Wheel Question

[Speedster]

Hi! I am planning a go kart. One of my biggest issues is finding cheap drive wheels. They need to not be slick, and they need to lock onto the axle. (It will be a live axle system.) One of the best candidates seems to be the front wheels off of a lawn mower, as they are cheap, easy to find, the right size, and knobby. The one issue is that they would just spin on the axle, as that is what they are designed for. Not propelling slapped together go-karts at high speeds down dirt roads. Does anyone know of ways to lock them onto the axle so that they don't spin? Thanks.
BTW, the tire size I am thinking is 11x6.00-5.

 

[Speedster]

Ok, I have another question. A really dumb one. I am looking for front wheels. I do not want them to be knobby, neither do I want them to be slick. I want them to have grooves circling the tire, but none going sideways, to achieve a vintage look. However, I can't find them, and have NO CLUE WHAT THEY ARE CALLED! I know I have seen them before. I am attaching a picture of ones that are similar to what I am looking for, but they are solid. I want them to be pneumatic. I also want them to be real narrow. Wow... what a lot of "I wants". Hopefully you will forgive me for that, and the long-windedness of these two questions. Thanks!

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[Rat]

Hi! I am planning a go kart. One of my biggest issues is finding cheap drive wheels. They need to not be slick, and they need to lock onto the axle. (It will be a live axle system.) One of the best candidates seems to be the front wheels off of a lawn mower, as they are cheap, easy to find, the right size, and knobby. The one issue is that they would just spin on the axle, as that is what they are designed for. Not propelling slapped together go-karts at high speeds down dirt roads. Does anyone know of ways to lock them onto the axle so that they don't spin? Thanks.
BTW, the tire size I am thinking is 11x6.00-5.

Absolutely not possible to do SAFELY.

You'd be better off using 4bolt 8" golf cart wheels, or even 4wheeler wheels.

I do have a set of four steel 5" (irrc) 2piece cart wheels, which would need a second driver hub sourced for use on a live axle. They've just been kicked around the garage because the tires are trash and I've had better things to do than fuss with them.

 

[Speedster]

Absolutely not possible to do SAFELY.

Safety is not a concern!

 

[Speedster]

You'd be better off using 4bolt 8" golf cart wheels, or even 4wheeler wheels.

I thought of those, but thought they would both be too big.

 

[Rat]

Safety is not a concern!

With a 50mph goal, it damned well should be.

I thought of those, but thought they would both be too big.

8" golf cart wheels No, 4wheeler maybe but that depends on the tires and final drive gearing used to turn them.

 

[Denny]

For those speeds you’re going to need a speed rated tire. Not an off road tire. And quality bearings. Think trailer tires!

 

[Rat]

I thought of those, but thought they would both be too big.

I'm running 18" motorcycle rims on a build which is geared 5.4:1 behind a 30 series on a mildly built 208. I say mild despite what all has been done simply because I didn't build it with a target speed more than 45mph. It moves well enough to be fun, and has enough torque and traction to pull the nose up from a dead stop or even low speed roll (10mph or less).

Keep in mind the rims are also heavy antique japanese steel dirt rims.
By the time a 2.50-18 street tire goes on the rolling diameter is 23.98"

You're overthinking the "too big" part a little bit.

 

[panchothedog]

Drive wheels and cheap don't really go together. The front wheels you are looking at belong on a child's pull wagon. 5" rims on a kart with no suspension being driven off road is going to beat you to death in 5 minutes or less. By your own admission you don't know squat, and boy does it show. Wise up and take the advice people are trying to give you. Buy a tired used kart and fix it up. If you are going to be using it off road, then get one with suspension front and rear. Your butt and back will thank you.

 

[Speedster]

With a 50mph goal, it damned well should be.

I guess what I should have said is, I will work functionality out first, then worry about making it safe. And I will be wearing a helmet. If I remember to put it on. So probably like 5% of the time!

For those speeds you’re going to need a speed rated tire. Not an off road tire. And quality bearings. Think trailer tires!

I wouldn't be going those speeds often. Probably 30mph most often. I was thinking turf tires would work ok. Right?

5" rims on a kart with no suspension being driven off road is going to beat you to death in 5 minutes or less.

I live on a gravel road that is pretty smooth. I want it mainly to cruise around the roads, burn tires, drift, and have fun. So nothing aggressive.

