First Kart Project

[Stratogeezer]

Hey folks - I decided I needed a winter project - so I decided to build this kart....it's as simple as that.

I drew up my own plans - after watching a lot of YouTube projects that people have posted. Those were extremely helpful - especially those posted by the "T-man" - his videos are fantastic.

My design is pretty boring I admit, possibly with the exception of the suspension unit on the rear end. But hey - it's my first kart. The engine is will be the 6.5 from Harbor Freight that everyone on the planet seems to get.

I also was given a "junker" kart that I'm brining back to life - I'll include some photos of that project separately.

Anyway - take a look and give me your thoughts, comments and/or suggestions - much appreciated!

 

[bajagokart]

looks like a pretty solid go kart you got there, especially for designing it yourself! nice work! keep us posted on how the build goes!

 

[BriggsTwins]

more pictures

 

[Stratogeezer]

Here's a shot with the back wheels on for the first time. I need to figure out how to position the two shocks, and get the angle right, so that when I sit in it - it provides good suspension. Once I do, I'll weld the shock brackets into place.

Or I may try to weld in the top brackets, and weld a plate with several holes about an inch apart at a the bottom - so I can adjust the angle if I don't get it right the first time.

I'm not sure about using those wide tires (shown not mounted) for the front....I may go with taller, thinner front wheels. The rear wheels are small trailer tires from Northern.

 

[BriggsTwins]

lookin good

 

[motor_head]

id go with wider tires on the back for more traction

 

[bajagokart]

how big of engine are you putting on that thing?

 

[jmadden91]

how big of engine are you putting on that thing?

The engine is will be the 6.5 from Harbor Freight that everyone on the planet seems to get.

Looking good mate, If you want some more go, pick up a bike engine

 

[Stratogeezer]

id go with wider tires on the back for more traction

Well - I decided on the thinner tires because I have 2 golf carts - and I know bigger tires are heavier, slow things down, and require more power. Not that I'll be racing....but the ones I picked up are small trailer tires....should scoot that thing around pretty well. The fat tires for the front (pictured but not mounted) that I have now are questionable. I may get some thinner ones up front too.

 

[Stratogeezer]

Here 's a few pictures with the shocks mounted (temporarily) tacked in place. I put my full weight on the frame where the seat will go - to get some idea if I got the angle of the shocks right.

Pretty close - but I think I need to move them a bit. Good thing I just tacked them in place - versus welding the crap out of them before testing it.

 

[BriggsTwins]

oooooo looks good

 

[ironman]

reminds me of the old greenfrog kart. that i think jerry assbuger built..was looking for a picture but most of the old post pictures are gone.from the past years..

 

[dpaxson]

Hats off to you for building this yourself, but I'm not following the logic behind the hinged frame you've got going there. Is there a precedent for such a design? In trying to mentally picture this kart off road, and without any desire to be rude, I've got to say I don't think that is going to work at all.

Of course, you can prove me wrong.

furyus

thats just a swingarm type suspension setup. it's big because the engine has to be mounted on it. lots of people use this type of suspension

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

My two cents - what do I know?

furyus

Exactly...

This is a very very common suspension for simple karts, the unsprung weight of the engine mounted on the swing arm is a downfall, but it is still much better than a solid rear end.

 

[newrider3]

I admit I'm not an engineer, but regardless, that design doesn't look like it is going to be effective whatsoever. The "swingarm" looks to be a very weak link and the shocks look to be in a completely ineffective position. I can't imagine a use for this kart where it would be beneficial to have a swingarm set up like this. My two cents - what do I know?

furyus

Search around a bit; many many karts use a simple swingarm suspension such as this for a low budget or smaller setup.

 

[BriggsTwins]

it will keep the rubber to the gound thats all that matters

 

[Stratogeezer]

id go with wider tires on the back for more traction

I finally saw the light and returned those thin trailer tires to Northern, and exchanged them for a pair of knobby wider tires for the back. This think is going to be driving around in the North GA mountains - on gravel roads and such.

And let's face it - they look much more in place on this cart than the thinner ones did!

 

[motor_head]

yeah i wouldn't have wanted those other tires unless i only drove on pavement even on gravel bigger tires are nice and they do look better

 

[T-man]

hay strato
thanks for the compliments on my videos. That rear end looks good and strong. its big also so in the event that you want to go with a larger engine you'll have the room to play around with, plus room for batteries for lights and extra fuel can. You'll want that stuff if your going on the back trails. I am just waiting for the weather to clear up, get warmer and get a new camera then I'll start putting out some videos of me driving my stuff.

 

[Stratogeezer]

hay thanks for the compliments on my videos.

Hey - thank you T-man. It was thanks to watching your T-kart and A-Kart videos that I figured out what steel to get, how to clean it, how to bevel, tack and weld it into my own creation.

To your point about adding a bigger engine later...I'm thinking I may want to see what I can find now - because I'm a concerned with this kart frame at it's current weight that the Harbor 6.5 engine may barely be enough power.

I actually bought a Briggs 8.5 on clearance at Northern for like $250 which was a good deal - but - it was set up to be used with a pump or mixer...and the shaft was no good for go kart use - so I took it back. Who knows...maybe that 6.5 will be just fine.