Damien

[landuse]

When you get an idea you really move fast!!! Looking sweet so far

 

[Functional Artist]

When you get an idea you really move fast!!! Looking sweet so far

"snow drives back the foot that's slow" -Led Zepplin


Yup, I think i'm kinda OC-D (obsessive & compulsive)
...but, I ain't got no disorder

Thanks, again

 

[Functional Artist]

The base frame rails came out pretty good.

I set them on each side of the swing arm & got'em aligned.

First, lining up the rear uprights (with a "sliding" cross bar) to correspond with a couple of riding lawn mower seat springs & then making sure both bars are even in the back.

Once everything was aligned, I "tac" welded the base rails to the swing arm brackets. After double checked everything again I welded 'em up good.

 

[Functional Artist]

Yup, that seems to give us a pretty good rear suspension "swing".

Now, we'll make the front axle.

I kinda want the front wheels to be a bit narrower than the rears. (kinda like on an Indy car)
The rear axle is 36" so, we'll make the front ~32".

The base frame rails are ~19" (on center) coming off of the swing arm then, we brought them in ~5" (2 1/2" on each side) so, now their ~14" on center.

To make the front 32" (overall) we'll have to do some math to figure out how long the actual axle bar needs to be.
The front wheel & spindle assembly's seem to be ~6" from the spindle mounting bracket to the outer edge of the tire.

So, if we subtract 6" for both the left & right tire assembly's that tells us that we need the axle itself to be 20".

Once we had that info, I went ahead & cut a 20" piece of 1" square tube, measured & marked the center of the axle (@10") then, measured & marked 7" each way from that middle mark. That gave us (2) marks (centered on the axle) 14" apart.

Next, I drilled 1/8" pilot holes @ both marks then, moved up to 3/8" then, 1/2" then, mounted a "step drill bit" to open the holes up to 5/8".

Now, we can use a couple of pieces of 3" x 5/8" rod as "alignment pins" (thru each hole) to align the frame rails & to mount the axle.

 

[Tpdingo]

**** you work too fast for us to comment on your posts
I'm still patiently waiting for the front end. This build is going to be sick, well if it wasn't already

 

[Functional Artist]

I worked/slid the frame rails over the alignment stubs until they were "butted up" good-n-tight to the axle.

Then, I double checked all measurements (again) while clamping the frame rails down to the table (to help maintain squareness) before welding the front axle onto the ends of the (lower) frame rails.

* While I was welding, I went ahead & welded the rear bumper on too

Boom! We have a main frame

 

[Functional Artist]

I really like that swooping front. Gives it..I don't know how to describe it...Ariel Atom look? Its like a combination of having an enclosed design but also open. Whatever it is, I approve .

With it having side rails, how is the structure going to be? Basic ladder, Unibody, another backbone kart? I think if you would nail down the body structure of the atom, but a bit more open, but still keep it very rigid, we would have a VERY nice combination on your hands.

PS:
*whispers* Come over here
*shouts(in your ear)* NEED BIGGER SLICKS!!!

Oh yea thanks pal, you had to mention the Ariel Atom

My left brain is already workin' on "how to" construct a (kart size) chassis
...totally against my will

 

[Tpdingo]

Good...good...that was my plan all along. (*Insert Mr.burns pic here*) My evil plan to make Functional Artist make an Ariel Atom go kart.
Muahahahahaha!!

Because I know that if I give Functional Artist my ideas, he will make them because he is actually skilled and has time, one of which don't have and one I REALLY don't have(guess which one is which)

Anyway, impressionable but functional artist, great job on that frame!!

NOW GIMME THOSE DARN SWOOPING FRONT FRAME PIECES LIKE I WANT!! (plz my left brain keeps imagining something amazing and I want pics. Join the left brain anarchy club)

 

[landuse]

Awesome so far!!!

 

[itsid]

Don't mind me,
I'm just gonne leave this here

Kevin, looking great so far

'sid

 

[Functional Artist]

Thanks guys

We need more info (like where are the wheels gonna be - height & width) before we can make the top rails.

So, (movin' right along) next we mounted the rear end & wheels.

Everything looks good & we seem to have pretty good suspension clearance
...but "Houston...we have a problem"

The way that the frame angles outward just a bit, it looks like the driven sprocket & chain are too close to the frame rail & it would be a to move the motor mount.


Maybe I can put 'er back in the bender & "tweak" it over just a bit, so it can run "more" parallel with the swing arm.

 

[Tpdingo]

Ahh.. those tires. Maybe not 36" slicks but they look so much better than if you put knobby tires on...

Interesting take on the suspension. I was afraid you were going to put on some bug huge system that screams OFF-ROAD GO KART*!!!! but no you actually pulled it off. Suspension but pretty subtle that it is there.

Well left brain forced me to make a picture of what is in my head.

*Extended: OFF-ROAD GO KART MATES LOOK AT ME DRIVE UP THESE CURBS LOOK AT ME GO UP THIS LOG LOOK AT ME GO THROUGH THE MUD I MADE A TINY LIFTED TRUCK HUEUEUEUE(if you have ever seen regular car reviews, use his mocking voice for this in your head. THis video at 51 secondshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp1kuo6xkbE&t=52)

 

[Functional Artist]

Ahh.. those tires. Maybe not 36" slicks but they look so much better than if you put knobby tires on...

Interesting take on the suspension. I was afraid you were going to put on some bug huge system that screams OFF-ROAD GO KART*!!!! but no you actually pulled it off. Suspension but pretty subtle that it is there.

Well left brain forced me to make a picture of what is in my head.

