Reverse gear solution, please help

[nelson15]

Guys n Gals,
I am in the process of building an Edge products Piranha Buggy in Sydney Australia using a Honda VFR800 motor and I would really like to have a reverse fitted but I have a few questions & no-one to really answer them so I am hopeing I can find someone who is willing to share their personal experiences, pictures and videos on what works and what doesnt.

I like the option of a Jeffco or Quaife set up but cannot seriously justify the cost at this point in time so I would like to go down the path of a ring gear (flexplate) and starter motor type of set up or using an electric motor with a cable to engage.

For those of you who have used the ring gear and starter motor, what type of vehicle did you get these from? how did you go about working out the speed it would operate?

Same questions as above but for an electric motor type set up?

Thanks in advance & I'm sure it is a question that has been asked many a time before but I hope someone can help me out please

[Shmeefer]

It has been asked many times, do a search and wade thru the posts. Here is one of the latest threads and I added a picture of Yoshi's setup which seems like the best way on a small buggy. There was also a discussion of someone (somewhere, may not have been here... maybe on locostusa.com) using a cordless drill setup that was slick, but obviously limited in use.

[nutz4sand]

I have this on here elsewhere but here it be again. I saw this setup and liked its layout better than the direct drive to the spool myself. Its easier on the starter and the battery and you can lower the ratio for a better controlled backup speed.

This way also gives you the chance to have better ground clearance. You can also enclose and oil Bathe the inside chain really easy.

The buggy pic is just to show the starter bolted to it. You can see the mounting holes in the other pics.

[atomicjoe23]

You know I would like some more info on this as well. . .very interesting solution to the problem of the high cost of the available reverse boxes.

[nutz4sand]

What kinda info? Its pretty straight forward so if you got a specific question pop it up.

[nelson15]

Thanks guys
I had a mechanic at work come up with an idea that may have some merit as well but having never seen it in operation I am unsure if it could really work, let me know your thoughts and if you have used this how effective is it.

If you get a planetary gear set from an automatic transmission rig it up so that when the carrier is being held it will reverse the drive shaft then to go forward hold the planetary gears and carrier.

Thoughts, questions or comments??

[nutz4sand]

A planetary out of a tranny seems like a good idea and in a way it is. It works in the car.

Heres the catch. To use it in a buggy you need to hold it solid. Transfer power in and out on shafts to sprockets (or however). Brake the appropriate parts with sufficent force. Lubricate it and keep dirt out. And make sure the ratio is workable to your situation. Its late and I am tired and may have forgotten some part.

But if you can do all that you may have something. Its easy to say it will work. To set it up and get it to transfer power is another matter. The little engineering details will surprise yah.

Easy reverse is something we all would love. IF you could make it work you would have a hot seller.

Just an old fart from Florence Oregon

This way above is not to shaggy BUT its more for a trailing arm car. The A-arms of a Pirahana do not allow enough room for it really unless you widen it a bit (two seater maybe?) in between the A-arm mounts.

Thats why I posted the pics of the skinny starter reverse setup above. It would fit in a rear A-arm car.

[Shmeefer]

Just saw this post on locostusa.com... F/R chain-to-shaft box out of an Allison-Chalmers rotobaler. It's light on info but could be a possible cheap reverse solution for bike-engined buggies, though it is more useful for locosts due to the shaft output and packaging would be challenging. Just goes to show you, there could be a good solution that no one has found yet.

[nutz4sand]

Def a neat find Shmeefer. I would like to see it in action on youtube maybe. I share the same thoughts as to how well it would hold up. The one guy claims his buddy pulls with it in 3-4 gears and that IS a heavy load.

But prolonged highspeed runs may be different? It might deal with it fine. They used to make stuff good in those days usually.

I do have to admit I have never seen a baler quite like that they got it out of either. I will show that pic to a few local farmers. See if there are any hiding in or behind some barns. So I can peek at one in person.