Backrest - part..?

I've lost count at how many variations I have tried, this one is completely new and sitting in the buggy in the garage is very comfortable!

My original back rest...

Some fence T fixings and 25mm PVC pipe...

Clamped in place...

Too easy...

With the padding...

The buggy and kites are loaded in the back of the ute ready for a roll out tomorrow.

An unexpected skill...

I went shopping at a place I would normally avoid, bought a few items and then got out a machine I wouldn't usually touch and ended up (after a few issues and with some unexpected and sometimes unwanted help!) producing something I was very pleased with...

My first edge was a bit of a disaster, not sure I had the machine set up right...

Then got a bit better, wasn't entirely straight but it does the job...

then I got some unexpected and not particularly wanted help...

I managed to get all four edges hemmed (I even speaka da lingo!)

then started to attach the two strips of velcro...

Some more help, or just quality control..?

the finished article...

From this...

to this, the new padding on my buggy back rest...

Buggy Love...

As part of my ongoing buggy maintenance programme, Sunday, I replaced the padding on my back rest. As the old stuff had worn a bit thin...

The padding is made from a swimming pool noodle (thanks kids!), I also adjusted the back rest position slightly...

And repositioned my trusty kite ground stake on the rail...

This week my new bearings should arrive and I will install and grease them. The new front tyre is on - so the buggy will be as good as new, ready for the spring weather to sort itself out!

Tinkering...

I have just been playing around with my backrest - I had noticed some holes in my buggy bag from the u-bolts that stick up. I did think about trying to cover them with some padding (as I patched the holes in the buggy bag with duct tape!).

But in the end I decided to take the back rest off completely and bolt it underneath the side frame, this meant the exposed bolts were now pointing downwards...

This is actually more comfortable as the back rest now sits slightly lower and is more of a lumbar support, so it has a double benefit.

I have also been looking at ways of securing my ground stake as I sometimes stick it on top of the buggy bag under the straps, but it has come off a few times and I have had to hunt around the lake for it! It comes with a convenient holder that is supposed to be strapped to your leg - so I have used this to attach to the side frame out of the way of the kite lines...

Everything is loaded up, the fingers are crossed for the wind foretasted for tomorrow morning to still be blowing and a bit stronger wouldn't go amiss! But you can't have everything...

Review - Customised Peter Lynn Comp XR+

Over the last couple of months my humble Peter Lynn Comp xr+ has under-gone a transformation and grown! I have previously reviewed it as a standard buggy - now for my opinion on the super-sized version...

standard Peter Lynn Comp XR+

My buggy now has the Peter Lynn 140cm gigastrong axle, longer and stronger side rails, a custom made back rest and 6 ply highway rated radial tyres on the back.

beefed!

Compared to one of my previous buggies of lust, the Sysmic S2 it is a very similar size (length and width) and has the same sought of footprint, but overall it is still a lot lighter in weight despite the modifications. The heaviest addition is the gigastrong axle as this is much thicker as well as longer.

gigastrong!

The side frame extensions have also added some extra height to the frame allowing me to lower the standard PL seat while still having a reasonable clearance under my butt! This means I sit lower between the frames and am able to wedge myself in more.

And the custom back rest and cover (made by my wife) provide that extra support which makes the overall experience much more comfortable - no more back ache after a couple of hours in the bug.

Overall these modifications, along with the new rear tyres, have made the buggy feel much more stable. I am now able to block myself against the side rails and the overall feel of the buggy enables me to hold down more power. And rather than that power translating into sideways slippage the buggy tracks forwards better - I think this has enabled me to increase my speed and also the upwind performance.

The new rear tyres are less likely to slide on the surface of the lake and this has also helped. With a slight shift of my weight I am still able to un-stick the rear end either to scrub speed or power slide - but it did take a bit of getting used to.

I am really pleased with how the buggy is handling and the comfort side of it and I am so glad now that I didn't spend a couple of grand on something else (the mods so far have cost about $400). I'm not saying in the future I wont want to upgrade but some of the other production buggies are a lot heavier than my comp xr+.

Sewing - part deux!

We bought some rip-stop nylon and some Velcro and my wife made me an awesome cover for the back rest - in Peter Lynn blue...

No Wind

Yesterday there was no or very little wind in the morning so no buggying for me. I did go out and find 11 geocaches - which kept me out of trouble!

The wind did pick up in the afternoon, but that is the time the land-yachts are down there.

The forecast for the week is for decent easterlies - I am hoping I may get at afternoon/evening session in and that it lasts into the weekend.

I think I have made some progress with a back rest - unfortunately I was unable to find the parts I needed at either Bunnings or Masters to DIY it. But found a local Engineering Firm, Crisp Engineering who responded to an email on Sunday and said they would be able to make something - just waiting to see how much and may have a chat to see if they can do anything with the side rails.