well, nothing epic here, but its my journey. I will put the photos on photobucket to keep things easy on me I'm going to post some of what I've already done and "get yall up to speed" so so speak. the buggy in question as it started. (images are clickable) its apparently an older berrien venture frame, appears to be a fairly stock/mild 1600, has a lightened flywheel and hd clutch, came with brand new alternator and starter.



When I bought it I couldn't even fit in it with the steering wheel on, so quick detach had to be added!


I am not interested in tagging it just yet so I welded a 3x3 x 3/16" reciever tube to a piece of 1/4" plate and welded that to the frame. (2.5x 2.5 3/16 bar fits right in there). its a little off center to clear the torsion adjusters but it works great.


This stuff was done in the first few days of ownership, so its grouped into one post, I'll be grouping more photos/posts as I get them sorted

one of the tree bars was broken when I bought it so off they both came and put on something a bit sturdier, this was decided based on the failure at the weld not the bar, welds not good, bars not up to par, grind it off and start over!





Tow bar receiver for moving trailer around yard

so yesterday I decided to fix the headache bars.... if I want to see stars in the daytime I go to Hollywood! I slugged the tube with 1 3/16" solid rod, cut into 1" long pieces, shoved in right off the cutter so they were hot and short so I could get weld penetration.

before:


comparison shot


damage done impromptu rust prevention followed after cool down and weld smoothing (not flat but to take off any sharps since your hands are there getting in and out)



results - more traditional buggy lid, I like it. tons more headroom.

Nice work. Looks a hell of a lot better! Keep up the good work. And keep the pics coming.


Sent from my iPhone

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#If the throttle isn't floored, Your NOT havin FUN!!!!#

Thanks for the compliment, slowly making progress.. currently in process, fuel pump and rewiring while adding some "death from above" protection and moving the switches and electrical around..
more on this later!

Todays progress, passenger area lid, fuel pump plumbed, overhead switch box, and rewiring the beast.. a good day all the way around. yes I know I just painted those bars, welcome to my insanity.

thanks for looking. the old switch box was done by p.o. it was a piece of angle with 3 holes in it.. it worked, but wires all hanging out etc.. things needed cleaned up, much better now

14 gauge diamond plate passenger lid. this should keep those pesky switches from getting muddy!



overhead switch box..


added a fuse block, trying to do it right!

Ran into some trouble... found one my exhaust studs wallowed out and dropped out. Doing some investigation I am going to have to tap it out to a larger bolt. This puts me on hold a bit with finishing my u bend exhaust with super trapp on the end. Currently waiting on delivery of bottoming tap set

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upon investigation several of them are already replaced with 3/8x16 to 5/16x24 step studs, this looks ok by me and 5/16 is pretty much the same as 8mm diameter wise and the studs are only $1.50 for 1 instead of the metric alternative.. the ones already done seem to be holding well so we will see how this goes.

does anyone use a nail set or punch to dimple in their studs? I know with the heat in this area the loctites are generally not gonna work well, anyone have any other ideas on helping keep the stud in the block?

small update, exhaust stud repair went well, all buttoned up so I made a turn down with a older Supertrapp I had laying around, its all welded together and then I used the rubber bushing on the muffler to take some weight off the motor (meaning, exhaust studs) sounds much quieter, which is good since I want to start taking my son with me.



a mirror so I can see where I am going when in reverse.

Just a suggestion but I'd put a brace on the side to the windsheild post since it lays so far back and I'd put an x brace behind the seats. You never know when your gonna end up on your top and you sure don't want it folding down on you. Chad

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NOW GAS IT!!!!!

I've heard that on other peoples posts, the seats would have to be moved forward to do it, I'm not disagreeing mind you, just means lots of little things (many that didn't do and some that I did) would then not be right. I thought about crossing back to the bottom bar back by the shock mount. that would leave enough room to leave things alone but get some extra support.