Looking for a wide axle for the Stainless Steel Flexifoil Buggy, anybody got a line on a non Trike Buggy option or perhaps a trade of some sort for gear listed for sale in my sig., let me know. BTW I'm in Monterey, Ca so shipping would probably have to be figured in. Thanks

Super hard to find original...got one last year and paid as much, if not more then when offered new. Not complaining at all, but you can get them from the place you mentioned. Scott (Flyguy0101) purchased one for his flexifoil cheaper then I got mine for and was extremely high quality.

I couldn't be happier on how it changed my ride..what a difference.

Is there a reason for not going with Trike?

I would have to modify it as they are using 15mm bearings, currently I have wheels with 12mm and a set w/20mm and 12mm spacers. I know this is a shot in the dark but you never know what might happen on the PKF...

Ah...now I understand....Hey just to see. I know Kent "At a wind of change" sells bearing etc. He also has mentioned to me about having things fabricated so give him a call he may be able to help you with that problem.

I cant remember exactly how it worked but if you have the 12mm and 20mm then you also have the 15mm too. You just need different bearings. I think it was the 12mm wheel that was also the 15mm. The outer diameter of the bearing was the same just the inner diameter was different. Someone correct me if it was the 15mm and 20mm in the same wheel but I dont think so.

Kent @ A wind of Change carries all of the spacers and bearings so....I think this is just a phone call or e-mail to fix you right up.

I don't have any parts for the Flexi bugs...but do have the wheel adapters and the spacers, bearings, bolts, etc... Those are pretty much interchangeable between the PL & Flexi bugs.

As for the rear axle, I do have Peter Lynn Big Foot/extended rear axles in stock. The measurement on the frame rails for the PL buggy is 20 3/16" wide as measured from center of rail to center of rail. If your Flexi measures close to this, the PL axle may work for you.

I also have some of the PL Carbon rear axles in stock. These are on a special deal of $375 each. They have an adjustable rear frame rail clamp system that will allow them to be used on the Flexifoil and other buggies. The carbon axle is about 6-7 inches wider than the stock axle but not quite as wide as the bigfoot rear axle.

Just for kicks, I also have two of the older style suspension rear axles. I am willing to let those go for $200.00 each.

The Flexi side rails are about 2" wider IIRC.

Wow, I thank all for the response, I think I'll probably go the machine shop route as I've decided to make a telescoping axle using the standard axle I have, it will extend form 39" (95cm) to 55" (135cm) and back again for transport, I am considering a PL XR+ seat to lower the center of gravity a bit (my fat a**), between the two I should be able to apply more power than I can currently. Again thanks to all who I've talked to on this, I'll post pics when its done. BTW Bob, what is IIRC?

Quote:

Originally posted by apextech BTW Bob, what is IIRC?

If I Recall Correctly

LMGTFY

Linky

Thats funny, I'm actually looking this stuff up :eureka: thanks for the link, useful.

Flexi wide axle..Just saw this on ebay, I see about one a year...good luck
item # 221164466194

Quote:

Originally posted by apextech I would have to modify it as they are using 15mm bearings, currently I have wheels with 12mm and a set w/20mm and 12mm spacers. I know this is a shot in the dark but you never know what might happen on the PKF...

According to BEC, who has one, the trike buggy extended axle uses the same 12mm axle bolts as your flexifoil classic axle. Thanks BEC
S

For that money, I'd try to see if you can get a dealer to get you one of the new ones. Many improvements, but no factory wide axle. This is higher than retail on these buggies when they were available. My first buggy was apparently the last original stainless Flexi to be shipped to the US. Drewculous owns it now.

Just a slight communication error here....I have an original wide axle for my flexi...running original wheels...12mm
Flyguy0101 purchased one from the Trike guy...He might be running different wheels but I'm not sure...Either way between the spacers and bearings that Kent has in stock you should be able to get yours going quickly...bolt and go...I will call him today and just check in with him on info

Quote:

Originally posted by Scudley Quote: Originally posted by apextech I would have to modify it as they are using 15mm bearings, currently I have wheels with 12mm and a set w/20mm and 12mm spacers. I know this is a shot in the dark but you never know what might happen on the PKF... According to BEC, who has one, the trike buggy extended axle uses the same 12mm axle bolts as your flexifoil classic axle. Thanks BEC S

I have no idea what size my bearings are but i have 2 old flexi buggys and they are the same size, i think theu are the 12mm size- maybe angus will pipe in since one of the bugs is his old flexi buggy, or i will try and measure this weekend and let you know
Scott

So I called TrikeBuggy on this and they said they used the 12mm axle bolts, but I really wanted something a little different, so here is what I came up with.

