2016 - Arachnid

[alexV]

Does someone have a couple of wheel hubs to spare?

Like these: http://www.bmikarts.com/4-x-4-Billet-Aluminum-Wheel-Hub-1-14-Bore_p_1647.html

Only cheaper

 

[alexV]

Day 7:
Best news of all, the engine DOES fit. With the sprockets and chain I realized the engine should go way back.

 

[landuse]

Looking good alex

 

[alexV]

Previously I had negative remarks about this design, and I wish to re-evaluate that. The Arachnid design is not "wrong" so far, although dad still disagrees. Furthermore, I think it looks great, which is the reason I paid for it in the first place. Any tech issue along the way are welcomed I still have the front suspension part to tackle.

 

[alexV]

Lastly, a close-up of the sprocket and hubs; the other red hub is for the brake disc. They're from Ebay from outside the country, very light aluminium, and somewhat expensive. The 60 links chain is too short.

The rest of the day I did rewelds and other small touch-ups. Getting ready to set up the rear suspension and the seat.

 

[Desertduler]

Previously I had negative remarks about this design, and I wish to re-evaluate that. The Arachnid design is not "wrong" so far, although dad still disagrees. Furthermore, I think it looks great, which is the reason I paid for it in the first place. Any tech issue along the way are welcomed I still have the front suspension part to tackle.

Looking great Alex! my only concern is what I stated before is about the rear pivot points not having enough bearing surface or bearing material at that location,but you said that you were going to fix that.

 

[alexV]

Thank you!

Still need the rear hubs. If anyone can help with plans, or actual hubs, or an idea, I would very much appreciate it

 

[alexV]

Looking great Alex! my only concern is what I stated before is about the rear pivot points not having enough bearing surface or bearing material at that location,but you said that you were going to fix that.

After I get it rolling, yes
For now I replaced the fully threaded bolts with partial threaded.

 

[alexV]

What battery should I fit?

They're all 12V slim type, and I need enough Amps to turn the engine. Ranging between 4A and 12A, how many Amps is good enough?

 

[OzFab]

Well, this manual (page 16) suggests 14-30Ah but this manual (also page 16) suggests at least 18Ah so... your guess is as good as mine

If you can find the amperage draw of the starter, that would help considerably...

 

[alexV]

Good find, thanks!
Keep in mind that Ampere-hour (Ah) is a measure of capacity, like you see on your phone battery. Naturally a bulkier battery has a bigger capacity.

The energy delivered, on the other hand, is a product of instant voltage and instant intensity. Since the voltage is 12V constant, the question is how many Amps (A) are needed to get enough energy to turn the engine.

The practical approach: go to a moped shop, see which battery can start my engine, order one

 

[alexV]

Day 8, a day of learning

Two tasks were done: fitting the seat, sort of.... And reconditioning the suspension, well sort of..
Check the pics

In one day I managed to fit three out of four screws; I complained awhile back about the seat

 

[alexV]

On to suspension: Drilled the side of the shock, took out the old used oil. In the second pic, that was all the oil Replaced it, then tried to weld up the hole. Not a chance in the world, just burned a larger hole ...

A different approach was needed. With some effort - as seen in the youtube vid - we unscrewed the other shock, and drilled the top. A way better and successful approach. Drilling was still req'd, but a gasket and teflon tape dit the job and reseal the shock.

The front suspension was good, just cleaned and repainted the coil springs. Now I have three good ones, and a problem

 

[alexV]

volume warning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FtOGPZaZTM

 

[landuse]

I think you are doing a good job there alex. I cannot help you with what to do with the shock though

 

[johnsonr81]

Great looking kart man! I really thought about going with the Arachnid when I was looking for one to build. Decided to go with the Granddaddy though so I could ride around with my son. Good luck on the rest of your build!

 

[alexV]

Thank you. In hindsight, a single seat kart is pretty selfish, you cannot share the fun

 

[alexV]

Days 9, 10 and 11, a few hours work in total.

First, I fixed the rear suspension using a plastic pipe, teflon tape and some kind of strong glue. Now I realized I can mock-up the back of this kart, so I did I'm very pleased with it so far. At this stage, there are little things which take alot of time. For example: making brackets out of angle iron, and many others.

Next I started on the A-arms. I cut the wide angles with the chop saw like you see in the pictures. Next I welded the arms. The bushings on the arms were made in a lathe. It's best to befriend someone with a lathe when you work on a go-kart

 

[alexV]

Almost all the parts are here. I would like to thank my friend Mihai, who delivered the brand new 8.5 inch steering rack from the US

Other parts include a second hand hydraulic brake system (pump, caliper, disc, hydraulic line), steering rods, U-joint, heim joints. Of course, almost none of them are a good fit: imperial vs metric units, motorcycle disc with kart hub, so on

My impression is the progress kind of slows down when you near the finish.

Next is the front end, so hopefully I can see this thing rolling within a month (if I can get a couple of rear hubs)

Cheers!

 

[Poboy kartman]

So true....I get most of my projects to 90%.....then.....it's years...(if ever) that they get completed.....