Where to start with basic kart?

[midnightbrwr]

Hello,
I am thinking about building a very basic kart for my seven year old, something like a Viper ST or a Northern tool. I have a Mig welder, OA setup, drill press, chop saw, etc but nothing to bend tubing with. I have a 3.5hp trimmer motor and may be able to get a 5 hp cheap or free. My questions is for anyone who has bought the Viper or Northern tool plans is, are they worth ordering?

Also I think I am going with a 1 wheel drive, but our property is sandy so are there any designs that are easily upgradable to a live axle if the single wheel drive doesn't work so well?

 

[redsox985]

A very basic ladder style frame would be the best option. Get a live axle and run but run it with a key only in one hub to start so that it only has one wheel drive. If you want a live axle, insert a key and ride. The 3.5 would probably be fine. I do not know about the quality of the plans, though.

Maybe something like this.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

A very basic ladder style frame would be the best option. .

Yep!

Get a live axle and run but run it with a key only in one hub to start so that it only has one wheel drive. If you want a live axle, insert a key and ride.

Why? If he's already gone to the trouble and expense of a live axle, and is running in loose terrain, there's no reason not to run it intact!

 

[midnightbrwr]

It looks like a live axle is at least $100 more, I think I will probably pass for the first kart. Since I am going to leave it at the grandparent's house (5 acres to drive on) there is going to be more than one kid around most of the time. I think I should make a two seater so the smaller kids can get rides.

 

[redsox985]

Why? If he's already gone to the trouble and expense of a live axle, and is running in loose terrain, there's no reason not to run it intact!

Oh, I fully agree on the live able but it was just a way to do one wheel drive with a live set up.

 

[HellSpawn]

A very basic ladder style frame would be the best option. Get a live axle and run but run it with a key only in one hub to start so that it only has one wheel drive. If you want a live axle, insert a key and ride. The 3.5 would probably be fine. I do not know about the quality of the plans, though.

Maybe something like this.

I wouldn't do this without constantly lubricating the non-driven side. (You'll destroy the hub in a matter of a day otherwise.)

even then I don't approve.

 

[sideways]

I wouldn't do this without constantly lubricating the non-driven side. (You'll destroy the hub in a matter of a day otherwise.)

even then I don't approve.

Exactly, you'l chew out your axle and hub in a matter of minutes.

I have a Chinese buggy with a similar system but in the hub of one wheel is a bearing, there's still the live axle there but it only drives one wheel. I'l take the bearing out and machine a spacer to go in its place so It will have 2WD.

I think you should build something like this. Very simple, easy to build and best of all, cheap!

Thanks

Hayden

 

[T-man]

Ha , an office chair, thats classic. Ive seen school chairs but not office.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Ha , an office chair, thats classic. Ive seen school chairs but not office.

That's the "Executive" edition!

 

[r97]

if you wan't plans maybe this?
http://www.edge.au.com/Categories/The_Fun_Kart_III
or this,
http://www.gokartplans.com/plans/st-stx/index.htm
you said there would be several people?
http://www.gokartplans.com/plans/2seat/index.htm
or
http://www.diygokarts.com/kart-plans/kart-plans-main.html