I call it the convertible axle. Its made from 2) 17.75" lengths of 1" stainlesss pipe (which is 1.315 od x 1" id x .133 wall) ) inserted into the cut off end end of the original flexi axle 1.75", thus retaining the orig. insert and axle bolt. welded in place and that assembly is slipped into the original axle which is 1.5" od and 1.37 id. Being that over time the axle has deflected and isnt entirely straight this makes a good slip fit and is pinned with 1/4" PTO lock pins.

The axle collapses to its original length of 95cm (39") for transport and extends to 135cm (55") for use, this way it fits in my truck with out disassembly or the use of tools to get it there, at the same time it only adds 6 lbs. to the weight of the buggy and cost less than any option that would give this flexibility.

I have plans to perhaps extend the wheelbase back 5" or so, kind of like the original flexi wide axle but not as much to again make it to the limits of size (and weight) for transport, but that's another day.

I also added the Peter Lynn XR+ seat to lower the center of gravity, I go the seat from Dino of Dakites (plug) and it seems to fit really well. I'll post some pics here and look forward to comments from you all.



http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy201/apextech1/DSC_0573....



http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy201/apextech1/DSC_0570....



http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy201/apextech1/DSC_0576....



http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy201/apextech1/DSC_0585....



http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy201/apextech1/DSC_0577....

WoW! another great thinking process....I like the fact that the original wide axle does extend the other way but to be able to shorten the width on a whim to fit into the van is a really cool ideal....Is that a peter lynn seat (older style)? How does that compare to a flexi original or newer PL seat. I'm getting a new harness from Rich and Rian (PLUG) @ East Coast Kite Sports...haha, so I can bend at the waist a little easier then my DaKine fusion (which I love). Was thinking of purchasing a PL seat to help me sit a little lower and have all the straps go over the pads on the side rails without a million zip ties. Looking forward to more ideas and pics....What are you going to name this thing since it has about 100 different parts on it and Frankenbuggys been taken.

CLUSTERBUGGY!

BEC: can you send a link for the newer style PL seat as I cant seem to find it. The difference between the current seat (older PL, you say) and the Flexi seat is that the PL seat sits much lower in the bug taking advantage of the Flexi high side rails. As for harnesses, I've been using the Dakine Nitrious (boardshort) harness for three years now for both buggy and water kiting, might take a look at it, not the most stylish, but certainly gets the job done.

The only thing yet to be seen with this axle setup is at the beach and what part sand, saltwater w/ sand plays on the ability to move the axles back and forth, I have plans to seal the junctions with something, to date I dont know what that will be, wide rubber bands perhaps?

As for a name Clusterbuggy is good, I was leaning toward something not as eloquent like FlexiLynn or maybe just the Apex Special.

Van made me a replacement seat for my flexi.... Top Quality.... and can modify it to your needs. Give him a holler. For that matter, he is set up to make custom buggy parts.

How about the Flex-Apex?
Yeah, Van does fabricate and sew some awesome creations! I'm almost happy with the stock flexi seat except for the webbing that just barely fits over the side rails..I hate having to slit foam and tape/zip tie it to stay on...Doesn't look great either.

Kent at a Wind of Change has a picture of a PL seat on his web page that looks a little different then the one in your pic. However that could just be because I can only view from one direction. He's also launching a new product that was really cool. Similar to the back rest you made from PVC only in stainless steel. (another greet idea).

Apextech, how much rattle do you have with this axle? Have you hammered on it to see if the tubing ends hold up? Looks like a great option except for potential of a lot of rattle.

Roc: havent had it out yet, the clearance is @ .010-.015" probably will rattle if I left the ground and landed hard, but I wont cause I mainly just cruise my buggy. After the axle is loaded with my weight there is really nothing to rattle. The tube ends are filled 1/2 way (1.75") with the beefier SS pipe, combined wall thickness is @ .200 I hope thats strong enough, they were drilled trough and welded as I've seen done on 1/2 shafts for race car applications. there is 8" of pipe still inside the orig. axle when extended (so 8" out and 8" in) again thats 8" of combined wall of .200" I hope thats enough to carry the load, I was going to cut it down, and still may as its overkill, but if I do theres no going back so I'll probably just leave it.

The whole reason I did this was just to be able to put more power down without having to worry about upsetting the buggy, only time will tell if I was thinking in the right direction on this.

Sounds good to me. Get out there and run it through it's paces :wee: Us other nutty moders what to know how it works out!:D