1st time building Go Kart. Ideas Help!

[pikapo]

Hi i want to build a go cart out of my old craftsman lawnmower. Im not looking to go really fast but around 40 - 60 kmH would be nice.

Its a vertical drive motor but it has the self propel feature which means there is a mini tranny hooked up to pulleys and belts to the shaft. Would the tranny be strong enough?
What pully size would i need to make it go a decent speed?


Also i dont got a welder or know how to. But can i use 1 inch black iron pipe and thread it and wrench it together? would it be strong enough? Gonna be a simple frame.

Is there any sites out there that show you how to build a simple steering contraption?


Thanks.

 

[KieranM]

that tranny wont hold up, let alone get you to 40mph, those speeds are only reached by shifter karts, although clones have reached those speeds.

And you frame needs to be welded its a must, although some have tried nuts and bolts

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4587&highlight=bolted+frame


this will help you alot since you are new to karts

http://www.bcot1.com/karting/

 

[motor_head]

get a welder and learn how to weld. frames aren't bolted together for a reason, things tend to rattle loose and fall apart

 

[fowler]

i dont see why 40 kph is rediculus to reach
but u must learn to weld
there are some mods u can do to the tranny to make it work at that speed

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Keiran- That was 40 KILOMETRES, not miles. 40K is about 25mph. Totally doable.
Pikapo- I hate to say it, but you're going to need a new powerplant. While 1" SCH40 pipe may be strong enough, the weak ink is the threaded connections. The threads are tapered, which makes them very weak at the ends. Steering's easy. Search around here.

 

[pikapo]

Keiran- That was 40 KILOMETRES, not miles. 40K is about 25mph. Totally doable.
Pikapo- I hate to say it, but you're going to need a new powerplant. While 1" SCH40 pipe may be strong enough, the weak ink is the threaded connections. The threads are tapered, which makes them very weak at the ends. Steering's easy. Search around here.

That is true about the tapering and weak points. As for the tranny, im not sure waht else to do. Anyone know if any parts form a washer or dryer or dish washer might work as a tranny? I know vertical engines are very complicated.

**** i thought i might of scored with the self propelled on the mower

 

[devino246]

That is true about the tapering and weak points. As for the tranny, im not sure waht else to do. Anyone know if any parts form a washer or dryer or dish washer might work as a tranny? I know vertical engines are very complicated.

**** i thought i might of scored with the self propelled on the mower

Vertical engines arent complicated. It would be easier and mabe even cheaper to just buy a horizontal shaft engine.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Honestly, if the application of a vertical shaft engine were easy, cheap, or quick, most homebuilt go karts would use them because of the mass availability.

 

[KieranM]

that tranny is not designed to reach speeds over 10-15mph. 40kph aint a ridiculous speed, but a kart thats not even welded to reach over 40kph, is something i dont want to be involved in, seriously mate learn to weld.