Anybody ever built a go kart?

[rogerwa]

Re: Anybody ever built a go kart?

Thanks for the tips. Its helpful to know that doing the tubing is more difficlut and based on time and expense, buying the basic frame is probably my best choice. I have seen some quite resonable frames on CL that could work. I would then limit my welding to the necessary modifications.

I have a friend that has done a lot of welding and is currenlty redoing his late 60's firebird. He is doing a lot of body work and would probably mentor me in my modifications. Who knows he may even let me do it in his shop with his welder.

As I stated earlier, I have more dreams than time. Going the full banana at this point may not be the best timing. I do enjoy the mechanical/propulsion aspects and would like to be able to teach that to my boys. If they learn at this age not to be afraid of it and to have the confidence to try something, they will benefit from that all their lives. Besides being a cool dad.

 

[QuadManiac]

Re: Anybody ever built a go kart?

Just found a 6.5 HP horizontal shaft engine at Costco for $49!!! Hadda buy it, even though I don't have a project for it yet. They had hundreds of them palletized here in my San Diego store (and they're CARB approved!). Hopefully they'll have them in their other locations too.

Seems like just the right economical motor for a first go kart project, IMO.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Anybody ever built a go kart?

OK, few pix here...built my first mini at 10 (gearhead sibs and dad) in 1960...belive me, years, thousands of miles later..I still get a grin off this putting down the road (neighbors already know I'm wacky anyway)
(YES, I have since built a good chain guard!..belt idea didn't work...and yep, those are my 3 Harleys in the background, and the "dungeon")

[/QUOTE nice!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Anybody ever built a go kart?

Hey Mark42, now that's what I'm talking about.. Did you build the frame or buy it??

I also see that looks like one of those Comet Torque converters. Does that really help over the centrifigal clutch??

What size motor is that and how fast does it go??

That is an old Rupp brand go kart. Added the 8" wheel barrow front rims, took out the 1" solid axle and put in a 1" with differential (can get you the part number if you need it) high flotation tires (22" I think) and Comet torque converter.

I made the square tube motor mount and jack shaft mount. Otherwise it is original.

The motor is only 5hp, but with the converter and low gearing, it will climb up a 45* incline from dead stop. Top speed is probably only 25mph or so. But it seems much faster. Put an 8hp on there and you will do 35mph easy.

Yes, a torque converter is a major improvement over a centrifigal clutch. They actually change the ratio between crankshaft to output shaft by about a factor of 2.5 or 3 depending on the model. They do require regular maintenance to keep the clutch part sliding smoothly. Use a heavy duty DRY lube to get 30 hours between lubrications. Takes me about 15 minutes to pull the clutch out, clean, lube and reinstall. The cool part is hearing the whine it makes as the converter action takes place and you feel the machine accelerating even though motor RPM's are constant.

I have broke the diff twice. The case cracks when the kart gets air borne. So now I bought two more alxe bearings and will mount them just an inch or so away from the diff to keep the stress from cracking the housing.

Keep an eye out for used karts, they are cheap, and easy to work on. Ask the kids in your neighborhood, they usually outgrow these things when they get their lisences and drive cars.

BTW, even with an open differential, the kart will go through snow with no problem.

Good luck!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Anybody ever built a go kart?

Scatty, thats a nice mod! Looks to be a 4hp Briggs on there. How does it perform?