@MeuselRacing I didn't ever measure it, and I forget the chain drive ratio and maximum ratio of the torque converter (continuously variable transmission). But if i had to hazard a guess, I'd say we went about 60kmh before the bumpiness and lack of open space made us slow down. The same motor would probably be capable of getting it to higher speeds with different gearing, but not as quickly. Even 125cc engines can rocket motorycles to insane speeds - eventually.
Great simple little buggy. Mine had a YZF450 engine with a bit more bracing. It was fast but now i have a Pirhana with a GSXR750 thats awesome. When the kids get a little older i will build the same thing you have here for them. Great vid.
@hyster16t I bet the YZF engine made it go! But there's only so much power that you can comfortably use without suspension. The Honda motor was pretty grunty, but sometimes the tyres would get a bounce going, and planting the foot just made it worse. You'd have to back off, wait for it to settle down and then accelerate smoothly. I guess that's why the Pirahna is so popular. The suspension soaks all that up and lets you just go like stink, without the bounce - plus handle bumpy terrain.
@tristanbadger Yeah it was a bit over powered but hey it was a great fun. What tyre pressure did you run? I had 8psi so it would get a bounce going but i could just gas it and get the tyres to egg up and it would stop though it did have a bit more power than yours might have had, not suitable for the young fella driving yours.
@XplosionNo1 That's correct. The axles are fixed in relation to the chassis. The big bouncy tyres are supposed to provide a bit of comfort, and I'd usually put a piece of foam on the hard fibreglass seat. Otherwise it's just whatever God gave you in the caboose, and I'm a bit bony back there. Some of The Edge's other more complex designs feature a swingarm and independent front suspension, but the Taipan is meant to be pretty simple.
@TheMrsebyo I bought the rolling chassis, motor, seat, harness as an unfinished project for AU$1100 (bargain compared to the cost of the parts themselves, considering a single rear tyre is $100), then spent probably another $1000 to get the torque converter, bonnet, layshaft, drive and axle sprockets and bosses, brake system and various other parts from The Edge. Then there was some effort involved in putting it together, so whether you call that a "cost" or "entertainment" is up to you.
Thanks, glassglowz. Your buggy looks fun too! The Edge designs are pretty well thought out - I'm sure you came across many of those design considerations when you built your buggy - but making it all work is half the fun! : )
it looks a bit "light on" for leg room. Can a adult sit in it easily without cramped legs, etc ? I'm thinking about building one.
The5cans 6 months ago
Max speed with that engine in there?
MeuselRacing 8 months ago
@MeuselRacing I didn't ever measure it, and I forget the chain drive ratio and maximum ratio of the torque converter (continuously variable transmission). But if i had to hazard a guess, I'd say we went about 60kmh before the bumpiness and lack of open space made us slow down. The same motor would probably be capable of getting it to higher speeds with different gearing, but not as quickly. Even 125cc engines can rocket motorycles to insane speeds - eventually.
tristanbadger 8 months ago
Great simple little buggy. Mine had a YZF450 engine with a bit more bracing. It was fast but now i have a Pirhana with a GSXR750 thats awesome. When the kids get a little older i will build the same thing you have here for them. Great vid.
hyster16t 9 months ago
@hyster16t I bet the YZF engine made it go! But there's only so much power that you can comfortably use without suspension. The Honda motor was pretty grunty, but sometimes the tyres would get a bounce going, and planting the foot just made it worse. You'd have to back off, wait for it to settle down and then accelerate smoothly. I guess that's why the Pirahna is so popular. The suspension soaks all that up and lets you just go like stink, without the bounce - plus handle bumpy terrain.
tristanbadger 9 months ago
@tristanbadger Yeah it was a bit over powered but hey it was a great fun. What tyre pressure did you run? I had 8psi so it would get a bounce going but i could just gas it and get the tyres to egg up and it would stop though it did have a bit more power than yours might have had, not suitable for the young fella driving yours.
hyster16t 9 months ago
no suspension?
XplosionNo1 1 year ago
@XplosionNo1 That's correct. The axles are fixed in relation to the chassis. The big bouncy tyres are supposed to provide a bit of comfort, and I'd usually put a piece of foam on the hard fibreglass seat. Otherwise it's just whatever God gave you in the caboose, and I'm a bit bony back there. Some of The Edge's other more complex designs feature a swingarm and independent front suspension, but the Taipan is meant to be pretty simple.
tristanbadger 1 year ago
how much did that cost you to build?
TheMrsebyo 1 year ago
@TheMrsebyo I bought the rolling chassis, motor, seat, harness as an unfinished project for AU$1100 (bargain compared to the cost of the parts themselves, considering a single rear tyre is $100), then spent probably another $1000 to get the torque converter, bonnet, layshaft, drive and axle sprockets and bosses, brake system and various other parts from The Edge. Then there was some effort involved in putting it together, so whether you call that a "cost" or "entertainment" is up to you.
tristanbadger 1 year ago
The buggy has now been sold. I hope the new owners are having as much fun as we had, more often than we did!
tristanbadger 2 years ago
Nice looking buggy. I picked up plans for a Trax 2 but I haven't built it yet. Check out my custom buggy when you get a chance.
glassglowz 2 years ago
Thanks, glassglowz. Your buggy looks fun too! The Edge designs are pretty well thought out - I'm sure you came across many of those design considerations when you built your buggy - but making it all work is half the fun! : )
tristanbadger 2 years ago