Project: go-kart diet!

[mysteryboy28]

Time to trim the fat off the big go-kart, make it lighter, nimbler, quicker, have a better turning radius with easier steering, and maybe even look cooler!

Will be chopping the whole front end off and simplifying the suspension to a single A-arm setup, removing the fake triangles on the back (purely there for appearance, offering no structural support) and replacing them with a little cargo rack. Will also be removing the HEAVY thick floor pan (must be 1/4 thick!) and replacing that with sufficiently thick sheet metal.

Let's see how this goes!

[mysteryboy28]

Got a good start on the project tonight, here you go!

As you can see, I put everything in a pile that was removed. It must all weigh a good 150 lbs!

[mysteryboy28]

Front end is starting to shape up!

I'm afraid that the steering is going to have to take a hit on the Ackerman front... if I do Ackerman geometry then the tie rods will be in the way of the pedals. I will explore the concept of making the tie rods longer and bypassing the center of the steering shaft.

[Nodroz]

Looks like you're up for a nice project. Are you going to re-paint it, or will you leave it like that?

I'm using Tie Rods for my steering also. I must say it's pretty easy to adjust them to get the wheel perfectly lined up.

[fowler]

I will have a bad turning radius without Ackerman
My buggy has no Ackerman and the wheels just take turns at bouncing when I push it on cement

[mph]

What size tubing did you use? Looks really thick.. heavy but strong

[Jake.B]

Well considering theres a roll bar it needs to be? If you roll it you need to be sure it wont fail.

[mysteryboy28]

Originally Posted by Nodroz

Looks like you're up for a nice project. Are you going to re-paint it, or will you leave it like that?

I'm using Tie Rods for my steering also. I must say it's pretty easy to adjust them to get the wheel perfectly lined up.

it's mostly just dirty from riding in the mud. probably should have washed it before i decided to tear it apart. lol. will be painting the areas i work on for sure.

[mysteryboy28]

Originally Posted by mph

What size tubing did you use? Looks really thick.. heavy but strong

1 inch square tubing for the frame, approx .01 thickness (just under 1/8"), and some 1 inch round tubing for the rollcage, about 1/16" thick. probably should have used thicker tubing for the rollcage, but it was what i had on hand. salvaged it from another kart. lol. i WILL be reinforcing the rollcage with some cross braces.