Kids ground up Buggy Build
 

My boy is 20 months today so it time for his first buggy.nothing fast just something fun to play with.
We have an old power wheels that need motors that im taking the steering wheel,seat and wheels off of.For the motor my dad gave me a push mower with a 5.5 brigs,it has a trans axle thats belt drive.so it will go a little faster than a walk at top speed.
I have a old gazebo that i have cut up for the tube its very thin but the buggy wont be very heavy or go fast so I think it will be fine.

He loves to work on things and he took a wheel off by his self.

I found so old dirt bike tires on the side of the road,i cut the side walls off and screwed them to the wheel.Yes i will redo that one so it looks better lol.
The wheels were 14'' and the ruber made them a lot taller!

Ok so to the good part!I built the frame on cad and i think the fastest way to build it is to do it in sections.
This is the floor of the cab and bumper.

This is the hood and dash,and the rear hoop or back bumper.

When i started the argon was at 1% so at this point it ran out.So i did some riged up mock up to see what it will look like and to get him in it to see how tall to make the roof.

Awesome ... don't ever lose those pics!

Not a bad start for the first day.I will keep updating as I get time to do more.
I have to pull the carb off the mower and clean it and get that thing a part.
I plan on having the clutch inside as the peddle for him to make it go and the throttle will be outside in the back so he cant get to wile driving.Im thinking of using the e break leaver off the old carter 150 for the kill switch,becouse it will lock open and it will be in back by the throttle were I can get to it.
let me know what yall think and if you have any ideas.

Thinks and yea ive got lots more pic i did not post,its been fun.

Great project , the boy along side is always the best of times. I remember My dad and I building my first Cart , those things I never want to forget.

i've got the old struts/spindles and a-arms and rear swingarm, two 12" mech. shocks that need bushings from the mini shark along with a front and rear tire on rims (one's splined, the other's smooth bore) yours for the shipping if you want them.

X-bird he could use the old Mini shark rear motor cage you have and i still have the Loncin 50cc motor . If he payes the shipping we got the parts!

Thanks a lot guys for the offer!I had thought about building shocks for it becouse I think its to light for any coil overs,but I may just build it ridged.As for the motor I think the mower will work well becouse the trans axle is geared very low and should have a ton of torque with the 5.5hp and still go very slow.Ill try this for now and see how it goes,the trans axle may not hold up and if not ill look in to the parts yall have offered.
Thanks again guys and thanks for the replies.

Its funny how dads with Parts react when someone is building something for thier kid !
Ya thats right im a sucker.
Its something you just dont get unless you have a kid, When you see thier face and they are tearing it up in the yard, Just one of the best fellings in the world.

He loves to ride in the big buggy.The day it was ready to test drive he and I were home alone so i put the car seat in and we went for a ride.He was 6 days old so hes been a buggy his hole life,he never gets scared no bump to big or no ride to long for him.

Wow that sounds bad now to put a 6 day old in a buggy.But I always went slow and wached his head and all.But now hes good with what ever(with in reason).

Looking good- reckon the little guy will let you help build it?!!!! Your game plan sounds solid- especially for his age, I agree a rigid chassis is best for now to get the steering thing mastered. I love your re-cap idea!!(that would've saved me a few $'s back when I did this same type build)

idk studman hes let me do a little lol.
The recap was just luck,I was going to buy bicycle tires but at $10 each.So $40 for four just to cover plastic wheels.We were riding by the house and seen some had dumped about 10 dirt bike tires so I had my pick.
They are hard to put on though,ive only put one on so far and I have to redo it.I think ill use some kind of glue next time it will make the tire slide around to line up better.

Don't know if you're aware of it or not, but they sell rubber covers for those tires -- makes a world of difference.

yea but these things have some big knobs and so far this build has been free.

I got some more done tonight.Got the seat mounts in and drilled,pedal rail(will be ajustable)hood pillers and back half.I have the roof and hood done also but ill wait to put them on until the steering pedals and floor pan go in.
I may start the steering next,looks like it will be a roller before long.

Nice build, can't wait to see it rolling.

Thanks I have 4 months before his birthday,it should be going before then.
i have 3 hours a day and all day most weekends to work on it.Im keeping up with hours on this build and Im at 15 hours now,I started feb 12th so not to bad.
I got front spindles and clutch peddle done tonight Ill try to get pics up soon.

Its taking shape now,all most finish with frame only bracing,motor mounts and rear end left.A few odds and ends left,holes to drill,clutch peddle and body panels.Oh yea Ill fix the tube sticking out in the door and add a brace across it to keep him from falling out.

I cant get good pics with it on the table but Ill get more with it out side or on the floor before long.
Not bad for about 25 hours work!

Looking good !

Looks like it is coming together nicely, Great job!!

Coming along nicely, he's gonna have fun with his new buggy.