Bought Scorpion plans

[Chappy99]

I bought some Scorpion plans to build my 7 year old a gokart. I'm sourcing the steel and other stuff right now.

I have two quick questions.

One is can I adjust the rear swing arm to be wider to accommodate a bigger tire? He will be riding out in a pasture and through a timber on a trail and I think a bit bigger tire would help, and also look cooler.

Also the welder I have access to is a stick arc. Will that work ok to weld the steel tubing with? I'd rather not buy a wire welder.

Thanks everyone.

 

[machinist@large]

I bought some Scorpion plans to build my 7 year old a gokart. I'm sourcing the steel and other stuff right now.

I have two quick questions.

One is can I adjust the rear swing arm to be wider to accommodate a bigger tire? He will be riding out in a pasture and through a timber on a trail and I think a bit bigger tire would help, and also look cooler.

Also the welder I have access to is a stick arc. Will that work ok to weld the steel tubing with? I'd rather not buy a wire welder.

Thanks everyone.

Welcome to the forum!!!

Without seeing the plans, I can't be 100% certain, but I believe you should be able to make the changes you're looking for. As for welding, if you know how to use it and have right dia. electrode, then stick will work just fine. If done properly, stick welding is actually stronger that mig.

Good luck, take lots of photo's and keep us posted!!!

Pat

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum! It will be just fine to use your stick welder.

I am not too sure about the swingarm, as I haven't seen the plans. You should be able to though

 

[Chappy99]

I have only thumbed through the plans. I'm going to start ordering parts next week. I already have a 6.5 HP tiller motor to use. My kid likes it because the three wheel design looks like the Batmobile. LOL.

I'm excited. I haven't built anything for a long time. The steel should be the easiest part to aquire on this project, and I already have the motor. So I just need to get the parts ordered.

But since I'm married I'll get them one or two at a time. Don't want my beautiful flower getting mad if I order a bunch at once!

I did buy a $100 gokart Friday for the kids. I then put $150 worth of tires and stuff on it to make it safe. They love it. I decided to build a second on for the other boy because I got tired of refereeing all weekend. LOL!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Welcome to the forum! I have 2 kids too- I feel your pain (on that, and the "beautiful flower" thing too... LOL

As stated above, whatever welding process you choose should be fine as long as you are halfway competent with it. The tire size adjustments should be pretty straightforward, too. But- I would caution you to not get too crazy with tire diameter, as it can open a can of worms with regards to power and gearing.

 

[Chappy99]

How much can i change the tire size before I run into issues?

 

[OzFab]

You need to consider where the swing arm mounts to the main frame; if you make the swing arm wider than the mount, obviously, you will run into problems.

Everything affects everything else; if you widen the swingarm, you then need to widen the rear of the frame, which is possible, to a point, by making the rear section behind the seat longer...

 

[Chappy99]

Thanks for all the replies. I also want to change how the rear swing arm mounts to the chassis. The current design is held on with some u brackets and some bolts. I want to change that to be held on with a bolt through a tube and have rubber bushing in the tube.

Where would I source some bushings at?

 

[machinist@large]

Thanks for all the replies. I also want to change how the rear swing arm mounts to the chassis. The current design is held on with some u brackets and some bolts. I want to change that to be held on with a bolt through a tube and have rubber bushing in the tube.

Where would I source some bushings at?

Auto parts store or off road shop; lots of different sizes and styles.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

How much can i change the tire size before I run into issues?

Depends on what issues you mean. Clearances? Dunno. I'd have to be there. Gearing? 10% is generally a "safe" number.

 

[Speedy McQueen]

can anyone send me the scorpion plans it sounds like a fun build thanks. anyway im new

email is fkowuusu@gmail.com

 

[OzFab]

No, we do not encourage sharing of purchased plans. If you're having trouble with the $30 price of the plans, you're really gonna have trouble with the cost of building the kart...

 

[firemanjim]

As fas as the O/P's questions, i googled "scorpion kart"images. There are quite a few with LARGE diameter rear tires. One in particular (black with blue clone motor) has 2 atv type tires side by side. He widened the wheel area only and angled back to original position. He did not widen the rear mount ,at least it appears he didn't. It looks the same as the rest i saw... Thats a pretty cool lookin kart....