 

[Denny]

When that gator smacks you in the back of the head at 50mph you can come and tell us all about it. Assuming your not paralyzed from the neck down or dead.

 

[Speedster]

When that gator smacks you in the back of the head at 50mph you can come and tell us all about it. Assuming your not paralyzed from the neck down or dead.

Sorry... "that gator"??

 

[Speedster]

Wise up and take the advice people are trying to give you. Buy a tired used kart and fix it up.

Thanks guys for the advice, I am sure it is very good and worth listening to. I respect it, and am very grateful. HOWEVER, I am determined to go the foolish route of building my own, frame and all. It might be a long and hard road, but that is what I plan to do. I understand it is not the best idea for a beginner. I will let you know how bad it goes. 'Till I achieve, or fail, please bear with me and continue to help! I really appreciate it. Thanks!!

 

[BaconBitRacing]

Well if that's the way you go, so be it. Check out TNThomas's thread, that's real craftsmanship. Hack's Frankenbuggy, too. Remember, part of functionality is safety!

 

[Speedster]

Well if that's the way you go, so be it. Check out TNThomas's thread, that's real craftsmanship. Hack's Frankenbuggy, too. Remember, part of functionality is safety!

I will check out those threads. And if you got the impression that I don't care about safety, I should have been more careful. It will end up being the safest kart on the roads. I will definitely install curtain airbags. At least driver airbags. In all seriousness, don't worry! I'll be as safe as I can. And when and if I get it built, before I go to 50mph, (if I think it can) I will post pics and specs, so you guys can tell me if you think it would be safe. I sure appreciate the help!

 

[Denny]

Enter the build off.

 

[Rat]

I am stubborn and love the challenge of doing what "can't be done" most specifically when there is no legitimate reason to why without a work around.
You can't do that, it won't work. WATCH ME!!

I have no issues with questionably safe, I've been welding long enough to trust my weld more than the materials I might weld... but there are some corners one MUST NOT CUT.
Wheels and tires are at the top of that list because they are they are the first component of suspension that determines how fast, how much traction, etc... and generally speaking also the weakest link in the entire rig.
If a wheel comes apart because you modified it, you may not live to tell about it.
If a tire let's go at speed because it's only rated for 10mph you may not live to tell about it.
It's no joke; if you insist on being suicidal then suit yourself but You need stop asking for advice and doing the opposite if that's the road you choose.

My 208 build has so much torque and traction it gave me no choice but to build hybrid motorcycle wheels... it would rip the valve stem off the rear tube EVERY SINGLE RIDE, which was more expensive than upgrading just like cheap TC belts versus a genuine comet belt.

One thing about this forum is that bad advice is never given without good advice being hot behind it.

 

[Speedster]

I am stubborn and love the challenge of doing what "can't be done" most specifically when there is no legitimate reason to why without a work around.
You can't do that, it won't work. WATCH ME!!

That sounds like me. Also, I learn best by figuring things out.

If a wheel comes apart because you modified it, you may not live to tell about it.
If a tire let's go at speed because it's only rated for 10mph you may not live to tell about it.

I am mainly worried about the bearings, I will most probably upgrade them. And I will take my chance on the tires, I don't think they will explode or anything. (Hopefully.) I have seen a couple videos where people modified their mowers to go 60-70mph, with the original turf tires. I think THAT is crazy. Realistically, I probably won't go above 45mph, and then only rarely. I just want to have that option.

My 208 build has so much torque and traction it gave me no choice but to build hybrid motorcycle wheels... it would rip the valve stem off the rear tube EVERY SINGLE RIDE, which was more expensive than upgrading just like cheap TC belts versus a genuine comet belt.

That is sweet! Sounds like so much fun. I am sure you are rightly proud of it.

It's no joke; if you insist on being suicidal then suit yourself but You need stop asking for advice and doing the opposite if that's the road you choose.

All I wanted to know is how to fix the wheels to the axle so that they don't spin! ()

Thanks for the patience and advice!

 

[Denny]

Buy the correct wheels or hubs.

 

[Rat]

All I wanted to know is how to fix the wheels to the axle so that they don't spin! ()

Thanks for the patience and advice!

This has been answered... Just get the right wheels to begin with.

I have a set I'm not going to use, I'll get them broken down and cleaned up a bit, then share pics. They are actual kart wheels and while they came off an open wheel, it would only require a second drive hub being added (4 identical wheels in which any one of can be used front or rear)