Shifting Idea - anyone done it?

[TerryOlson]

Sold the Suzuki 50 (kids outgrew it) and we're looking for a kart, either complete or a project. I've had very little luck on craigslist in my area (overpriced junk, or posters who don't return email or phone messages!). I'm thinking about just building from scratch, but the cost will definitely be more than buying and fixing a used kart, so I'm looking for a while more before I make that move - that's another story all together.

Anyway, I've been thinking about gearing and clutch options and I wondered if a guy could use the chain, gears, derailer and related mechanisms from a mountain bike as a sort of transmission on a kart. I'm sure this isn't a new idea and I'm interested to know if anyone has played with this and what result they achieved.

Anyone done it? I know this won't work on a particulary heavy kart / rider or on a kart with a lot of power, but it's an interesting idea.

 

[Tony]

I would not even use bike chain and sprockets on a kart at all. They are just not heavy duty enough. People have used gears from motorcycles. I am making a trans for my mini bike using spur gears. What kind of kart do you want a off road or yard.

 

[freakboy]

hes talking about using gokart parts to make it shift like a mountain bike.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

I've had bike sprockets crack from just pedaling, there is no way they would hold up to the torque.

 

[freakboy]

Ughhh hes talking about using gokart sprockets in the arangement to shift like a bike. not using the actualy sprockets of a bike. well im sure thats what he ment.

 

[TerryOlson]

No - I meant using the bike mechanisms on the kart. I doubt it's practical, but I'd been kicking it around just the same. When you're biking you ease up on the pedals a bit for a smooth shift but I don't think you can work the throttle like that. I'm also sure that the bike parts wouldn't hold up for long, but I thought maybe someone's played with it and can say for sure.

 

[modelengineer]

Yeah, the bike sprocket and chain aren't really strong enough. If you want gears then you should buy a motorbike engine. They are the best kart engines ever!

 

[EagleTalons]

I've had bike sprockets crack from just pedaling, there is no way they would hold up to the torque.

I have too, my old mountain bike sprocket has flat spots on it from my torque extreme legs!

 

[Phatvortex]

I have too, my old mountain bike sprocket has flat spots on it from my torque extreme legs!

Torque-leg-verter?

Push bike chains and sprockets are designed to be easy to derail as well, for changing gear. Not the greatest characteristic for a kart!

 

[BradenM]

Weed-wacker's can destroy bicycle chain and sprockets. I wouldn't try it.

 

[mike75925]

the idea is sound, however due to power differentiation, you will need to build a beefier deraillier, use jackshaft gears, two sprocket carriers(to support both ends of your gear pack) new chain is stiff so you will have to loosen it a bit. there were those automatic bikes, i never saw how they worked. for all the engineering and fab it would be easier to get a tranny from a junkyard (car, truck, moto, atv,).

 

[Orange Krate]

I once thought of using step v-belt pulleys with loose belts and a selectable idler. I'd still like to try it but can't imagine the benefit would outweigh the headache of building it.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

I once thought of using step v-belt pulleys with loose belts and a selectable idler. I'd still like to try it but can't imagine the benefit would outweigh the headache of building it.

You could potentially get a very high speed. Have like 3 different pully combos one that tops at like 25 next at 50 than one at 75.