new, need help and ideas

[seanblv]

hey there everyone, im sean from las vegas, nv. just got interested in the whole mini buggy thing, coming from offroad trucks and mild build prerunners. looking to start a project buggy, most likely a rorty r82s or something similar, possibly a home-brew. i plan on running a 98-2001 yamaha r1 motor, i have a 2003 r1 street bike, and i love the torque down low that motor makes compared to the new one, and the 98-01 is basically the same, minus fuel injection. im definitely on a budget, but everyone whos ever had a project knows how that goes, haha. i just dont want to go completely broke building this. i need to know what to expect to use for brakes, front and rear, axles, steering racks, drive carriers, how much to expect in parts and what not. also, if theres any good STRONG substitutes for super high end parts. sorry for the book. but i need to learn alot about independant rear suspensions!!! thanks in advance. -sean

[ultraman]

Welcome seanblv, just do a search on any topic you want. There is a wealth of knowledge on here.Just sift thru the bs

[Gene]

Buy the R16 Shotgun plans - it comes with both metric and US measurements. You will get a complete parts list with suppliers. Also you get top notch support from Rorty including files from him (upon request) that you can provide a laser cutter.

The R82 is great too. The R16 is the latest and greatest.

[seanblv]

is it possible to make rorty cars as chain drive, like yoshis cars are, i want to keep it simple and cost effective, those gear boxes seem expensive as shit, or am i wrong?

[Rorty]

Welcome seanblv!

The R16 Shotgun comes with a chain drive unit if you don't feel like shelling out on a reverse box, though I can highly recommend one. You could always fit the RPM box at a later date.

The trouble with Yoshi's (and others') chain drives is the sprocket hangs down below the bottom of the chassis. That's probably not too big a problem in the dunes (if you don't count accelerated chain and sprocket wear), but if you take your buggy to the desert or woods etc., you could end up wiping out the chain, sprocket and probably more if you hit a rock or tree root with it.

The chain drive included in the Shotgun manual leaves nothing protruding below the chassis.

If you want the chain and sprocket hanging down, I think there are one or two companies selling just such a kit which would be easily adaptable to the R82s or Shotgun chassis.

[seanblv]

about what to expect as far as build time and cost on a shotgun car?
i know theres variables, but ive found motors for about 1000, how much for all the other parts, not including lights, gauges? most likely using fox airshox as well, not coilovers. -sean

[Rorty]

I would PM Dune and/or Biklomen as they've both built the R82s recently and both are in the US so they should be able to give current figures.

[yoshi]

Originally Posted by Rorty\";p=\&quot

Welcome seanblv!

The trouble with Yoshi's (and others') chain drives is the sprocket hangs down below the bottom of the chassis.

Actually, I set mine up above my frame to protect it...

[Rorty]

My apologies Yoshi and seanblv, I should have checked before I posted - I just had an image of a very large rear sprocket in my mind and assumed it hung down.

[yoshi]

Originally Posted by Rorty\";p=\&quot

My apologies Yoshi and seanblv, I should have checked before I posted - I just had an image of a very large rear sprocket in my mind and assumed it hung down.

Most people do to keep the travel, but I run plunging u-joint axles machined to 40 degrees so I can raise my sprocket up about 4 or so inches higher than most people do....