Briggs and Stratton + A Question

[ineed2fly]

So I got a free Briggs and Stratton 5.5 HP intek 206 from a friend. It came as 2 engines each missing about half the pieces and by some miracle I was able to put it back together and it runs beautifully. So now the questions stands, where do I go from here?

Should I buy a frame?
Or should I make one? I can weld but I'm not entirely sure as which route to go. I would probably do what's cheapest.

I am buying the rear axle, centrifugal clutch, sprocket and disc brake. But I want it to be kinda custom. I am thinking live axle and go more off road with it though as I really can't run too much road stuff here. So I guess I will need "axle bearings"

Any tips? Please I really need some help!

 

[kibble]

If you can weld and you have some idea of what you want your kart to look like, then you might as well just buy the material and weld yourself a frame. If you just want a quick frame and are willing to spend the money then just get a frame.

As for axle bearings, you could get some pillow blocks.

That's my two cents...

 

[2or3wheels]

do what kibble said pillow block's

 

[ineed2fly]

How does suspension work? Both rear and front? The front makes some sense but how would the wheels get closer and farther away without messing up the tie rods? And how does the rear work without slackening the chain? Does anyone have the dirt devil plans?

Thanks again,
Nick

 

[2or3wheels]

well most ive seen that actually work that are home made have the motor on the swing arm. You coiuld also have a very long chain with a tentionioner.

as for fron the go up and down. not much out. If you have a R/C then you can see how those works. ill take some pics later if i can.

 

[ineed2fly]

Thanks guys! I am getting the steel for the frame later today and will eventually mod it to take suspension.

 

[crazycart]

heres my homemade swingarm its out of old snowmobile suspension parts it works great

here is what you could make 4 front suspension

 

[ineed2fly]

I got the steel today and welded up the basic frame, no roll cage or anything. Now I just need the go kart parts. I guess I could strart steering though. Should I make a spindle or buy one?

 

[jr dragster T]

I made my own they look pretty good.

 

[ineed2fly]

So I have finished the frame (see the pic)
That is just the base, the roll cage and such will be added later when I have it running, I don't want to invest extra money and find out it doesn't work. Kinda like my chopper (other pic) I need a centrifugal clutch for that as well. I am going to florida for NANPA for a week but I will continue to post and update on my progress when I get back.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[ineed2fly]

Steering is on!!!
YAY!!! Works great, just 1/2inch conduit inside of 3/4 inch. I have always been an airplane nut (hence the Ineed2fly) so I figured a yoke would be fun. And I could do it myself so it would save some $. I will try to make my spindles and if I can't I will buy them. I will make the tie rods myself with threaded rod and some eye bolts w/ washers on the top and bottom, if it is too sticky I will get some bearings. Will rack and pinion go back to center on its own like a car?

Thanks,
Nick

 

[jr dragster T]

Rack and Pinion steering with go back to the center to a point not fully though.

 

[2or3wheels]

it does that in a car because the wheels make it go to the center, at least thats how ive understood it.

 

[ineed2fly]

Just posting so this thread doesn't lock. I will be back sunday to work on the kart.

 

[Coolrider]

Caster is what makes the wheels return to straight, the more caster you add the better they will center, a chopper is a good example of positive caster, I heard someplace you should put like 7 degrees in the front of a cart, but dont quote me on that, it just sounds like something I heard, I guess when I build my front end I will do it and let you know how that went

 

[ineed2fly]

Castawatty? HELP!!!!!!

 

[Russ2251]

Castawatty? HELP!!!!!!

Look here:
http://www.truckalignment.com/caster.html

 

[gustopf]

"caster" is the relation ship of the angle of were the tie rods meet you stearing spindle, i think thats should be right..
look at this cart, third pic down,
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=754
i think the angle, is the tie rods angle vs. the ground, correct me if im wrong

 

[Coolrider]

The picture Russ put in there is it,

the bottom of the kingpin has to be farther forward than the top, the farther you go forward, the more it will want to return to center.

 

[ineed2fly]

Here is my progress so far, just waiting to get the rest of the pieces really.