Damien

[Tpdingo]

Ah, a vintage style, with the sort of V shaped curve peak. Is it going to use the same seat like those karts used where the top of the seat had the flap to secure it in place by going over the top of the V or is it going to use a sort of Manco style seat where it is bolted into the back?

Ok, totally different question but I want to know because I feel like this kart would be totally sick with it. Is it getting rack and pinion steering?

 

[Functional Artist]

Ah, a vintage style, with the sort of V shaped curve peak. Is it going to use the same seat like those karts used where the top of the seat had the flap to secure it in place by going over the top of the V or is it going to use a sort of Manco style seat where it is bolted into the back?

Ok, totally different question but I want to know because I feel like this kart would be totally sick with it. Is it getting rack and pinion steering?

I incorporate a rollbar/seatback in all of my designs, for safety & simplicity.

This one is probably gonna have a DIY bolted down type (2) piece seat.

Yup, a rack & pinion would be kool, but it adds to the build cost
...& would also add additional weight

 

[Functional Artist]

Now, we need a seat back & bottom, somewhere to put our feet & some "ribs" to strengthen them side bars.

I'm thinkin' some "dual purpose" panels will do the trick.

I'll bend up a couple of pieces of expanded metal into big "U"'s.

(1) can be the seat bottom & mid-frame ribs & (1) can be the "foot floor" & front "ribs"

Let's add a little style to 'er & make 'em kick back a bit & not just "plain" big U's

 

[Functional Artist]

Here is some pics of adding the "foot board", with "ribs"

It also kicks back, like the rear section

Did some weldin' & trimmin' & smoothin' & brushin' & flipin'
...repeat several times

Wow! just adding these (2) panels stiffened this thing up tremendously & added some style

 

[Functional Artist]

I measured, marked, cut out & welded on a piece of expanded metal for the seatback.

I also measured & made a note for cutting out the plywood for the actual seat (back & bottom)

 

[Tpdingo]

You putting in cushions because sitting my butt on a steel fence for more than around 0 seconds seems uncomfortable.

Looking good!

 

[landuse]

Looking awesome!!! That expanded metal is a lot stronger than people think

 

[Functional Artist]

Looking awesome!!! That expanded metal is a lot stronger than people think

Thanks

Yes & kinda light weight for the amount of strength that it adds.

Before I added the expanded metal, when I sat in between the rails & grabbed the top rail, to lift my weight up & out of the kart, I could feel them flex just a bit.

Now, they don't even think of flexing.

* I'm also thinkin' that it would make fantastic insert's for the "rib rails" on an Atom frame.

 

[Functional Artist]

I measured, marked & cut out the "foundation boards" for the seat.

Then, lined them up on the kart, marked the attachment points, drilled some holes & added a couple of T-nuts.

Yup, that'll work.

We'll get to the upholstery later.

 

[Functional Artist]

Upon the (~64th) re-assembly, I noticed that when I welded the seat bottom &/or back to the frame, it seems to have drawn the frame rails together ~1/8"

Now, the swing arm isn't fitting in between

Were either gonna have ta shave the wear pads down a bit or get thinner wear pads.

Rounded up some thinner material, lets give 'em a try.

 

[Functional Artist]

Yup, that did the trick

Next, lets work on a steering support.

It don't have ta be nuthin' fancy, just high enough to hold the steering where it need to be.

Probably best to have a tight top curve (to keep 'er narrow) & a couple of gentler curves for mounting to the frame.

I marked the piece of pipe at 4", 12", 12" & 4" & added a 1/4" bolt to one end of the piece (for alignment purposes)

If we make sure the bolt is "square" exactly vertical on both of the first (2) bends & they should end up pretty even.

I lined 'er up at the first 4" mark & bent it to ~100* (45 pumps), then slid 'er down to the second 12" mark & bent it to ~100* (45 pumps) too.

Now, we have a big wide upside down "U", lets flip it over 180* & bend it to the max (~140 pumps), right in the center.

