When I got into buggying, I mentioned to my kids that maybe one day I'd get something to pull them around in so they could ride along. Ever since, my oldest daughter (age 7) has regularly asked when I'm going to get the "buggy-pull-behind-thing." With that in mind about 2 months ago I decided that my next purchase would be parts to assemble a tandem. My enjoyment of kiting has kind of gotten to where its a me-thing and I felt like I wanted it to be an us-thing, so I could feel like my family could participate rather than just watch.

I went on a search for parts and once again, Van came to the rescue and offered to sell me some unpainted prototype parts: a seat, rails, rear axle, and 2 wheels all for an incredibly reasonable price (actually an absolutely awesome price) entirely based on his desire to "get the kids riding." He expressed how much his son enjoyed it, so he really wanted to help out... Goes to show you how awesome of a guy he really is.

Here's the funny part. He told me he was going to give me a seat that was better than the buggy I already had and that I'd probably end up building myself a bug around it and making my XR into the tandem.... I thought "nah, I'm happy with what I have..." Until it started to come together. He was right. I assembled what he had with the downtube and fork of my XR and thought it was just too awesome, a little high up, but still awesome. So with some help from Van and some additional welding, I made a swan neck downtube with the same bearing set up as the XR and used its front fork and I present to you: The XR-VTT hybrid



But the point here is the tandem right? I had already fabbed up the down tube for the tandem so I just hooked it up to my XR parts and made up the hitch with a piece of 2" flat bar, U-bolts, a 4" x 1/2" bolt, a piece of 3/4" tube and a wing nut.



And here it is all together.



Since it was all finished, I did the big reveal to the girls and they seem to approve.





I've already recognized one thing I need to change and that is the foot pegs on the tandem. They need to be adjustable and where they are now they run into the tires of the towing bug on a sharper turn. I have a plan for that and will post pics when it's ready.

Spencer

Very nice set-up, I've been wanting a tandem rig for a while as well. Be sure to take some video of it in action!

Wow, go right to the head of the class...

Frankin'Awsome!

Very sweet spence. I can't wait go see it. Your new buggy looks awsome. You made the right choice and have a sweet machine. We will have to get the kids out some weekend and let them have some fun

Quote:

Originally posted by knkmannthey Very sweet spence. I can't wait go see it. Your new buggy looks awsome. You made the right choice and have a sweet machine. We will have to get the kids out some weekend and let them have some fun

We'll do that Kevin!

Thanks for the compliments everyone!

Once I make the adjustment to the foot pegs I'll post some new pics.

Job well done...thunmbs up

all looks good. glad you were able to use the parts. I and my tandem footpegs same way as the rail clamp with the two plates and four bolts. that way you can slide them on the tandem tube.

Quote:

Originally posted by van all looks good. glad you were able to use the parts. I and my tandem footpegs same way as the rail clamp with the two plates and four bolts. that way you can slide them on the tandem tube.

Thanks Van, sounds very similar to what I have in mind,... I plan on welding it up tonight. This all would not have been possible without your help, so many uber big thanks to you for all of your hard work, and advice.

Thanks Popeye, I appreciate the compliment!

Looks good. What about cutting the excess off the top of the u-bolts and maybe putting some dome nuts (or nylocks) on to eliminate any line catching/leg bruising spots? I did a similar setup on mine and also found a bit of garden hose over the upright post/pin stopped a bit of wobble and noise where the eye bolt moves up and down. I think I also used either a leather or nylon washer above and under the eye bolt to eliminate a bit of 'clunS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K- too.

Lots of squealing to come from the back seat methinks......

Great suggestions John,... I hadn't thought of the lines catching on the ends of the u bolts.

I used the 3/4" tube as the upright piece so there would be ease of movement,... I hadn't considered using nylon though, that's a good idea

Wow that is awesome!!

Ok, so I finally got the adjustable foot pegs put together,...

I was thinking about this and was concerned after the first round of photos about the girls not understanding the possible implications of putting their feet down while in motion. With that, I decided to make the under style stirrup like straps out of some seatbelt material I was recently given. I had a 3' long piece which I chopped up to make the straps. The unit is fastened in place with another U-bolt with wing nuts to make it more easily adjustable.



And here's what it looks like in place.



With FEET!



The straps don't seem to do a whole lot, so I'm not sure they were worth the trouble, so I may end up removing them,... Or I might flip it over so the straps are the over the foot style... Any thoughts?

Very Nice! for kids I would run a skirt from the foot pegs back to the seat or even under and to the back of the seat. hate to see little feet end up under the seat

Well done .... Now you cam have some buggy videos with you cameraman on back ....

Quote:

Originally posted by MDK Very Nice! for kids I would run a skirt from the foot pegs back to the seat or even under and to the back of the seat. hate to see little feet end up under the seat

Good idea Mark,... I might do that,... Their safety is my biggest concerns.

@ Kober.... Right on!