Hey, Does anyone know of a site for buggy building. I know they don't cost much but I would like to try to build me a home made gadget:wow: I have seen so many online. Any quick do's or dont's? Thanks.

If you look in the buggying forum on the RK site (not allowed to post the link to another forum on here), Popeye has a massive collection of pics of homebuilt buggies.

Also, catch up with art_lessing since he (either Dan or Doug, can't remember which one or both?) built their own buggies - they are in Sac as well.

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=4019
This is a link to popeyes collection have fun looking

Problem is, by the time you buy the proper rims/bearings, rubber, then the seat unless you can sew one, you're already up around $150-200, Then you need the material unless you've got a large scrap bin to pick through. There's been a number of decent buggies go through here used for the $300-400 range.

I spent about 150 bucks on mine and I am pretty happy with the way it turned out...mine is number 106 on Popeye's page...the thing is very heavy ...about 75 pounds, but its a pretty smooth ride

so the body and forks are made from 3/4 steel pipe fittings from home depot, fit threaded together, and welded, and the head and down tube are 1 1/4 steel pipe big enough to fit a bmx headset....

I had to press fit a bmx scooter forS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s neck piece, which I cut from the fork, into the 3/4 T fitting from home depot to make the forks fit the headset... ......the drop out "fins" I cut, shaped and welded to the forS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s legs.......

The back axle is a piece of 3/4 inch X by 5 ft. steel bar that maintains a bit of springyness (I've even let very large people ride it and its solid.) The back wheels are wheel barrow wheels with 3/4 in bearings from a place in town called Blue Collar Supply..they carry all kinds of stuff for making all kinds of stuff..they carry the bearings for 1.50 each...then the front axle is an axle I mail ordered from a minibike supply company. Its a 5/8 inch axle with aircraft nuts...Blue Collar Supply also sells the straps for the seat webbing ....two straps and a buckle for 1.50...super cheap.....and the pads are water-noodles and black and red duct tape...thats it....I welded it all together and zoooom

it was my first welding project and seriously fun to build but also labor intensive...its a great feeling to zoom around on something you built..

I made several sketches and drawings with a few measurements for planning....however when it came time to actually build it, all of the plans changed up a bit during the process...but the end result is good. The thing is very stable the wheels don't wobble and I have gone pretty fast...I am new so 25mph seems really fast to me...

My advice is thus...do it. Just make a plan and do it. I wanted a project too and was going to build a boat or something and this project totally did it for me. If you want to race or freestyle get a professionally built buggy. But if you just want a buggy, or need a buggy just to cruise down the beach or grass by all means build it yourself and get creative......just remember to keep the back axle wide 5 feet or more and the seat low for stability and side pull support.....and if it doesn't work just keep tinkering away with it till its perfect......

do it!

DQ

here you go

http://pic7.piczo.com/Popeyethewelder/?g=33349545

and for some ideas

http://pic7.piczo.com/Popeyethewelder/?g=41859403&cr=7 Arts is on this page

Thanks guys very much! I am going to just buy one Chadvicki has one. Thanks again.