to fit the buggy but should work good enough. Those rails are a little wide for that seat but should work.

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Originally posted by van Those rails are a little wide for that seat but should work.

A tad wide for the seat but the whole arrangement fit's me like a glove, I'm pretty stoked!

Looks like it was worth the wait. Very nice!

Finally got a few hours today to give my new bug a trial run. Winds blowing 10 to 15mph out of the north so I could use my favorite place the long way for a change. I couldn't be happier with the overall fit. Back support is awesome, very secure feeling when powered up thanks to the higher siderails and snug fit, makes me feel more confident right from the start. Large tires sure make the ride nice. I will say that I felt very underpowered due to the increased resistance. Large tires, medium length grass field made keeping momentum an issue, I def need to amp up the power with conditions like this. May have to buy some slimmer tires for the soccer fields. Ironically the parking lot was the best part of the ride due to its fast surface. Can't wait to get back out tomorrow, calling for 20 to 30mph winds.

I'm very impressed! Most first builds look like..... Um....... First builds. That looks like a well designed and refined buggy. You need some really low rolling resistance and wide open spaces like we have here. Come on down and play!

Thanks Bob, that's why it took so long to build, lot's of planning, advise and learning from this forum. It's all part of my OCD It drives me crazy to do things half ass when I'm passionate about something. I don't even want to know what I spent making this bug, I think my wife would kill me if she knew:o Could just as well bought one, but it was a challenge I wanted to take. Ivanpah or Alvord is on my dream list of places to buggy someday, perhaps I can convince the wife it's a bucket list item. Lots of learning to do first, then perhaps a visit.

Rob

Ship the buggy & kites to me - then take the wife on a weekend excursion to Vegas! She gets to play for a couple days in Vegas, you get one day on the Playa. When done, I will ship the buggy & gear back to you.

Very nice! now go get it dirty!

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Originally posted by bigkid Your 1st buggy you build is always the best.

Not exactly true... This was my first..... It was called the " green grasshopper".... Then it got renamed "green asshopper"..... And I learned about the importance of siderails....:wee:

Very Nice job all around and your OCD planning is evident. Thoughtfully curved siderails. Footpegs are stirrup-ready. Looks like adjustable axle height. Best of luck with your first runs!

Superb workmanship well executed, I can see a lot of influences in there, if this is No1, I can only imagine what your future buggies will look like.

10/10

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Originally posted by popeyethewelder I can see a lot of influences in there10/10

Thanks Carl! Yes, it's all influences! I have to give most all the credit to you guys since your the one's that pioneered the ideas and shared them with people like me. I just copied and borrowed bits and put them all together. Not much imagination on my part. I can't use a computer very well so a majority of the parts were simply drawn on graph paper, then transfered to steel and cut out with an angle grinder. Amazing what can be done with a few power tools and persistance.

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Originally posted by Cheddarhead Quote: Originally posted by popeyethewelder I can see a lot of influences in there10/10 I just copied and borrowed bits and put them all together. Amazing what can be done with a few power tools and persistance.

That mirrors what I did with the 06 Fandango buggy, and I still only use a few tools, 4 1/2" grinder, Tig inverter, hydrolic press and a pistol drill....thats it for years, only the last year or so have added a chop saw and a 9" grinder....you dont need much to make a buggy ehh, congratulations again on a great looking buggy

....and of course you made it in the home brew Facebook page...scroll through there are over 1000 remarkable home brew buggies from around the world....really amazing, I never tire of looking through them time and time again

Facebook Home Brews

How do those new side rails feel? That has the new bend-out for your thighs that should be very comfortable (thanks to Pop's for the innovation).

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Originally posted by awindofchange How do those new side rails feel? That has the new bend-out for your thighs that should be very comfortable (thanks to Pop's for the innovation).

Kent, prop's for the new design! Nice and secure around the midsection but VERY comfy and relaxed in the thigh area. (Sounds like a jeans commercial doesn't it) Really allows you to have freedom of your legs/thighs and still be very secure in the seat. I think you've hit a home run with this. Hopefully you can try it out for yourself and see what I mean. I'm nothing less than impressed!

Rob.

Very nice looking ride!
Enjoy it often!

I will be retro-fitting a set onto my Ivanpah as soon as I get a bunch of new projects finished here. That design will be the new standard for all future Ivanpah's.....along with some other major overhauling and advancements.