Anuvver Phunkie flyer

[phunkie hiboy]

Here we are some way though another project, similar to the last one, but different!!
Similar, ‘cos it’s a Radio Flyer, but different ‘cos well it’s not the same.
Got this off eBay a couple of months ago, Bit beaten up, but can be rescued.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

So this one will have a separate chassis, we’ll start by making a rear axle. Turn up a couple of spindles (just happened to have some EN8 steel).

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Press them into some 7/8” tube.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

One small rosette weld through the tube into the spindle on both sides where it won’t be seen.
Spindles drilled and tapped down the end to secure the hubs.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Now we have a rear axle, fit some wheels and tyres and a quick mock up to see how they look.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Now onto the rest of the chassis. Cut to length 7/8 tube as required.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Using a real basic set of plumbing pipe benders, curve up parts to pre determined angles.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Start tacking the frame together.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

We’re using go kart front spindles (that will require modifying), as can be seen in this picture, together with a small dropped tube axle.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Mock up with the body on.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Body off and fully weld frame, fit body mount brackets and a steering pivot at the front.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

This is all stripped down now and the chassis and modified (longer) pull handle delivered to the powder coaters this morning, should be ready Thursday morning.

[Manky Monkey]

You're never gonna fit in that Chris.

[phunkie hiboy]

Oh, you'd be surprised, they're bigger than they look. 

[phunkie hiboy]

So, now we have the chassis back from the powder coaters it needs to be fitted up.
Rear hubs have now been polished to remove the gold anodising. Hubs and wheels assembled to chassis. If you look at the previous picture, the front spindle is far too long or the wheel we’re using.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

So  we’ve removed a length off the end, drilled and taped down the centre and fitted the wheel with a large washer and button allen bolt

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Both front wheel assemblies fitted to the frame via modified king pin bolts. This where we’re at with the chassis to date, a rolling chassis.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Called into the powder coaters this morning to drop off the newly fabricated steering arm for coating and was told that the body was ready, 6 days early!!! So here it is all bright and shiney.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

[phunkie hiboy]

So, the last couple of nights we've turned a few pieces of ash wood ............

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Into this to fit on top of the main pan sides.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

[phunkie hiboy]

At last the finish line is in site!!
Picked up the last bit from the powder coaters this morning. It's the fabricated main steering arm and can be seen here together with the pull handle and the pin that holds them together.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Fitted to the chassis ...........

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

And with the steering rods to the swivels ..............

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Main body was then bolted on together with the wooden sides, then finally the new decals applied.

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

All that is needed now, is a final sand down of the wood and a couple of coats of 2 pack clear. That will be done tomorrow at the shop.

[gazzagood]

Wow what a difference from when you first brought it nice bit of workmanship there we'll done
Gaz

[Manky Monkey]

Impressive as always Chris. Very nice.

[phunkie hiboy]

Thanks for that Gaz and Andy.

Well this is it. Probably doesn't look any different to last night, but the wood has had 3 coats of 2 pack clear over it. The only thing left to do is the interior base panel. We've got some red metalflake vinyl to do some sort of cushion to the base of both flyers at some point.

 

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

Anuvver Phunkie flyer

[morrag]

At the risk of sounding terribly slow on the uptake!.....Whats it for? or, who is it for, because as, if it's a toy it seems over the top engineered with Rose joints and wide wheels et al, or am I missing something

[phunkie hiboy]

Obviously led a sheltered life  It's for kids or sometimes pulling the kids around. It's a bit of fun. This sort of stuff goes on all over the states. It's becoming more common over here now with the Vdub guys and music festivals (for carrying their camping stuff from the car park to the camping area).
Click on the link to see a "few" others .............

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=modified+radio+flyer+wagons&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=35P_U5eEBqbG7AbgwYCoAg&ved=0CCAQsAQ&biw=1424&bih=793

[Manky Monkey]

The joy is in the detailing I think -taking a fairly mundane object & lavishing time & effort on it to make it something special beyond it's humble design -just because you can.
Popular at hotrod shows, where just about anything American is seen as desirable. Cool transportation for youngsters that tire, (& start complaining), quickly, or as parts/beer haulers at autojumbles.

[Manky Monkey]

.

[morrag]

Oh, I don't doubt the assiduity of manufacture, although the statement "............just about anything American is seen as desirable!" is for me somewhat less palatable but it takes all sort of taste I suppose............particularly as an old pram used to serve a similar purpose, at hugely reduced cost! .but there you go, I'm off for a lie down until it all passes by

[Manky Monkey]

I'm with you on that one mate -I own a British Special, not an American hotrod.