Piper Pa1200 BugSmasher Build

[CPOTED]

Speaking of crazy:

This is kinda just "normal" crazy:

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This is ... Yeah, I'd have a beer with that guy, kinda crazy:

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And then you have THIS:

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I'm not completely sure what that vertical handle is for but when I try to visualize it, my brain tells me to stop.



There is also THIS, but after talking a LOT of gals into hanging out with me (and doing "other stuff") I really don't think they consider just what they are getting into:

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[Rat]

Yeah … that'd be for leaning waaaay over …

Gord

One of our members has one of those … no handles tho' …

[Sidecar Bob]

There is a good reason that they call the passenger in a racing sidecar a monkey. They can have as much effect on where the outfit goes as the driver does.

And as I said on the CX forum, you can tip almost anything if you overcook a corner too badly. I think the thing about Robins tipping is a lit like the old silent films that show the bike and sidecar separating and going either side of something.

[CPOTED]

One of our members has one of those … no handles tho' …

... ain't that about as pretty as it can be!

Flying on the ground!

Morgan Radial engine.jpg

[CPOTED]

There is a good reason that they call the passenger in a racing sidecar a monkey. They can have as much effect on where the outfit goes as the driver does.

Again ... thanks for putting up with me over there ... and thanks for referring me over here.

The folks on both sites restore my hope that the internet really can be a useful and friendly place.

[CPOTED]

PRO TIP: A LOW center of gravity is a good idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQn_YU1DYbE

[Track T 2411]

This is really looking like a fun project to follow. I happened to pick up a mostly plastics damaged 1800 and have been contemplating just what to do with it. Having a shaft drive REALLY makes me want to build a little car...

[CPOTED]

This is really looking like a fun project to follow. I happened to pick up a mostly plastics damaged 1800 and have been contemplating just what to do with it. Having a shaft drive REALLY makes me want to build a little car...

Finding a fuselage with the door and glass in it took quite some time ... but I DO have an alternative for you. The flat windscreen make it an easy build. If you weld and sew ... even better!

Hows your Czechoslovakian?

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Velorex VW Over lay comparison.jpg

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With an 1800 the little vinyl covered Velorex would REALLY fly!

If you find this interesting, I have TONs on info on it. OR, you could go here: https://www.cx500forum.com/threads/velo ... be.117777/

[Track T 2411]

That might be a tad TOO light, lol... I never considered a VW Bug front suspension as a starting point, but the simplicity is attractive. I'm sure there's lots of aftermarket components to modify it as needed...

[CPOTED]

That might be a tad TOO light, lol...

If only I had thought of it when I was 35.

I never considered a VW Bug front suspension as a starting point, but the simplicity is attractive. I'm sure there's lots of aftermarket components to modify it as needed...

Its an easy convert to disc brakes and there are TONS of aftermarket stuff and mods for the VW f.e.

Back when the book "How to build your own Sports Car" came out, I was kinda surprised that the VW beam with balljoints didn't get a mention. Converting a strut front end to a home built isn't all that easy.

These days, I see a lot of guys doing stuff with the front suspension from a Mazda Miata. I went to VWoA school back about 19and7...2??? so I'm pretty familiar with the thing. I like the plug-and-play self contained aspect. Also, parts for the VW front end will be available long after I am dead and gone.

There is a guy who built a clone of the Velorex using the Honda 500 V twin ... and he did his build around the VW front end.

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Velorex CX500 Engine install.jpg

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It really is a fairly simple build. Note the way the Honda frame and motor is mounted into the tube chassis. That is pretty much what I am going to do ... but the Goldwing frame allows me to cut more off and mount it lower ... and a bit "sturdier".

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[CPOTED]

BugSmasher: Low, slow ... and in the way. Just like 73 year old ME!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHT_-sdzWMQ

[CPOTED]

So ... this morning I woke up bright and early to do my first day of work on my airplane. I WAS GONNA WASH IT!!! But it rained all day.

Not to be deterred, I SPENT MONEY ON IT INSTEAD!!!

I bought my airplane a Rivet Removal Tool drill ... thingie.

rivet removal tool.jpg

I will be removing a LOT of rivets, especially to move the floor pan closer to the ceiling by about 7 inches.

This tool ... well you guys can see that its pretty simple. Just find the correct center locater, surround the rivet head with the locator and drill the head off. And then do the next one remembering to set the drill depth first.

I'm not going to do the whole 2 man aircraft rivet install. I already have a rivet installer tool, a good one I bought back when I was building and wrecking race cars.

anyoldways, I am one step closer to being done spending money on this project!

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[Fred Camper]

Love all the innovation. Agree the VW front suspension is a big win.

[CPOTED]

Love all the innovation.

INNOVATIN' ????

Up here in the piney woods of NoGa we think of it as doing the best we can with what little we got.

Some might call it "Po' boyin' it!

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[CPOTED]

Yes, I know this one is an 1100.

Does anyone know what the height, length and weight of a GL1200 cut down as seen below might be?

My rough guess is it's about 24 inches to the top of the cut off frame, about 5 feet long and maybe about 500 pounds.

Height length weight.jpg