Dangers of go-karts?

[Flexibel_kampfe]

Okay, I have begun to plot out the design, but still have to bring it before the judge.. I mean parents... And I just know I am going to get a lecture on how dangerous they are, et cetera. So I figure I could nip it in the bud, and incorporate 1001 safety features(slash look safe features) to get by the parental wall.

What are the major dangers?

Another thing I cannot understand, is, what is the danger of the chain(chain guards) beside entanglement(I dont wear a burka, nor do I have long hair...) and the 'dont stick your digits where they dont belong' part?

Is there any real combustion danger? I mean appart from the obvious 'its hot, dont touch it' part...



Also, since I am going to be building this with maybe a 12inch clearance(for muddy conditions)(it will be buggy type) how does one prevent roll overs from occuring regularly?


And last question, since I know a bunch of you are probably about my age(teens) how did you approach the parents.....?

I would be the first in the family to do something like this, because none of them are mechanically inclined(although one things he is....)(although he did build a kit boat that lasted for 10 years or so)... So its not like its something they did as kids...(we are all from outside of Boston originally, so, as you can imagine, there wasnt much interms of this kind of thing..)

thx

 

[r_chez_08]

I don't have a chain guard, and as long as nothing gets in there that isn't suppost to your safe. As for rolling, have a strong roll bar, and ensure a helmet and harness are worn.
Approaching parents: I origianally thought my parents wouldn't let me build anything more that a pedal kart, but I sed to them can I build one with an engine, and they were like ok! Woop! Just say can I build a gokart

 

[r_chez_08]

Also there's a safety thing in the FAQ section.. My iPod is being gay and won't let me copy it.

 

[devino246]

Chain guards prevent a broken chain from hitting you. A roll cage is a must for what your talking about and so are seat belts.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

Chain guards prevent a broken chain from hitting you. A roll cage is a must for what your talking about and so are seat belts.

Seat Belts? I think more like Harnesses.....

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

I guess i never really thought about it, but my parents dont care at all. They think its great that im working with my hands rather than playing video games for hours. My dad tells me a need a helmet when i ride my shifter kart, but thats about it.

I didnt even ask my mom when i built my first, and second shifter karts (15 and 16), i just came home with a motorcycle and had at it.

 

[bajagokart]

i got a roll cage and 5 point harness as well as bucket seats that are on order

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

hmmm... maybe Ill tell 'em that I need a project and take it from there......(my father could careless about me running the tools..(I own a Bandsaw) more care for his electricity... )

Since I am finished my desk... thats what I think Ill do...

Trouble is, with him its hard, since hes a Cop, so he sees fatals all the time, which is why I think he gets nervous...

Ill just tell him I need to learn a skill.... I can either learn to build go-karts/buggies... or I can learn how to cook Meth...

 

[jr dragster T]

And last question, since I know a bunch of you are probably about my age(teens) how did you approach the parents.....?

My parents where all out for building a go kart lol they didnt mind. Then again my mom doesnt mind me drag racing, 85-90 mph in 7 seconds, She trusts me.

 

[freakboy]

tell your dad he can ride it when your done then he will be all for it!

 

[r_chez_08]

Haha my dad got a bit pissy with me once when I was driving around moving small hay bales with my gokart, with no helmet. As long as I have that and a harness he's alright about it, fair enough. My mum just says
ask dad :L

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

I think with safety gear, he will be fine... it was always my mother that was the issue(she made me wear a helmet to go ice skating...; she didnt let me use a jigsaw until this year(I more or less told her that I needed to do a school project... didnt let her have an opinion) but now that she is gone, it shouldnt be an issue(divorced.... not dead... )

Ill just tell him... "I have $X saved up, and I need a project... these are the estimated costs, and this is the estimated timeframe. These are the dangers in a nutshell, and honestly, its a helluva lot safer than running a power saw(since I am really the only one that knows how to work them, I get to play with all the toys... I mean tools...) I agree to do xyz to prevent injury, and agree only to ride it in safe, preapproved areas, and with friends...(his biggest thing is that he is always trying to get me to 'invite people over' I hate to tell him... this isnt kindergarden.. we dont invite people over to play on the computer....)"

