Newbie Making belt drive Go Kart??

[jjroga]

I recently bought a Biz go kart frame from Letgo. This is my first go kart. Im planning on putting a predator 212cc on it. The sprocket on the rear axle is a belt drive and not a chain drive. It has 80 teeth on it and I wanted to know how many teeth should be on the timing belt pulley driver? (if any specific ones please give link) Additionally, the belt that fits on the sprocket is 1.375 inches wide but I could only find a pulley driver that fits onto the predator engine that fits a 1 inch wide belt. Would it be fine to use a 1 inch belt on the sprocket. All suggestions are deeply appreciated.

 

[KartFab]

the drive system is for racing, you have to push start the kart ,or start it on a stand as it is direct drive (the kart will roll as fast as the engine runs, and it will only stop if you kill the engine).

Maybe check the axle size and get a race hub with split sprockets, then get a race clutch or centrifugal clutch.

 

[jjroga]

Thank you for responding
The issue with putting on a new sprocket on is that I cant get the wheel hub off, and there is a bearing on the axle that I cant get off either. Is there such thing as a two piece sprocket hub?

 

[anickode]

http://www.gopowersports.com/max-torque-centrifugal-cog-belt-clutch/

 

[jjroga]

Would using that clutch fix the issues that Kartfab stated?

 

[anickode]

Would using that clutch fix the issues that Kartfab stated?

You should verify that the belt width and cog pitch matches, but yes. This would make it no different than a regular kart.

 

[mckutzy]

Why a belt drive??? Why not just stick with chain?

 

[anickode]

Why a belt drive??? Why not just stick with chain?

Because the kart already has a cog belt sprocket on the axle?

Guess it depends on what the OP has in mind for the future... Chain sprockets are much easier and cheaper to switch around drive ratios since they're more common and readily available. If you want to go faster, you slap on a different sprocket and add/subtract a few links.

Cog belt sprockets are way more expensive and harder to find.

For right now, the quickest and probably cheapest way to get the kart going is to buy the cog belt clutch, but for future upgrades, chain and sprockets will be more versatile.

HOWEVER

that kart is clearly NOT set up for an industrial engine. It will require modification to make one fit. Odds are, the shaft won't be in the exact right spot to make the belt line up, which means you'll probably have to move the sprocket one way or the other on the shaft and possibly install a different length belt, which will mean pulling the axle off. If that's the case, you'll already be doing most of the work needed to switch to a chain drive.

I don't see any obvious reasons why the hubs and sprocket and bearings shouldn't come off. It's not excessively rusty. A little fine sandpaper on the surface rust on the shaft, and some penetrating oil, and it should be quick work.

 

[jjroga]

I have tried extremely hard to remove the wheel hub but it won’t come off. I’ve lubed it up, heated it up with a torch, then banged it with a hammer but it won’t come off. That is why I am sticking with the belt drive because it’s the only option possible for me. I would be able to slide a new belt on so that won’t be an issue. The area to place the engine seems large enough for it. I was planning on bolting down the predator engine mounting plate. I was also wondering around what speeds would I achieve once I have installed that belt clutch.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

How would you get a belt on it without removing the axle? Belts don't have removable links, as far as I know.

 

[jjroga]

I could remove the axle I just can’t take off the wheel hub

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Of course, my bad.

 

[Karttekk]

If the brakes work, loosen any fasteners holding the hub/bearing on, soak the area with PB Blaster then put the wheel on. Try drifting the kart over a rough downhill surface and see if that pops it loose. This works with seized rims on car axles. Sometimes a bump in the road or a small pothole will be enough to jar things loose. Worth a shot.

Thanks

---------- Post added at 02:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:17 PM ----------

You could also try heating it up again then throw cold water on it. The quick temp change may change the expansion/contraction rate enough to pop it off with a hammer. That worked on a bumper bolt that was stubborn. Found this on a different forum, same idea:

ChevyEFI 03-07-2013, 04:04 PM

bake it.
then quench the axle with R134a (refrigerant)

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

If the brakes work, loosen any fasteners holding the hub/bearing on, soak the area with PB Blaster then put the wheel on. Try drifting the kart over a rough downhill surface and see if that pops it loose. This works with seized rims on car axles. Sometimes a bump in the road or a small pothole will be enough to jar things loose. Worth a shot.

Did you just advise him to take the bolts out of the wheel hub and go drift it?

Sounds kinda unsafe advice there.

Hopefully he has a good friend to push him cause that kart has no engine.......

 

[Karttekk]

I know it doesn't run. I figured just roll it down a slight grade slowly hoping it might break the rust loose, even if it rolls a few feet. Put some weight in it and move it. That's why I asked if the brakes work. I've had many car wheels pop loose that wouldn't come off by running the lug nuts up close to the rim then move the vehicle maybe a foot if that until it pops loose. Might not take much rolling. Nothing else seems to be working. See if moving the kart does anything. Sorry about the confusion! Safety first.

Thanks

 

[jjroga]

Well I got the belt clutch and it is not going to work out(Way to small). Does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[anickode]

Well I got the belt clutch and it is not going to work out(Way to small). Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Too small being too narrow, or it just goes too slow for your liking?

 

[jjroga]

The grooves in the clutch were tiny. However I’ve been trying to get the wheel hub off all day and I just realized that there is a axle circlip keeping it from coming off. Now I just need to get the axle circlip off and I’m going to switch it to chain drive.

---------- Post added at 08:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:49 PM ----------

I got it off!!!! How many teeth should I get on my sprocket if I’m going to have a 12t clutch? I want it to be the fastest it could be while still having normal acceleration.

 

[jjroga]

Would it be better to have a split sprocket or one piece? And how many teeth should i have on the sprocket? I will be using a 12t clutch, the kart weights around 140 lbs with out me in it, and it has 11" rear tires.

 

[anickode]

Would it be better to have a split sprocket or one piece? And how many teeth should i have on the sprocket? I will be using a 12t clutch, the kart weights around 140 lbs with out me in it, and it has 11" rear tires.

The advantage of a split sprocket is being able to change it quickly, without removing the axle. The hubs and sprockets tend to be more expensive, so if you don't plan on changing your gear ratio on a regular basis, go with the solid sprocket.