Beginner with a few questions

[Szigtopher]

Hey guys me and my brother plan on building a go kart together and have a few easy questions (we hope!)

Also we plan on using the 6.5 harbor freight predator engine, 3/4 bore clutch, metal frame, #35 chain, 60t sproket fixed axel, and more.

Questions!
-how does the sproket attach to the rear axel? Is it welded bolted or what especially if we make our own axel from piping.
-the clutch just attaches right to the engine camshaft right? There is no additional hardware needed?
-if we make our own axel and weld nuts onto the ends the wheels just attach onto it by a bolt through the hub correct?
-lastly all my gearing ratios seem correct and with a lighter cart we could push around 30mph in a 1 seater and we weigh about 170?

Thanks guys! First post!

 

[Szigtopher]

Oh and how do the axels attach to the frame? Is it beat to use some sort of axel hanger and could someone post a pic or DIY of that thanks!

 

[Dantej]

FIrst of all the sprocket usually attatches by a hub
the cluth does just go on the engine shaft from my knowledge
and i dont understand what your concept of the axle is and i cant help you out with gear ratios
to attatch the axle to the frame you can use a pillow block bearing or a hanger set

 

[Poboy kartman]

The sprocket is usually bolted to the hub of one rear wheel. The clutch should slide right on a 3/4 shaft and have a bolt and washer to hold it on. A 60 tooth sprocket with a standard centrifugal clutch (10 teeth, I think), is a pretty common set up. Whether it's right for you or not , also depends on tire size.
I'm thinking you may have a misconception about the axles.They don't rotate they are pretty much just like boat trailer axels.The wheels have bearings and turn on them, so they are pretty much just spindles welded into square tubing and in most cases are just big bolts with the heads cut off.

 

[OzFab]

That's mostly correct but:

-how does the sproket attach to the rear axel?

Correct, you use a hub...

Is it welded bolted or what especially if we make our own axel from piping.

Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever weld anything to an axle!

-the clutch just attaches right to the engine camshaft right? There is no additional hardware needed?

No, it attaches to the crankshaft or PTO shaft (the one protruding from the side)

-if we make our own axel and weld nuts onto the ends the wheels just attach onto it by a bolt through the hub correct?

IMO, bad idea because:
1. sourcing the correct size bearings & hubs may prove difficult
2. the metal used for hollow axles is not just run of the mill piping, it's hardened & treated
3. getting it dead straight & keeping it that way may also prove difficult.

My advice: Bite the bullet & fork out for a real axle; don't cheap out on safety...

Oh and how do the axels attach to the frame? Is it beat to use some sort of axel hanger and could someone post a pic or DIY of that thanks!

As explained, either by pillow blocks or hangers & flange type bearings

 

[OzFab]

...a standard centrifugal clutch (10 teeth, I think)

Nope. Did you catch the bit about #35 chain? A standard #35 clutch has 12 teeth

I'm thinking you may have a misconception about the axles.They don't rotate they are pretty much just like boat trailer axels.The wheels have bearings and turn on them, so they are pretty much just spindles welded into square tubing and in most cases are just big bolts with the heads cut off.

Unless I misunderstood, I think he's talking about the rear axle not the front spindles

 

[Doc Sprocket]

What Poboy is describing is a dead axle arrangement. Only one rear wheel is driven by the engine. The "axle" basically consists of two spindles (not unlike the front spindles) and the rear wheels freewheel on them. Using a hub, the sprocket is bolted directly to the left rear wheel.

The alternative is a live axle arrangement. Using bearings mounted to the frame, the entire rear axleshaft spins. The sprocket may be mounted anywhere along this shaft, and both wheels are driven.

 

[Szigtopher]

Ok thank you everyone! Can someone point me in the direction of where to buy the axel and the correct hub to attach the sprocket to a wheel. Also, where is a good place to buy wheels? Can I just use some of the harbor freight wheels that are around 11in

 

[OzFab]

Ok thank you everyone! Can someone point me in the direction of where to buy the axel and the correct hub to attach the sprocket to a wheel. Also, where is a good place to buy wheels?

