Advice/opinions?

[Ryafor]

As I stated in my intro.I don't really know anything g about this stuff but...... I found this gocart and I want to do some mods. More less I wanna do them just to bond with the kids but the mods I do I want to show some results or improvement or the kids will just think it was pointless. Anyhow seeing as I don't know much I planned on doing easy things. I have this same cart

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11748&highlight=wolf+garten

I planned on putting 16s on the back for tires and putting the back 13s on the front and swapping the drive pulley. Same as the original poster did with the pulley. But then I read this on his thread.

My thing went ok but I'm kinda kicking myself for not doing more practice driving because I would have noticed how much it struggled up hill. Seriously it really struggled which sucked. But downhill and on the flat sections it was great. Actually downhill it was as fast as anything else. The combination of the switched pulley and bigger rear wheels was just too much, I over geared it if that's the correct term. If I had done more driving I could have switched the pulley back, giving me a bit more acceleration. Oh well there's always next year.*

Where I take them to ride it is grassy. There's a few slopes. Not big but sorta steep. Gearing etc all confuses me. Just wondering. Should I not change the pulley? Not go for bigger tires? I'm trying to make the cart a bit faster with minimal effort. It doesnt have to fly. I was thinking about removing the govenor but I keep reading mixed opinions on the subject. I would remove it but only if I don't have to change any other parts and like I said. Any post I read about removing govenor's always comes with a ton of drama. So.... leave the pulley as is or switch it? Swap tires or leave them? Do both pulley and tire swap? I wish I could get ahold of the original guy that had the mow cart. I'd like to know if after the pulley swap if he needed a bigger belt and if so what size and where he got it. I've included a pic of the pulley. Looks easy enough to just flip. It also looks like it has a bar to keep the pulley from slipping altho I may have to cut out the old one that keeps it from falling off now.

Ahh what the heck, just outta curiosity......
If I did chose to remove the govenor is it safe to do so without replacing any other parts, ie springs, fly wheel etc or whatever else I read that should be replaced

 

[Denny]

I've never seen anything like that kind of kart/mower thing. One piece of advise though do not start multiple posts on the same subject.

Denny

 

[Ryafor]

Thanks. I accidentally posted this in the fans and tried deleting it but not sure I can just delete the entire thread. And now after reading another thread I was curious as to why changing the pulley and tires for the other guy may have been a bad idea. You're right tho. Probably shoulda just stuck to one thread. Regardless of the mower/cart thing I think the principals should all be the same with most carts. Just unsure as to why changing the pulley and tires makes a difference. It's winter here right now and I don't have a garage so anything I do will have to wait til spring or summer. Maybe I'll just do the pulley swap to start with and see how it goes since it pretty much costs nothing and is reversable. Unless I have to buy a belt. Just don't wanna cut any of the pulley gaurds if I wanna put it back.

 

[OzFab]

Thanks. I accidentally posted this in the fans and tried deleting it but not sure I can just delete the entire thread.

All sorted, other thread deleted... which can only be done by a moderator/admin...

And now after reading another thread I was curious as to why changing the pulley and tires for the other guy may have been a bad idea.

Regardless of the mower/cart thing I think the principals should all be the same with most carts. Just unsure as to why changing the pulley and tires makes a difference.

It's all about gearing; reading this thread may give you a better idea...

Let me guess, it has a gearbox kinda like this:

correct? If so, to keep the top speed low, use it; if you want a higher top speed, do away with the gearbox & engine, bolt a predator on there with either a torque converter or centrifugal clutch & a larger diff sprocket...

