Gary's Low Budget Kart Build

[honda-gx-power]

You need 2 of these low budget karts so you got one and your project partner got one.
Race each other, That what i mean, That seat looks comfy as hell but it looks like you will slide of it when taking corners sharp. I like to be sat in the seat not on top like that.
Bucket seats we call them over here, in uk, When do you think you will be driving it and making a video for us as i cant wait to see it going, I like this project its caught my eye since the start.

 

[Garified]

Ah, gotcha. This kart has a live axle, no roll cage and is still kinda high off the ground so I will not risk taking corners at high speeds. We'll mainly be driving in a straight line. We do plan to make a 2nd "Improved" version of this in the future, but right now we don't have the time or resources to be building 2 karts.

And yes we'll definitely be making a video of it driving once it's done... Which will hopefully be next week.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Roll bar notwithstanding, you could fabricate a couple of padded side bolsters to keep your butt from sliding around. It wouldn't take much- a steel brace, some plywood, foam, and scrap upholstery.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

get some pool noodles for the foam

 

[Garified]

Roll bar notwithstanding, you could fabricate a couple of padded side bolsters to keep your butt from sliding around. It wouldn't take much- a steel brace, some plywood, foam, and scrap upholstery.

Though not completely necessary, that wouldn't be a bad idea. I'll add them later in the build.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Even the foam can be free and easy. Bluethunder's pool noodles could work. I made a seat and back using multiple layers of discarded foam carpet underpad.

 

[honda-gx-power]

Get a bucket seat just when one comes along. That seat looks comfy anyway.
I love going mad on my kart, leaning into the corner sucking them up
Keep that kart as it is because its decent, dont try fix something thats not broke

 

[Garified]

All I'm going to do to the frame at this point is weld some angle steel on the mid-frame because that's a weaker point that may bend under stress. Then of course the motor mount.

 

[Garified]

UPDATE!


Got the brakes finished!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYJ7U6ewnsQ

All that's left to do is mount the engine, install the throttle cables, install our killswitch, ignition switch, and DRIVE!

The motor isn't mounted yet but I took some pictures of what it will look like when the engine is actually mounted.

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The cockpit:

EDIT:

Also, what drive ratio would you guys recommend? I'm thinking of going for a 6:1 or 5:1 ratio.

 

[honda-gx-power]

Need some sort of steering wheel as them bends in that set of handles bars your using for a steering wheel look week because they have been bent.
Coming on tho now that kart. I would get 14 tooth front sprocket so it takes of faster.
Keep thread updated, like i said this project caught my eye from the start.
I am after doing something like it, im just waiting on a cheap china 4 stroke quad for like £30 to £50 running or not, then i can get on with it.
My desert storm is rapid what me and my bud have done, we took 47cc 2 stroke engine out of it and put a gx160 engine in it, clutch should have come today but should be here monday now.
Will show you a video soon as it done.

 

[Garified]

Need some sort of steering wheel as them bends in that set of handles bars your using for a steering wheel look week because they have been bent.
Coming on tho now that kart. I would get 14 tooth front sprocket so it takes of faster.
Keep thread updated, like i said this project caught my eye from the start.
I am after doing something like it, im just waiting on a cheap china 4 stroke quad for like £30 to £50 running or not, then i can get on with it.
My desert storm is rapid what me and my bud have done, we took 47cc 2 stroke engine out of it and put a gx160 engine in it, clutch should have come today but should be here monday now.
Will show you a video soon as it done.
View attachment 9853

Our steering wheel is more than strong enough. Notice the welds right in the bends? Trust me, it's nice and strong.

I'm getting an 11 tooth centrifugal clutch probably Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. The local small engine shop didn't have any clutches for 40 chain, so they said they'll order it for me if I don't have one by Monday. They gave us a full refund of the clutch we bought Wednesday. Then I'll either be getting a 55 or 66 tooth rear sprocket here soon.

 

[honda-gx-power]

Are you not having foot pedels? Are you putting your gas throttle on hanlde bars?
Like where the brake is tho, decent that.
Selling my kart for £250 tomorror if this guy dont mess me about, then doing my project.I like to sit higher of the floor like your kart, that why this is going
Heres my kart thats going tomorror but this pic is poor

 

[Garified]

Are you not having foot pedels? Are you putting your gas throttle on hanlde bars?
Like where the brake is tho, decent that.
Selling my kart for £250 tomorror if this guy dont mess me about, then doing my project.I like to sit higher of the floor like your kart, that why this is going
Heres my kart thats going tomorror but this pic is poor
View attachment 9855
View attachment 9854

Nice kart man!

We're going to try and use the thumb throttle from the ATV. The reason why the brake isn't also on the handle bars is because the brake line was too short to reach from the steering wheel to the rear caliper.

After my kart is done, I'm probably going to draw up plans and sell them or something. Though this kart is very simple and can probably be built just by looking at it.

 

[honda-gx-power]

Good tho that, would love a go when done but you live to far away haha.
Cant you buy that brake hose in how much length you want, might be worth looking for some brake hose as you might get it cheaper than you think.
Got an idea, cut that bar off what your brakes on and put it at the front of your seat but low, then put a pedal on kart where they normaly go and connect pedal to brake lever with cable so that when you press your brake the cable presses the brake lever, hope you no what i mean.
Just an idea im not telling you how to build it as your kart looks decent

 

[Garified]

Good tho that, would love a go when done but you live to far away haha.
Cant you buy that brake hose in how much length you want, might be worth looking for some brake hose as you might get it cheaper than you think.
Got an idea, cut that bar off what your brakes on and put it at the front of your seat but low, then put a pedal on kart where they normaly go and connect pedal to brake lever with cable so that when you press your brake the cable presses the brake lever, hope you no what i mean.
Just an idea im not telling you how to build it as your kart looks decent

Thanks for the suggestions!

Yeah I see what you mean. I don't think we're going to have any pedals though.

What we are going to have after the build is done:

-Headlights
-Tail lights
-Brake lights (Our brake handle already has a switch)
-MAYBE blinkers.
-A motorcycle battery powering it all.

Our motor already has a charging system equipped, so we won't have to charge our battery.

 

[honda-gx-power]

Use a pedal bike brake lever for the throttle as i cant see the quad thum throttle being in a comfy place and pedal bike brake lever you can easy get your hands on.
Connecting throttle assembly,- Well there was a thread on that about a month back with some people showing pictures of there throttle assembly, there was some nice examples aswell. Guys on here might be able to get the link for you.
Whats the colour going to be?

 

[Garified]

It's going to be black.

 

[Garified]

I'm not gonna lie, I thought this was going to be a gigantic kart after I finished the frame, but it's rather compact.

Also stress tested the frame... First had me get on it (145 lbs). Then a friend who's a pretty big guy (200+ lbs). Then my Auto tech teacher (300+ lbs, I'm talking 6'2" giant here).

Didn't even phase the frame.

 

[Garified]

Started moving into a new house today. Lots of moving to do tomorrow!!!

Hopefully we will have the right clutch Tuesday or Wednesday. I've decided to go with a 5:1 ratio, also. It's going to stay at around 3:1 for now until I can get the new sprocket. After I get the sprockets and what not, I have to get my chain shortened to the right length. After I get all that, I will finally mount the engine. If we manage to sell one of the spare engines we have at the house, then I might look into getting a torque converter instead.

Hopefully we'll be driving this bad boy Friday.

Stay tuned!

 

[Bluethunder3320]

3 to 1 is pretty high. Im not sure if it will move.