I see Libre has a 4-wheel kite buggy. I know there must be a lot of opinions on 4-wheels....some pro, some con.

But, I was just wondering if anyone has taken something like a go-kart frame, put larger tires on it, and made modifications for steering/braking with your feet, and been successful at it?? Seems like it could work, but, then I'm outta my area right now. I would just like something that is stable on the ground. No intention of racing or jumping. Mainly driven accross fields and large parking lots.

Any knowledge on this out there?? :puzzled:

Lobo

HHHMMMM......of course leave the engine on the kart, then if the wind dies ur not out of luck!!!

modify the steering and there you go (sort of).;-)

His butt needs to be about a foot lower or he's outa there! Instant dlish UBE with that high COG.

Quote:

Originally posted by WELDNGOD modify the steering and there you go (sort of).;-)

are you joking, thats about as far as you could possibly be for any kind of four wheel buggy, you might as well use a babies pram

im no expert in buggies but you really just need to modify on the idea of a three wheeled one. low seat big wheels. i forgot of the other company that built one it was pretty cool. does any one have experience with a four wheeled buggy.

I've seen the libre one, but this is the first time I have see this version






[B]hardcore 4 - off-road kite buggy[/B]

The new extreme sport of kite buggying uses a large power kite to propel buggy 'pilots' around large open spaces. Hardcore 4 was designed to address the needs of the more advanced buggy pilot who wanted to explore rougher terrain.
It offers a higher level of quality over its competitors through the use of aluminium as the main chassis material, and additional features such as a disc brake. The prototype proved that the innovation featured in this design allows the boundaries of kite buggying to be pushed beyond their current limits.

http://www.4cdesign.co.uk/html/portfolio/hardcore4.html

One thing to keep in mind, is that 3-wheeled vehicles can actually be pretty stable; even equal to that of a four wheeler. I suspect alot of it has to do with people seing them as being analogous to 3-wheeled ATVs (most of which are too short, to narrow, and have too high and forward a CG to offer decent stability).

It's a simple relationship of cg height, track width between the two opposing wheels, and the distance of the cg from the opposing wheels that determines whether a trike flips or skids.

The truth is that most of the wide-axle buggies have a wide enough track and a low enough cg's (located very close to the midpoint between the two opposing wheels) to be as stable as a 4-wheeled counterpart. They might be a bit more prone to understeer than a four wheeler, but that's about it. On the flip side, they're mechanically simpler and lighter than a four wheeled equivalent (esp. since it seems that alot of buggies carry a good portion of their weight in wheels & tires).

This doesn't mean I wouldn't like to see work done on four wheeled buggies (or even reverse-trike buggies, for that matter), but I wouldn't put off buggying waiting for a four wheeler.

Quote:

Originally posted by popeyethewelder I've seen the libre one, but this is the first time I have see this version [B]hardcore 4 - off-road kite buggy[/B] The new extreme sport of kite buggying uses a large power kite to propel buggy 'pilots' around large open spaces. Hardcore 4 was designed to address the needs of the more advanced buggy pilot who wanted to explore rougher terrain. It offers a higher level of quality over its competitors through the use of aluminium as the main chassis material, and additional features such as a disc brake. The prototype proved that the innovation featured in this design allows the boundaries of kite buggying to be pushed beyond their current limits. http://www.4cdesign.co.uk/html/portfolio/hardcore4.html

Now yer talkin'!!! :wow: That's a pretty cool looking buggy. Seems it might be a little better if the rider was a little further up and leave some room behind him to carry something.....you know....lunch, or wife or girlfriend to fix lunch... Anyway, it's a start. Might want a board, or something hard under the butt and to protect the "jewels" from a half buried rock!! :alien:

Lobo :singing:

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashe One thing to keep in mind, is that 3-wheeled vehicles can actually be pretty stable; even equal to that of a four wheeler. I suspect alot of it has to do with people seing them as being analogous to 3-wheeled ATVs (most of which are too short, to narrow, and have too high and forward a CG to offer decent stability). It's a simple relationship of cg height, track width between the two opposing wheels, and the distance of the cg from the opposing wheels that determines whether a trike flips or skids. The truth is that most of the wide-axle buggies have a wide enough track and a low enough cg's (located very close to the midpoint between the two opposing wheels) to be as stable as a 4-wheeled counterpart. They might be a bit more prone to understeer than a four wheeler, but that's about it. On the flip side, they're mechanically simpler and lighter than a four wheeled equivalent (esp. since it seems that alot of buggies carry a good portion of their weight in wheels & tires). This doesn't mean I wouldn't like to see work done on four wheeled buggies (or even reverse-trike buggies, for that matter), but I wouldn't put off buggying waiting for a four wheeler.

Right. I'm sure a talented buggy driver could make a tri as safe and stable as a quad. I was actually just thinking more "homemade" "cheap" style by slightly adapting something already out there that is in more common supply than a buggy for a kiter.....such as the numerous extra frames left over from go-cart folks. Just seems like a good, inexpensive supply of frames....maybe add some bicycle or wheelbarrow tires and a little adapting??? You know, something you and I could put together in an evening or two for under $150, and know how to fix it, when needed, and easily get parts. This is for easy carting....not the flying and trick stuff, I'm thinking. Good input so far.

More???

Lobo :singing:

Of couse I'm b.s'n , but it was kinda funny. Harbour freight is sellin this P.O.S. The thing I remember about pedal cars as a kid, is they suck!