 

[Ryafor]

Yeah I guess the gear box is simular. I wish I knew more about this stuff. I would probably have alot more fun and better ideas. I don't need it racing fast. Would just like to increase the speed a bit. I had a riding mower I used to use to cut the my lawn. It probably went just as fast as this thing but do you think the kids cared about it? Lol its because it looks like a go cart that sparks their interest. I just wanna do simple modes to increase the speak. Nothing drastic. It's cold and wet out so I'll try to include some pics I already have or if they'll work some pics I screen shot from YouTube videos. First pic is just of the mower/cart. You can sorta see the gear box. Next if they work is a pic of the pulley I wanna flip. I rotated the pic upside down from how I took it. Third pic (not likely to work) is a screen shot from a youtube video of under the entire cart. I'm wondering what the pulley in between the 2 the belts are on is for? Looks like a tensioner. I think without it there I could get away with using the same size belt? Any idea what it is or does and if I need it? OK so third pic from the screen shot isn't uploading. I'm new to forums aswell so will have to figer out a way to post it

 

[Ryafor]

Well that didn't work out so well. That image is kids getting repeatative. Sorry. But maybe this worked.

 

[OzFab]

I'm wondering what the pulley in between the 2 the belts are on is for? Looks like a tensioner.

Correct, it's the clutch idler; as you release the clutch pedal, the idler moves closer to engage the belt...

 

[Ryafor]

When I push the gas pedal. The pedal on this thing works like a normal gas pedal. You push it in and it goes. Sorry you're going to have to have some patience with me but thanks. This is all new to me and is basically a foreign language. Anyhow when I got this cart I saw the pulleys and thought by swapping the one I could go faster. I started googling and found this forum. I found a thread where here someone had the same cart and same idea. Apparently he did the swap but didn't give any details. He said he flipped the pulley tho. Never said anything about the other pulleys/tensioner etc or if he had to get a bigger belt or anything. He uploaded these pics tho. So..... when spring comes and I start taking stuff apart what do I do or need? That thread is closed so I can't just ask there. But, when I flip the pulley so the bigger side is the drive pulley, do I still need that idler pulley? Will I need a bigger belt? I have a few other ideas to run by you guys but this is my starting point. I don't wanna replace the engine or anything. The kids are happy doing 10km but if I can get 20-25kmph I'd feel accomplished so what steps do I take to do this pulley swap? Any help is appreciated and thanks again cheers

Ps. Pretty sure the belt in the pic below is the deck belt. I don't have that belt. The deck was removed already on my cart. I think my belt will be going from the pulley behind the back axel to to other pulley shown in the pic above altho I'm sure you already know that

 

[Ryafor]

Also was I correct in think in in the pic above that shows all the pulleys that that is a cable going to the idler pulley? Really I just need to know how to hook this thing up but I like learning about stuff to I'm working on so any sort of brief explanation of how it works aswell it beneficial

 

[Ryafor]

I did a bit of reading and think I have some understanding ND if I'm correct that's how the cart gets its speed? That pulley tightens the belt making it go faster or slower? I looked into a predator motor and by the time I buy a motor and clutch I cold buy a used drifter go cart that has a new 7hp champion motor for roughly the same price. I actually really want the drifter cart but sadly Santa's pockets are still hurting from Christmas. Hopefully it's still available in 2 months. Still not sure what to do about this pulley situation.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Oh Kanada. oh Kanada.......(get the ever so subtle hint?) Just in case: do you plan on shopping with this "thing"?????

 

[Ryafor]

The Kart cart?

 

[Ryafor]

Let me guess, it has a gearbox kinda like this:

correct? If so, to keep the top speed low, use it; if you want a higher top speed, do away with the gearbox & engine, bolt a predator on there with either a torque converter or centrifugal clutch & a larger diff sprocket...

I started looking into changing around the engine. I'll have to check the kart out better in the spring to see what there is to work with. Aside from brakes so far to switch it over I would have this on my shopping list....

Engine
Clutch
Sprocket
Sprocket hub
Chain
Throttle cable

Anything else I'm forgetting? Aside from fasteners etc. In the mean time I think I'll just do the pulley swap for now

 

[OzFab]

You shouldn't need a sprocket hub, the current sprocket is attached to the diff housing...

The disadvantage to the engine swap I didn't mention is that you will lose reverse...

As for flipping the pulley (as mentioned in post #8), that will increase speed but, yes, you will need a bigger belt to compensate for the larger pulley...

