Building a go kart size Aerial Atom

[Mavaholic]

Wow!!! Just went through this whole build so far. Very impressive indeed.

 

[Functional Artist]

I haven't done much of anything on the Atom kart in a while
...but recently, I came across an old TV, that had an interesting back cover.

It "right off" reminded me of the engine cover/air scoop on an Aerial Atom.
Hmmmmmmm ...maybe

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

YES! I love seeing junk repurposed to go kart use!

 

[Functional Artist]

Long over due update

Gettin' back to work on the Atom

Ezcome-ezgo was correct
...the rear shocks seem best positioned @ ~45*, from the seat back to the swing arm


* The 54T axle/driven sprocket seems to clear everything too

I wasn't sure & it looked like it would be close after I mounted/installed the battery box/tray
...but, it clears nicely, even within the full swing arm travel

 

[andrecht]

Yes!!!!
Glad this project is back on the cards!

 

[Functional Artist]

Thinkin' about this TV back cover

It's way too big, as is
...but, maybe, if we cut 'er down a bit

So, I did some measurin' & some cuttin'

What do you'all think of this?

 

[mckutzy]

Hey there's some DIY'ing... I like it.....
It wont hold off the rain or weather... but it does look cool for the ride...

 

[landuse]

Looks cool to me!

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Groovy!

 

[bthompson224]

How fast will this thing be? I'm curious as to how that will hold up when it starts catching air.

 

[Functional Artist]

How fast will this thing be? I'm curious as to how that will hold up when it starts catching air.

I thought about that too.

How fast?
Well, the 60V motor should provide (at least) ~4,000 RPM's
...& with a 5.4:1 gear ratio
...& 15" tires (48" cir.)
I'm thinkin' it should go ~35MPH

With the motor, controller & batteries all be mounted under the cover
…& as long as it's mounted & secured properly, it should enhance/provide some "Ram Air/Scoop, induction type cooling"

I think it looks kool!
...but, wasn't sure if it was TOO MUCH

 

[bthompson224]

Nope, looks great. I was just wondering if that non structural plastic would hold up at speeds.

 

[BigWes]

Cool... can't wait to see that thing Rollin!

 

[Kartorbust]

Can't wait to see this thing roll down the road.

 

[Functional Artist]

Workin' on/figuring out how to mount the rear cover

Probably gonna make a lightweight sub frame
(kinda like they do to mount the hood on many riding lawn mowers)

It should stiffen/strengthen the plastic
…& help to spread out the mounting points across a larger area
...& later to help against the "uplifting" forces that will be applied while "catchin' air"

While cleaning up/washing the piece I noticed that we may be able to use some of the "factory" screw holes
...just gotta trim off some unneeded "alignment" tabs

So, I used a large "square", across the inside of the screw holes, to mark where to cut the tabs
(this way, what's left of the tabs will still help support the structure)
…& then, simply cut 'em off

 

[bthompson224]

Maybe some metal strapping to help distribute the load inside the scoop?

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

I like this. But it is a distraction from going fast.

 

[Functional Artist]

Maybe some metal strapping to help distribute the load inside the scoop?

Yup, that's what I had in mind
…& it'll make "properly" mounting it easier too

I was thinkin' of puttin' it on hinges
...& making it "openable"

But, it would have to open "backwards" or toward the rear
…& with it scoopin' air, that doesn't seem like a good idea

So, now I'm thinkin' to just bolt 'er down
...or even "pin" it down (so, it's still easily removable)

---------- Post added at 08:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:03 AM ----------

I like this. But it is a distraction from going fast.

Goin fast isn't everything

Ya gotta incorporate kooling into a "high performance" vehicle
…& it's also gotta look kool too

 

[bthompson224]

Hinge or no hinge, if it's gonna blow off it will still blow off. Hinge might actually give it more attachment points and spread the load out across the back. That will also be the area with the least stress.

 

[Functional Artist]

Hinge or no hinge, if it's gonna blow off it will still blow off. Hinge might actually give it more attachment points and spread the load out across the back. That will also be the area with the least stress.

All good points

I sat the seat in place
...just to see how everything looked

It seems to block ~50% of the air scoop opening
...which should help to reduce some of the "uplifting" forces
…& still looks kool

* As far as mounting, I want to keep it as discrete as possible because
1.) This "cover" is a very unique piece
…& if it blows off/breaks, it's pretty much irreplaceable

2.) If I don't end up "totally" likin' it I may end up leaving it off
(I really like the "look" without the cover too)
…& I don't want a bunch of unsightly mounting brackets or tabs ruining the look