Hi,
First post here. I have just finished school and, in my 4 month break, decided to build an off-road buggy. After much research I came to the conclusion that
http://www.edge.au.com/ had the best designs out there (no, I don't have any financial interest in the company). Plans for the sidewinder arrived and this is how far I have progressed with the project so far.
Frame:



Rear suspension swingarm:


Front suspension swingarms:


The buggy is not designed for sand dunes. It is designed for rough tracks where very high speed cornering is required, so on the dirt will go MUCH faster than a sand dune buggy.
Last week I went to a salvage auction for motorbikes and picked up this little beauty for a great price:

It is a 2007 Suzuki GS-500F with only 9,500 kms on it (5,900 miles). It has 47hp, it's oil and air cooled cooled, twin cylinder, AND has a 6 speed gearbox. I will be changing the rear sprocket from ~37 tooth on the bike, to 50 tooth on the buggy, so it should have great acceleration and a top speed of around 110 kph (70 mph) which is plenty fast enough for me.
Here is the engine after a friend and I removed it from the bike (it is HEAVY!):


Should have some more updates soon-ish once I get the engine put in
Andrew