Another New Guy!

[rodkillah2002]

Hey happy go kart people! I have been kicking around the idea of building my own go kart for years and I seem to have found a wealth of knoweldge on this sight. Well I want to build a off road buggy that can handle off road trails much like an atv. I have many family members who work in the lawn service industrie so I have access to vertical shaft motors anywhere from 10 to 30 hourse power. Ive read adout useing peerless transmissions and trans axles and would like to go that rout. Im a BIG GUY to say the least, and was wondering about the clutch, tourque converter set up and also about suspension, bearing, hubs, a arms and all that good stuff. I know I need to search alot more but I just really found this sight. Any input will be gladly accepted.

[souperman000]

welcome to the forum!

Going for an offroad bguggy, I would look more for horizontal shaft motors. Even keep a look out for motorcycle/ATV engines as well.

[Fabroman]

Originally Posted by souperman000

welcome to the forum!

Going for an offroad bguggy, I would look more for horizontal shaft motors. Even keep a look out for motorcycle/ATV engines as well.

However, integrated with a peerless trans, A vertical will work too...

Welcome to the forum

What are your thoughts for rear suspension, swing arm or independent?

[souperman000]

Originally Posted by Fabroman

However, integrated with a peerless trans, A vertical will work too...

Welcome to the forum

What are your thoughts for rear suspension, swing arm or independent?

I have no experience with them, but would a peerless trans hold up under tones of torque? I know they work for a riding lawnmower...idk

EDIT - 1000th post...lol

[Fabroman]

Originally Posted by souperman000

1000th post...lol

WOO HOO, WELL DONE

[landuse]

Originally Posted by souperman000

I have no experience with them, but would a peerless trans hold up under tones of torque? I know they work for a riding lawnmower...idk

EDIT - 1000th post...lol

Its amazing how fast they rack up

Welcome to the forum rodkillah2002. I would also look at a motorcycle engine if you can source one, but you could get something working with a vertical shaft engine. It will just require a bit more fab work

[FatCat]

Very cool! Good luck on your buggy build. You'll find the project to be more enjoyable than the riding. Least that's what happened to me. What are your fab skills? First build? Guy who's forgot more than I'll ever know? Do you have a budget in place? If not that's a great first step. The expenses get out of control in a hurry if your watching them. I'm just trying to get an idea of where your at. If your brand new to go kart/buggy's/atv's would you consider buying a used buggy and modifying to your taste? That's by far the easiest and cheapest route. How big of a guy? I'm a pretty big guy myself. You should see me getting in and out of my buggy.lol. It's not pretty but it gives my buddy's some entertainment. Right before they eat my roost!!:-) It's hard for us shade tree mechanics to do better than engineers on suspension design. Takes tons of trial and error(which is time consuming and expensive). I've always thought converting a Honda fl350 to a lawn mower engine would be great for the kids. It already uses a Comet CVT setup. Should be able to modify a side shaft engine pretty easy. You would also get to keep the F-N-R box. Trust me from a big guy. Reverse in a buggy is mandatory. It sucks jumping in and out 3 times to turn around. It's not an easy task for me so it gets old real quick. It could take a while to find the right
one for this. Id look for low rust, good cosmetics(not required but making them pretty costs big bucks), no frame or suspension damage. Engine doesn't matter but a running used one will fetch you $300 back and you'll get to test the trans. If you watch craigslist you can find a pretty clean project for 1000-1500. Be picky though. They're pretty hard to find but theyre around. some people think they got a hemi cuda.
Or you could just buy it's bad*** big brother the Honda Pilot if it's affordable to you. Then just ride your buggy dream instead of wrenching on it. I wouldn't modify a thing on those. Worst thing they did to them is quit making them. Not many other flaws. I had the opportunity to ride one for the first time yesterday. They were very far ahead of there time. All I can say is Wow! More addictive than crack! Just weigh your options before you jump in. I've spent $1000's on my FL350 Odyssey trying to mimic the fl400 pilot. More than a pilot cost for that matter:-( (can you say fool!) that's me. Can't beat the real McCoy. If your wallet allows Honda already designed and built the perfect Offroad buggy in 1989-90. Oh and it rides as good as any Cadillac you've been in! Seriously!


And by the way if you do get to ride/buy(if you ride it you will!) one don't blame it on me!

[rodkillah2002]

Thanks for all the responces guys! Budget, I dont really have one but the cheaper the better. And how big of a guy am I? 6'2" and the scale runs out of numbers! Beans and potatoes are my friends! As far as suspension goes, I want to do independent all the way around. I kinda understand the double a arm set up, but when it comes to sterring, hubs, flanges, pillow blocks, and the whole sort I get a little lost. As far as my welding and fab skills go, I took welding in highschool, auto tech at a community college, and I just graduated from a four year school majoring in landscape architure(not spelling). So the design and build part is o.k. Just some of the more complicated things with suspension angles and drive line stuff I will have to figure out. I know a motorcycle guy that has a few old honda cb 750 motors, I just want reverse. Hence the lawn mower setup. Ill post some pics soon of what Im thinking about or if I find anything interesting on craigs list. Once again thanks guys!

PHP Code:

Worst invention ever? Single ply tolit paper!:furious2: 


[FatCat]

Lots of guys who build busa buggies use a car starters for reverse. I believe they use a solid axle setup with a flywheel on the axle. Put the buggy in neutral and apply the starter to back up. This isn't something you would want to use a 100 times a day. Probably a big draw on the battery. Might also lose the ability to back up steep hills. It's a primitive design but it would get the job done. If you plan ahead in your driving you will rarely need it. (you get really good at this when you don't have it. Lol) I might hit reverse 5 times in a day of riding. Sure is nice those 5 times though. I'm 6'2 as well. When I got my buggy I was over 360. I've lost some weight since then. Now I'm between 290 and 300. Even at my size now the best investment I can tell you is buy a nice 3" wide quality racing harness. Period. I'm not a safety preacher at all but the wrong belt will hurt you! Trust me! Good aftermarkets can adjust out a lot. My current ones could easily fit a 400lbs person. And fit right. Thats very very important. Just because it will squeeze around you doesn't mean it's right. The right belt you will have tighten it up once your in it. This helps a lot with comfort to. You want to pull it as tight as you physically can. Then you'll get to feel the freedom of riding an ATV without constantly fighting your momentum flying around. If I knew then what I know now I would gladly pay $1000 for a good harness if that was what they cost. You can get a nice used one off eBay for $50-$150 depending on how patient you are. Don't be patient enough to ride without though! Here's a link to some pics of me last Sunday. From the top pic 3,4,5,6,7 and 10 are me. Wearing red shirt. Look at pic 10. Zoom in. His belt didn't fit me. Yeah I can still barely turn my head. That was really stupid. Could have broke my neck very easily. The other pics I'm strapped in like a rock. Felt like I was sitting on my sofa. The belt takes all the shock from you if it's tight. Hope you enjoy
the pics.

http://www.pilotodyssey.com/PO/viewt...hp?f=3&t=10741