Looks pretty good & even (turned sideways) it's mostly "true" or flat.

 

[Tpdingo]

Looks like a cross between a wheelbarrow hotrod kart and an old 60's yard kart. I love it. Does need a steering column to complete the look.

 

[Functional Artist]

Now, gotta figure where to put 'er

1.) leanin' toward the operator
2.) leanin' away from the operator
3.) kinda over the top

 

[Tpdingo]

What

Now, gotta figure where to put 'er

1.) leanin' toward the operator
2.) leanin' away from the operator
3.) kinda over the top

It's got to be under the legs and it should be tilted forward very slightly. Look at any basic 1 seater kart. Tilted forward a bit. Straight up might look cool but just a tad forward at the top I think will be best.

No offense but tilting back looks pretty stupid. Just doesnt look right. Want to prove me wrong? Go to Google and search yard kart and find a single example where the steering hoop isn't tilted forward or straight up.

Let me be a nice guy and save you a bit of time...there are no pictures of a steering hoop pointed backwards.

Tl;Dr go with #2, others don't look that great.

 

[itsid]

What
...
No offense but tilting back looks pretty stupid. Just doesnt look right. Want to prove me wrong? Go to Google and search yard kart and find a single example where the steering hoop isn't tilted forward or straight up.
....

Who needs google for something as simple as that?

And.. see? doesn't look too stupid either
(frankly, straight up looks way worse IMHO)

Anyways, it's not a great idea to tilt it back.
think of what happens at a front impact;
would you like to get thrown out, or wedged in?

'sid

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Which configuration allows the easiest in and out of the kart?

 

[Functional Artist]

Thanks for the input guys

I also picked #2.

I agree it looks kooler, it's safer & also gives us a nice area for mountin' & viewin' the dash plate.
...just listin' the available options. (I never even contemplated straight up )


First, I made sure the (future) steering wheel will be ~20" - 22" from the seat back & adjusted the support to sit at a kool angle.

Now, we know where it needs to be mounted on the (lower) frame rails.

After makin' sure it was centered , I marked the frame & then, marked the support, for cutting.

Cut the ends ~1/4" longer to accommodate for "notchin". (machining to match the curve of the pipe)

Used the "rough" grinder to establish the "notches", double checkin' along the way with a scrap piece of pipe.

Used a ratchet strap to draw the sides together a bit to fit 'er in.

Made sure it was @ the kool angle & tacked 'er down.

Then, triple checked everything before weldin'er down/on good.

 

[Functional Artist]

Which configuration allows the easiest in and out of the kart?

I don't think there would be much of a difference in ease of entry.
The steering wheel would still be in the same place.

The first way was only really contemplated because it kinda followed the lines of the "rib panels" & the third option, just because it was possible.

I also try to think of "what if" in a crash, during the design phase.

IMO, #1 & #3 would/could definitely be the more dangerous of the (3) options.

In a crash, #1 would act as a wedge (to catch ya), like Sid said, & #3 looks to be an ankle buster.

 

[Tpdingo]

Are you going for a butterfly wheel or a steering wheel? Foot pedals for once this time? I think this one could use a set of good ol' pedals.

Incase it interests you i had a crash with a very small kart where my legs were bent around the steering column and no seatbelt. Around 10-15mph and my thighs bent a 1/4" steering rod. Those were some nasty black and blue marks!

Make sure in a crash your legs are not in the way of anything!

 

[Functional Artist]

Are you going for a butterfly wheel or a steering wheel? Foot pedals for once this time? I think this one could use a set of good ol' pedals.

Incase it interests you i had a crash with a very small kart where my legs were bent around the steering column and no seatbelt. Around 10-15mph and my thighs bent a 1/4" steering rod. Those were some nasty black and blue marks!

Make sure in a crash your legs are not in the way of anything!

An actual steering wheel & pedals? Hmmmmmmmmmm Maybe

I hate crashin'
...& try NOT ta do it anymore.