You could also try to find a larger sprocket for the gearbox...

If you don't use the idler, either the belt will always slip or the engine will stall when the kart stops...

 

[Ryafor]

You shouldn't need a sprocket hub, the current sprocket is attached to the diff housing...ops

Could I just replace that sprocket? I was thinking of a 72 tooth sprocket altho I'll probably have to do something cutting to make room and probably get bigger rear tires and put the rears on the front like I had planned. I knew I'd lose reverse. Kinda sucks put it'll be easy to lift ant twist

 

[OzFab]

Could I just replace that sprocket?

Of course you can; there are lots of riding mowers out there which use that axle; finding a larger sprocket to suit shouldn't be too difficult...

I was thinking of a 72 tooth sprocket

Good thinking

 

[Ryafor]

I live in Canada so I haven't been able to find a predator engine yet. Well I did find one but it was like 5 hours away. Thanks to your advice and tips I may just go with a new engine. When the warmer weather gets here I'll have a better look how things are setup. In the meantime I'm learning little by little and between now and summer I'll keep an eye out for sales on engines. I'd rather spend the extra and get a new engine with a warranty rather than used and that I have no clue if anything wrong with it seeing as idk much at all. Basically my shopping options I know of for engines are Home Depot, princess auto, TSC, Canadian Tire and maybe a few other hardware stores. I'll just be on the lookout between now and then. I could get a used kart for the price to rebuild this on probably but it's an experience for the kids and if I buy something here and something there over time will of set the cost. Just gotta see how the sprocket on it is actually on it. Idk how to weld but have a friend that does and has a welder if need be. He's the type of guy that'll try to take over my project tho lol and id rather him show me how even if my welds end up looking like chewed bubble gum. I'm not really sure how I like the steering tho. I saw a youtube video of someone with the same cart and it works with a chain aswell.

As far as the diff goes..... do you think I should try to lock it? Not by welding it but I'm sure there's another way.

 

[OzFab]

Just gotta see how the sprocket on it is actually on it.

Unfortunately, removing the sprocket involves removing the axle from the kart (let's call it that ) then removing the left wheel & bearing, then remove the four bolts from the diff housing...

Idk how to weld

This project shouldn't invole any welding, unless you need to cover the existing engine hole...

Even if that is the case, a plate can be bolted in place...

As far as the diff goes..... do you think I should try to lock it? Not by welding it but I'm sure there's another way.

No, locking the diff will, effectively, make it a live axle, then you need to upgrade the steering...

If it's only for the kids, leave the diff centre alone...

 

[Ryafor]

Yep. I figured I'd have to remove the axel. I would quote everything in sections in my reply like you did but it's a p.i.t.a on my cell. I just wasn't sure how the sprocket was fixed on so wasn't sure how I'd get the other one on. I was thinking it may have been a few bolts as I did see sprockets online that bolt on but when I was making a list of stuff I was only looking on princess autos site and their sprockets, at least the ones I saw went on a hub. I'm guessing tho I'll have to order a sprocket online. I rather just get everything from a store but I can find it online. The welding will eventually be needed. Maybe not for this part but I do wanna strengthen the steering up a bit. Make it feel more solid. If you had the cart you'd know what I mean. I'll leave the diff. Lol just cause I say it's for the kids doesn't mean I won't ride it to. You've been a great help so far. I really appreciate it. As for the engine hole..... that's just we it reduction I may need to cover it tho. I'll see when I get there. Right now it's all just ideas floating around.

 

[Ryafor]

Any suggestions for brakes? Can I extend the axel by welding on a sleeve or something and where would I put it? The reason I ask is because I'm thinking with the differential I will need 2 sets of brakes on the back or my kids just may end up spinning out or flipping or something. There isn't really any room on the side of the diff to put a rotor for that tire. I was thinking of a dual hydraulic brake setup like this maybe? I new I shoulda bought that chinese atv for $100 just for parts. This I believe is a front hydraulic brake setup for probably a 110cc Chinese atv