A location would help with that; otherwise there are several online stores, BMI is a favorite.

Can I just use some of the harbor freight wheels that are around 11in

If they're the ones I'm thinking of, not a good idea

 

[Szigtopher]

Ok so where is a good place to source cheap wheels?

 

[chris_the_poser]

Where do you live and we can help from there

 

[landuse]

Don't use HF wheels. They suck big time

 

[OzFab]

Don't use HF wheels. They suck big time

That's how bad they are, they know how bad they are in South Africa

 

[landuse]

That's how bad they are, they know how bad they are in South Africa

And we use wooden wheels. Have you ever tried to put bearings in wooden wheels? It's a btch!!

 

[buckwheat]

Hello- I fixed my yard kart & helped a friend make repairs to his kid's kart. I bought most of my parts from Manufacturer's Supply. They have a good selection of parts & their prices were competitive. Make up your list & buy it at one time. They pay for shipping so that includes axles, bearings, wheels, and tires.
Link: http://www.mfgsupply.com/

 

[OzFab]

Great input buckwheat That's the sort of thing we're looking for around here

 

[Szigtopher]

Thanks guys and I'm located near Seattle, WA if that helps for locally. Me and my brother want to do this as a fun project and have little welding experience but we want to try to takle it this summer and fall. Since I've worked on car engines I'm pretty sure I have most of the technical bits down just confused about the entire axel thing. But if someone could link anything about how to put the axel assembly together or a good video about t that'd be awsome!

 

[Cole Tallerman]

The axle is solid steel with a key-way that runs through the whole thing:http://www.bmikarts.com/1-Steel-Live-Axle_p_517.html. Your sprocket will also need a hub that connects it to the axle like this: http://www.bmikarts.com/Steel-Mini-Hub-w-1-Bore-_p_1404.html. The sprocket hub also has a keyway that you will need to line up with the axle keyway and slip in a piece of 1/4"x1/4" steel as a key. The key makes the axle and sprocket spin as one. For the wheels, you will need similar hubs like for your sprocket. Just make sure that the bolt holes in the hub match the bolt holes on the wheels that you purchase. Ive used these: http://www.bmikarts.com/Out-of-Stock-13-x-500-6-Carlisle-Tire-Split-Rim-260120_p_1558.html. those wheels fit together with these: http://www.bmikarts.com/Wheel-Hub-with-4-516-Bolts-on-a-2-1316-Circle-1-Bore_p_1658.html. The simplest way to attach the axle to the kart is by using pillow blocks because they just bolt to the kart. I bolt mine upsidown for more ground clearance:http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-1-Pillow-...=BI_Heavy_Equipment_Parts&hash=item5af34e37e9

Hope this helps!

 

[Szigtopher]

Is there anywhere where you can just buy the entire axel assembly? So the hubs and the bearings and what not? And that is a live axel is it the same deal in terms of wheel hubs and what not for a dead axel?

 

[firemanjim]

If you just call BMI (or other kart supply) and tell em what you are doing. They will set you up with what you need. I dont think you will find it all in a kit form . For a live axle set up : axle, 2 wheels/tires, 2 solid axle wheel hubs, sprocket hub and sprocket (if center driven) brake hub/brake,and a bearing kit(2bearings and bracket to mount) or 2 pillow block bearings (my preference) . Thats all you need.... DEAD axle set up you need 2wheels/tires with bearings IN them (like your front wheels) ,a brake hub/brakes ,and a sprocket/ hub. On dead axles, one rear wheel USUALLY has the sprocket AND band brake mounted to drive wheel. SOME live axle karts use this same set up,but the drive wheel also turns the live axle spinning the other tire too. Look at Fabroman's threads. He built his daughters live axle kart with this set up. He has pics and its a good build. Talented man.....