As for the tires, I kinda "borrowed" 'em off of the Torsk kart. (just for a minute)
(I kinda like these ribbed tires-looks & performance)

Yup, the suspension is gonna be pretty subtle & hopefully it's dual purpose.
First, it's mainly to cushion the bumps (to my back side) a bit.

Second maybe by letting it "give a bit" if/when necessary, it'll help with the "live axle" steering issues.
(which are made even worse by the additional weight of the battery pack)

Kool pic!

Quite different than what I have in mind, but very kool.

 

[Tpdingo]

As for the tires, I kinda "borrowed" 'em off of the Torsk kart. (just for a minute)
(I kinda like these ribbed tires-looks & performance)

Yup, the suspension is gonna be pretty subtle & hopefully it's dual purpose.
First, it's mainly to cushion the bumps (to my back side) a bit.

Second maybe by letting it "give a bit" if/when necessary, it'll help with the "live axle" steering issues.
(which are made even worse by the additional weight of the battery pack)

Kool pic!

Quite different than what I have in mind, but very kool.

When are you going to do dual motor dual drive config. I think this kart would benefit from that a lot since I doubt the configuration is going to handle a differential due to the way the chassis is laid out.

I thought that was the approach you were taking but I'm interested to see where this goes.

You borrowed the wheels from the Torsk...well I know what is next.

GET TO THE GOPOWERSPORTS.COM!!

 

[Functional Artist]

When are you going to do dual motor dual drive config. I think this kart would benefit from that a lot since I doubt the configuration is going to handle a differential due to the way the chassis is laid out.

I thought that was the approach you were taking but I'm interested to see where this goes.

You borrowed the wheels from the Torsk...well I know what is next.

GET TO THE GOPOWERSPORTS.COM!!

I did dual motors on Double Trouble & !Arriba!

Yup, very powerful, but adds weight, more expensive to build & (I think) dual motors consume ~ twice as much & drain the battery pack faster. (maybe on another kart )

With Damien, I am trying to increase efficiency "by design" ...kinda "do more with less". (If that makes sense)

A sturdy, light weight frame (with a little "give" in the rear) & a powerful little motor.

I am going for a quick little kart with a cushy ride & (hopefully) does "burn outs" & "power slides" too.
(IIRC differentials don't do burn outs too well)

 

[Tpdingo]

I see, your making an all around decent track car. Good on road, good acceleration, drifts good, steering kind of eh. I doubt it will be a huge deal with the battery pack over the axle, most live axle karts still have a 40-50lb engine on there anyway.

Add a decent kingpin angle and it should run fine. You should also add a tire watering system for great drifts anywhere.

Doing less with more, that means I can A LOT MORE with inly more!

 

[Functional Artist]

I see, your making an all around decent track car. Good on road, good acceleration, drifts good, steering kind of eh. I doubt it will be a huge deal with the battery pack over the axle, most live axle karts still have a 40-50lb engine on there anyway.

Add a decent kingpin angle and it should run fine. You should also add a tire watering system for great drifts anywhere.

Doing less with more, that means I can A LOT MORE with inly more!

Yup!

Explain/tell me more about "decent kingpin angle"

Water & electric are not a good combo
...besides we got lots of torque "right off the rip" & we don't have to wait around :toetap05: for it to show up, like on ICE karts.

IDK about that last part?
...must of gotten an early start today?

 

[Tpdingo]

Yup!

Explain/tell me more about "decent kingpin angle"

Water & electric are not a good combo
...besides we got lots of torque "right off the rip" & we don't have to wait around :toetap05: for it to show up, like on ICE karts.

IDK about that last part?
...must of gotten an early start today?

Forgot that electric has the punchy NOW NOW torque, skip the water system.

If you put the kingpin angle set back, the tire will be brought up on one side and will help one of the tires lose traction and turn easier. Just weld the spindles on at an angle backwards.

And for what I meant if you can do more with less, then if you have more you should be able to do ALOT MORE!

And you bet I got an early start.....Woke up at 8:04AM without setting my 8AM alarm!!

 

[Functional Artist]

Forgot that electric has the punchy NOW NOW torque, skip the water system.

If you put the kingpin angle set back, the tire will be brought up on one side and will help one of the tires lose traction and turn easier. Just weld the spindles on at an angle backwards.

And for what I meant if you can do more with less, then if you have more you should be able to do ALOT MORE!

And you bet I got an early start.....Woke up at 8:04AM without setting my 8AM alarm!!

As far as kingpin inclination, on most of my karts, (Desteny's thru !Arriba!) I set up the spindles nearly "square" (90*) with the axle.

On the Torsk kart, I added ~8-10* of (rearward) kingpin inclination & I notice that the steering seems "heavy" & not as easy to turn as my other karts.

Does it really help with (lifting) live axle steering issues?
...does that also apply to a kart with suspension?

* I figured that it just helped "center the wheel" automatically which helped the kart go straight.

 

[Tpdingo]

As far as kingpin inclination, on most of my karts, (Desteny's thru !Arriba!) I set up the spindles nearly "square" (90*) with the axle.

On the Torsk kart, I added ~8-10* of (rearward) kingpin inclination & I notice that the steering seems "heavy" & not as easy to turn as my other karts.

Does it really help with (lifting) live axle steering issues?
...does that also apply to a kart with suspension?

* I figured that it just helped "center the wheel" automatically which helped the kart go straight.

Yeah, and it is helpful on live axle karts. My Dingo has it and it steers pretty good. Otherwise is heavy because the kingpin angle actually lifts one of the rear wheels.it is most helps best with slicks. i have an actual square/0 kingpin angle kart and the steering is super light but it hit a pothole once and steered left into a parked car.
Need a tiny bit of kingpin angle for stability.