2016 - Volksdad

[Volksdad]

The offending engine. Beware cheap Chinese return springs.

 

[Volksdad]

New bars across rear so I can bungee on a toolbox. It's from cabelas, one of those plastic ammo boxes.

I decided to do this after pushing this kart back two blocks when the chain jumped the sprocket. You spend a lot of time considering when you are rolling a go kart in 90 degree humidity....

The kids told me I looked real strong.

They didn't help tho.

Nice.

 

[chancer]

You are aware that engine does not really come with a return spring.
That is just the Governor spring that returns the throttle.
You have to add a return spring.

 

[Volksdad]

These are the bars.

And the new seat padding. Cause my back feels like **** from riding.

Gotta make a seat.... Need to figure out how to do it on the cheap, as funds are nonexistent for this project.

The appropriations kommisar (aka wife) has issued an austerity edict due to the upcoming child (September). Several bills sent for a vote were vetoed by her with predjudice.

But I have a plan....

Also these **** pedals are too close. I feel like a crumpled piece of cardboard whenever I get out. Got to do something about that.

---------- Post added at 11:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:17 PM ----------

You are aware that engine does not really come with a return spring.
That is just the Governor spring that returns the throttle.
You have to add a return spring.

Yeah, did that after the go kart demonstrated that fact.

I added a VERY nice return spring.

Time to make a second set of pedals. You know for big kids....

Notch notch weld.

Notch notch weld.

Tadah. Roll bar. Just needs a support in the rear.

Cleaned off the front bars to get a nice weld.

The idea is to put the second set higher and further with a foot rest.

So the blood can travel to my extremities when I'm riding.

Drilling holes for the pedals. This small bar bent at almost a 90 degree angle.

Le bar.

One down.

 

[chancer]

Nice roll bar, How tall are you?
and
I would vote in a new Appropriations commissioner. LOL

 

[Hellion]

That roll bar is UGLY! Sorry.

Nice head and taillights. I guess they're intended for a bicycle. Where'd you get 'em?

 

[landuse]

That roll bar is going to crumple in seconds if you don't support it somehow. Otherwise....looking great!!

 

[Volksdad]

That roll bar is UGLY! Sorry.

Nice head and taillights. I guess they're intended for a bicycle. Where'd you get 'em?

The roll bar IS UGLY. Really ugly... And a little crooked btw- But it does make the kart a little better should it tip.

There is a belt - a rudimentary one that keeps us in the kart during tight turns. I found out how important that was when my 15 year old slid right off the seat at like two miles an hour. Lol , these things turn on a dime! DUH DAD! Any way she will still ride with me despite the engine burn and the sliding incident.

Anyhoo I raised the lower thigh support and the bar sits to the right of your shoulder, to lean on in turns. The kids really like this part. They feel more secure.

I'm going to wrap it in a pool noodle and matching seat vinyl. It's still going to be ugly but not too bad.

 

[Volksdad]

Second pedals done. I linked them up with steel bar stock I had left over and they work well. I welded a footrest that grabs my heel nicely.

I'm currently looking for more sheet metal to add a larger area for my feet but what I have now is pretty darn good. I bounce a lot off road and have no problems with keeping control or my feet right where I need them.

- I have no idea why this pic is sideways and I can't see how to make it right- perhaps I can edit the post from a laptop?...

 

[Volksdad]

And here is a view with my legs.

 

[Denny]

That roll bar is going to crumple in seconds if you don't support it somehow. Otherwise....looking great!!

I think what he was trying to say was that bar needs to be triangulated or it will fold and KILL you or you're kids in a roll over.

On each side of the bar at the top another bar needs to go either all the way to the front or back to the main frame. The life you save may be you're kids.

Denny

 

[landuse]

- I have no idea why this pic is sideways and I can't see how to make it right- perhaps I can edit the post from a laptop?...

I have fixed it for you

 

[Denny]

I have fixed it for you

My Hero!

Denny

 

[landuse]

My Hero!

Denny

That's why they pay me the big bucks

 

[Volksdad]

The roll bar IS triangulated. It was like that from day one. I just didn't take a pic. Sorry.

I will add some of the whole kart today.

---------- Post added at 07:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:59 AM ----------

That roll bar is going to crumple in seconds if you don't support it somehow. Otherwise....looking great!!

It is man, sorry I didn't post it earlier. It has a third bar running to the rear of the cart, and two short bars running forward- along side the passengers as a hip bar of sorts. These two bars support the main bar and give you something to lean against when the driver takes a sharp turn.

---------- Post added at 07:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:05 AM ----------

Nice roll bar, How tall are you?
and
I would vote in a new Appropriations commissioner. LOL

Heh heh heh. Ummmm talk like that will lead to sleeping with one eye open....

But... Negotiations have begun in good faith with support from the populace as to the importance of the kart. The kids are more behind me now and have been chirping all about the kart.

---------- Post added at 07:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:12 AM ----------

As I can't read the small type I made mine bigger.

I traded some work on a band project for some 3/4 inch plywood. The problem with making your own seat has always been the foam which is obscenely expensive. However craigslist has tons of free sofas, so I'm going to snag one this week.

I'll still have to buy vinyl but I think I can get that pretty cheap at the fabric store. Has anyone here sewed vinyl?

 

[Volksdad]

ok here are some better pics of the roll bar.. . and of the dual pedal assembly.

 

[chancer]

Seat Foam?.. I got some couch cushions off a Couch that somebody left on the side of the road, Worked good.
Better than Craigs list, because I did not get stuck with the WHOLE Couch

 

[Poboy kartman]

Seat Foam?.. I got some couch cushions off a Couch that somebody left on the side of the road, Worked good.
Better than Craigs list, because I did not get stuck with the WHOLE Couch

Side of the road....riiiighhhht.....Just coincidental that when you left my couch, so did the cushions!

 

[Flyinhillbilly]

The roll bar IS UGLY. Really ugly... And a little crooked btw- But it does make the kart a little better should it tip.

There is a belt - a rudimentary one that keeps us in the kart during tight turns. I found out how important that was when my 15 year old slid right off the seat at like two miles an hour. Lol , these things turn on a dime! DUH DAD! Any way she will still ride with me despite the engine burn and the sliding incident.

Anyhoo I raised the lower thigh support and the bar sits to the right of your shoulder, to lean on in turns. The kids really like this part. They feel more secure.

I'm going to wrap it in a pool noodle and matching seat vinyl. It's still going to be ugly but not too bad.

I believe what he was saying is that you need to triangulate the roll bar somehow. If it goes over at anything other than a dead stop, the forward momentum is going to fold the roll bar back rendering it useless, and what's worse is the fact that you'll effectively be tied to the cart by the seat belt therefor being dragged underneath it until it stops.


Carry on.

 

[Volksdad]

Triangulated= three bars...

I count three on the rear, and the two shorties facing forward.

I am planning on some more bracing but haven't got the chance yet. You know gainful employment n all.

Seats: I think I'll order the vinyl from Amazon. And I'm looking for some nice seat belts.