Kestrel Buggy Rodification

[Tony Z]

I think pictures expire after a while. Not sure though, check with Eben.
Use photobucket and they remain permanently

[piesang]

I think pictures expire after a while. Not sure though, check with Eben.
Use photobucket and they remain permanently

also using photobucket and have no problems

[Retro13]

Thanks guys, will do some investigating and give it a bash.

[Retro13]

Just a quick update on the Buggy Rod...

Haven't done too much on the old girl recently but have at least managed to get the pan back home, so the rebuild will commence shortly.
In the meantime I've been buying and collecting various bits and bobs; with one of the biggest hurdles being overcome: tyres.

Wanting to go with a big 'n little look, I plumped for a set of Smart car Contis for the front and set of 205 section Dunlop Sports for the rear.

Takkies 4 (Medium).JPG

Takkies 5 (Medium).JPG

I then took the tyres through to Raymond in Alrode, where he performed his magic and vulcanised a strip of white rubber to the outer walls. After hearing (and seeing) horror stories with white wall inserts, I decided that this was the best option for me. He first bonds a backing strip to the tyre which prevents the oils in the fresh rubber from penetrating through into the top white rubber layer, which can cause unsightly yellowing. I think the result is pretty epic.

Takkies 1 (Medium).JPG

Takkies 2 (Medium).JPG

Takkies 3 (Medium).JPG

I've seen a lot of his work on cars that regularly appear at the Piston Ring club and it looks to be very long lasting. One pink Type 1 that I saw there featured a set of his white walls that had been done more than three years ago (if I can remeber correctly) and they still looked new. If you're looking for a set of white walls and you can't afford the real things (like me) drop him a line on 082 930 6410. The whole job (excluding tyres) cost me 860 sheckles.

Now I must get the rims blasted and repaired; then zap them with a coat of red. Should look pretty sweet with some rechromed hubcaps.

Stay tuned...

[Pine]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH that looks goooooood!

[snoeckie]

Cool idea looks great

[Harry Jones]

Nice one ...going to look good !! are you using standard beetle steel rims ? does a 145 fit on a standard rim ??? and are you widening the back ones for the 215 tyres ... ? Going to look classic in Red with the white walls ....please post pics once the rims and tyres are done !!

[Pine]

does a 145 fit on a standard rim ???

Shouldn't be a problem - this is my space saver 125 tyre on a standard rim

[Retro13]

Nice one ...going to look good !! are you using standard beetle steel rims ? does a 145 fit on a standard rim ??? and are you widening the back ones for the 215 tyres ... ? Going to look classic in Red with the white walls ....please post pics once the rims and tyres are done !!

Hi Harry. Yes, I'm using standard wide 5 Beetle rims, with the back ones widened to take the 205s. I did quite a bit of research regarding the front tyres and found the Smart car tyres to be the perfect size for what I wanted. A lot of guys in the UK run with this setup and it looks awesome. I can't wait to see how it will look once I've mounted it all up and wound the front adjusters right down. Should be good for gas mileage, going downhill all the time .

does a 145 fit on a standard rim ???

Shouldn't be a problem - this is my space saver 125 tyre on a standard rim

Thanks for the pic Pine. This is something that has been bugging me: running a spare wheel on the buggy. Where the heck do you put a spare on these things? I was thinking of lugging an extra wheel with for the roadworthy test and then replacing it with a tin of Tyre Weld once I got home. I have no ambition of fitting an unsightly spare to a massive bullbar. Where do you keep your spare?

The space saver tyre is quite a good idea b.t.w.

[Pine]

I only take the spare along on long distance trips - normally put it in the back with a bicycle cable lock around it so that it doesn't get stolen. The idea with the space saver is indeed to, well - save space.

If I would get a puncture at the rear, I will put one of the front tyres at the rear, and the space saver across at the front, because the space saver simply won't work at the back. Then there is always the problem with what to do with a full-size flat wheel in a fully loaded vehicle but I guess one has to make a plan. On a long distance (i.e. camping) trip I would take some tyre repair tools, gators and a pump/small compressor along as well.

I think the aerosol tyre repair can is a good idea to take along, but I don't have any experience of it.

Width of 125 space saver (left) compared to the 165 (right):

[Retro13]

Whoa! And I thought the Smart car tyres were skinny . You can get those from Bakers can't you?

marie.jpg

The tyre repair kit is definitely a good idea as well. I've used the aerosols before and they work a charm; unless you have a gaping hole in the sidewall that is. Then you would be up a cetain creek without a means of propulsion.

Thanks meneer.

More to come...

[Harry Jones]

Thanks for the pics and info Pine .....Snoekie ....your steel rim widening ...have you done them ..if so who did them and what was the
damage ....? could you tell the Mrs or did you lie ....?

[YvaneS]

Those tires look great!
Thanks for posting the guys details. I gave him a call and I will be taking in a set of tires on friday!

[Pine]

Some inspiration for the build

[Retro13]

Man! Don't those pie crust cheater slicks just look the dog's danglies? Nice find Pine; all the right groceries and just dig those forward exiting exhausts.
Going to be using a similar wood rim tiller in my buggy; will posts a few pics a bit later.

Those tires look great!
Thanks for posting the guys details. I gave him a call and I will be taking in a set of tires on friday!

Glad to help. As they say, sharing is caring. Just tell him the big man from Sunnyridge sent you.

Ciao
T!M