Quote:

Originally posted by WELDNGOD Of couse I'm b.s'n , but it was kinda funny. Harbour freight is sellin this P.O.S. The thing I remember about pedal cars as a kid, is they suck!

Heck, now ya tell me!! I drove 50 miles and back yesterday to pick one up at Harbour Freight, got it halfway cut up and adapted. You mean, you don't think it'll work. Well ssssshhhhooooooo! Us newbies ain't got a chance on this forum. I come looking for good advice....and.....well....maybe I'll just weld it all back together and take it back. I'll just tell them I left it out in the sun too long and it rotted in some places. I'm sure they'll take it back.

Be careful WELDNGOD.....we is innocent niave newbies. I'm having to watch out for you :evil: in almost every post I make. You got a baaaaad streak in you somewhere. Was yer mama mean to you, or somthin???

Lobo :singing:

I have worked in shipyards since I was eighteen. It ain't easy being my helper , but you will get good real fast ... or quit!

Yeah.....workin' in a shipyard all your life will put a mean streak in ya....ha! I bet you can weld anything man can imagine.....maybe even ripstop!!

Seriously, I've enjoyed your posts....and joking around with ya!

Lobo :singing:

I am just a newbie so laugh all you want but I built my own buggy. It is a 4-wheeler because I couldn't figure out how to do it another way. It only cost around $50 and it works! I have used it on grass and in a parking lot and it worked on both surfaces although better in the parking lot. I sit pretty upright and the length is a little short for my legs but I didn't spend much money. I bought the 10 inch wheels from habor freight for about $5 a piece and designed it around them. I am currently looking for bigger wheels and still want to try it on sand. I will try to attach a pic. The seat is a cheap boat seat. Someday I will do better but for now I got the love but not the money.

Stetson05
1.0? HQ
3.5 Imp trainer in the shop
5.0 Blaze

Now yer talking, stetson!! I like it!!! Nothing like good ole American ingenuity! Thanks for sharing that!

What did you use for axle's?? I know it ain't complicated, but send more info. I just might make me one. If ya could find some decent bicycle wheels or such (maybe at the junkyard), you could get up a little more off the ground....then again, that might not be what ya need.

Anyway,....cool! The fancy buggy's are, I'm sure, nicer and can hold up to a real beating, but I just want to ease around the field, or parking lot, myself.

Send more info!

Thanks!!

Lobo :singing:

4 +1 = UBER BUGGY


deep rooted and as much as I tryed to.. it won't go over frickin rock soild except the shocks needs higher rated than the 350s

Shoot!! KYTE SLINGER, I can't get the picture to show. I want to see it....waaaaah :o

Lobo :singing:

Hey Lobo it is the same bugy as his avtar but without the chopper front end.

Susan (npw goddess)

Hmmmm....it shows up at home....guess I'm not supposed to be looking at it at work????:puzzled:

Cool. You da man!

Lobo :singing:

Lobo,

I used 5/8 inch all thread. I got 2 36 inch pieces at Lowes and the bolts. The seat and where to put it was the trickiest part. My next buggy project I plan to try pvc for my son. Probably won't work but we will have fun making it.

Take off the wheels, put old skate blades, and you have an ice buggy Stetson. I built a similar one for ice for $29.00 and it worked fine.

Quote:

Originally posted by stetson05 Lobo, I used 5/8 inch all thread. I got 2 36 inch pieces at Lowes and the bolts. The seat and where to put it was the trickiest part. My next buggy project I plan to try pvc for my son. Probably won't work but we will have fun making it.

Good, Stetson....thanks for the info. I'm wondering about using a hand truck tires and frame I saw in Home depot today. Would take some revision, that's for sure, but a good frame. I like your, somewhat simple, buggy. Good job!!

Lobo :singing:

lobo bud, don't get the little 10" tires,they have some 13" dolly wheels. I had to weld 5 little gussets on each wheel . Because I ripped a rim right off the hub,doin power slides. Best to save you cash and get some 16" flexifoil extra wides, they are about 70 bucks apiece though. If you get dolly wheels ,go to e-bay and get some 1-3/8" flanged double sealed roller bearings. Then replace the low speed junk that comes with them.sweet..

Quote:

Originally posted by WELDNGOD lobo bud, don't get the little 10" tires,they have some 13" dolly wheels. I had to weld 5 little gussets on each wheel . Because I ripped a rim right off the hub,doin power slides. Best to save you cash and get some 16" flexifoil extra wides, they are about 70 bucks apiece though. If you get dolly wheels ,go to e-bay and get some 1-3/8" flanged double sealed roller bearings. Then replace the low speed junk that comes with them.sweet..

THANKS!! for the info WELDNGOD. You da man to guide the newbie. I appreciate it!

Lobo :singing:

Anytime Bro'

hey Lobo ! Feed the fever,buy a kite! You know you want to.. A really BIG ONE!

one so big they make you sign a waiver!;-)

Quote:

Originally posted by WELDNGOD one so big they make you sign a waiver!;-)

One so big.....you "waive" as you leave the county!!! Ha!!

Actually, I already have one of those...heh heh. I wonder what would happen (actually I think I know) if I hooked my paraglider on 30 meter lines!!! :o :o :o

If the wind was out of the south....I'd have to be sure I'd have my Visa (not my credit card) in my pocket....'cause I'm sure I'd land somewhere up in what we affectionately (really) call Yankee Land!!

Lobo :singing:

OH YEAH, the waiver:singing: