I recently bought a Windspeed Pro Ivanpah buggy built by A Wind of Change Kites (go Kent!!).

The guy bought it in 2008 and over the past 12 years he made many modifications. Most significantly he added a mast to make it into a Land Sailer and he cut the axle into thirds so that it would fit in his trailer.


I already have a Land Sailer so I have no plans to use this as a full time Land Sailer. The plates and mast foundation have significant weight and the height of the mast foundation would cause problems when using as a buggy since it is 2 ft higher than the buggy.

I thought you like enjoy seeing a few pics of how he modified the buggy for the mast. Notice that he welded an extension at an angle onto the neck so that the mast was not RIGHT in his face.


















When he cut the rear axle he also changed it from 62" to 77" end to end. 86" outside to outside of the 6-ply trailer tires that I usually run. I like the length and cutting down into three pieces is very helpful for transportation!








Here is a close-up of the axle. In the bottom left corner is the end of the axle that is installed into the axle attached to the wheels in the pic. It is held in place with a clip that can be seen in the pics above.


This thing is wide and extremely heavy! Not fun to try to lift it to store on the ceiling in the garage!

Paul

Nice! At least you have a garage. I do enjoy pictures of earth moving equipment. :D It does look heavy but imagine the power you can hold down and I would be utilizing that mast base as the perfect filming rig.

Pretty strong and rigid!!

Did you cut the down tube at the part where it goes into the sidebars and changed the angle so that the buggy sits more upright?
Does this mean your kitebuggy days are over in this bug?

What a beast.

I have my Apexx lifted to the ceiling with two bike hoists. I'm a little over their weight rating but no problems for 9 years. It's easy and drama free to lift it up or let it down. Nice to have it hanging at chest to waist high for maintenance.

I removed the extension on the neck and am working with BuggyBags to get replacement side cushions, back cushions and backrest cushion (all in black).

Also getting a splash guard in black.

Here is what it currently looks like. No more mast and no more extension on the neck. Plus, all the blemishes are painted!

I painted the footpegs black, but their first use rubbed enough paint that there is now yellow peeking through.

Once I get a job were I can use a sand-blaster, I will remove all the paint and get the whole thing powder coated. But, until then...spray paint!






For those that have an interest in the buggies hanging in the garage (the Land Sailer is stashed in the shed). Front is the Ivanpah, back left is the PL suspension buggy, back right is the Libre Full Race:


Paul

Nice...!!!!

You can really appreciate the sheer length of that rear axle from this new angle. Will you be replacing the Ivanpah lettering?
Looking tons better btw. :D

Agree with RedSky - that rear axle goes on for miles! Nice job iPaul with all the work to date.

Quote: Originally posted by RedSky

Will you be replacing the Ivanpah lettering? :D

I removed all the lettering from the neck and the right side rear axle.

As much as I would have liked to leave them on, I don't suspect they would be easy to replace.

After the BuggyBag cushions and splash guard I will be figuring out how to rig a tandem. Similar design to my last but the solid mounting points on the Ivanpah will be the challenge.

Paul

I ordered new side and rear cushions from BuggyBag as well as a splash guard.

I though you might like to see the latest:




















Since I love the ram mount system I added a channel on the vertical and then filled the two holes the previous owner added to the side with two b-balls secured with threaded rod.
I am not sure I will keep them all...


I'll post the buggy rack that I made as well to help get YOUR creative juices flowing

Paul

I built a rack for the Ivanpah using a Thule Rak-n-Lok PN #938 that was originally a bike rack.


I removed the top piece, removed the bike rack sections, shortened the top tube and then installed on the base of the rack to give me a place to hold the axle.

The hitch was shortened 4" to reduce the amount of cantilevered weight on the hitch. The removed piece was added to the bottom of the rack to provide even more strength (see the first pic and notice that the two tubes are just minimally welded together). I wanted the rack overbuilt so that I have the option of carrying two buggies!


1.75" perforated tubing was added to the vertical tube as a way to hold the buggy upright. so I can attach the buggy upright.





And I made it so that the rack tilts to allow access to the back of the car.


I added 1.50" perforated tubing and cut wheel trays to the horizontal surface to hold the axle. There are gaps between the trays because the axle bracket and bolts extend past the axle. It also allows for the three piece axle to be fully constructed for transport!


Paul

Great job!
Buggybags always comes through with the goods. I read somewhere, probably here that BB's is winding down. I really hope this is not the case and that I dreamt it.
I particularly like the rack as I could really use one of those myself.

Well played iPaul, well played. Now that's the way you add to a thread!

Good looking make over Paul, your carrier is awesome
enjoy your toys. best regards Randy

pretty dam cool