I think it MIGHT be fine... considering he often lets me shoot his handgun...(you aint had fun unless you've shot a .40 with hollow points... talk about a bang... until you get to shoot an AK, or an AR, or a browning 1919(shot em all...) And considering those are relatively dangerous....

 

[r_chez_08]

(his biggest thing is that he is always trying to get me to 'invite people over' I hate to tell him... this isnt kindergarden.. we dont invite people over to play on the computer....)"

lol

 

[Russ2251]

Biggest danger is slow drain of bank account...

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

I already have that drain open.... although, its a very very slow leak...

 

[devino246]

Biggest danger is slow drain of bank account...

 

[newrider3]

The danger level of a go kart (or any other motorized vehicle) is directly proportional to the level of stupidity in the user.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Kart safety is a function of several factors. Engineering, PPE, and use are what I'd consider the big three.
Engineering- If a kart is well designed, and well-built, that's a big thing. Sufficiently thick steel tube for the design, decently engineered structure/welds, steering, brakes, etc.
PPE- This is Personal Protective Equipment. At the absolute least, a helmet. Depending on operating conditions, this can include boots, gloves, goggles, and other protective gear.
Use- This is in reference to the ability to heep your head about you even when you're having a truckload of fun. Don't get bombed/stoned and go rip up the trails. Don't attempt that 30-foot jump that'll make you a Youtube legacy. Don't go full bore at a hairpin turn lined with redwood trees HOPING the rear-only clutch-mount band brake you bought at Northern tool will actually let you live thru the corner. Do check operation of all controls before puttin' the hammer down every time you drive. Most if not all of this should be common sense.

Here's a few equipment tips I have for you, off the top of my head

-I believe that a kart that sees ANY offroad use at all should have a solid, and well supported roll bar (A cage is better) that's very firmly attached to the frame. I've seen hoops and cages held on by lynch pins. No way. I think ALL suspension and/or shifter karts (ie capable of high speed or big air) must have a cage.

-Don't skimp on steel, better to over-engineer a frame than to cheap out or get lazy. Your arse may depend on it.

-Mount all suspension components (pivots, springs, shocks) in double-shear, using grade 5 or 8 hardware.

-Design your chassis with the lowest centre of gravity you can get away with.

-I don't believe in band brakes, but if you insist on one, never mount it on your centrifugal clutch or jackshaft, only on the drive axle or wheel itself. This also is true for any other brake type. If you suffer a chain failure at speed, you have no brakes.
Your best bet is a hydraulic disc brake, with the disc right on the driveaxle. the stopping power is incredible, but do keep in mind that a rear-wheel lockup at speed can pose it's own challenges.

-Use decent-quality Heim or rose joints in the steering. The low-buck rod ends may not be up to the abuse.

-Chainguard> May NOT be necessary. If your roll bar/cage has a pair of uprights behind the driver (most designs will), design in a "firewall". This should be sheet steel, like 16 or 14ga., and will not only keep driveline bits off you, but will serve as a traditional firewall. If for some reason you cannot accomplish this with your design, then build a chainguard that will deflect the chain downward until the momentum stops.

-Seatbelt> The rule is as follows: If you have a rollbar/cage, you MUST be strapped in. If you do not, you must NOT be strapped in. The more, the better. I went from locking lap belt to locking shoulder belt, to full-on 4-pt harness. And for God's sake, if you DO find yourself going over, keep your hands clamped to the wheel. I've seen so many people hurt trying in vein to reach out of the cart in a totally futile attempt to stop the rollover. You can't.

-A helmet is a no-brainer. Pun intended. If there's dirt/mud flying, you'll want to consider a full-face model.

-Mount a kill switch to the steering column, wheel, or other instantly acessible location, if the throttle were to jam open, you'll be glad you did.

-A tip worth considering from my offroading days- "THUMBS UP". Many consider it good practise to drive with your thumbs OUTSIDE the rim of the steering wheel. Many serious hand injuries have been caused by a front tire striking an immovable object at speed, causing the steering wheel to abruptly spin, and mangling a hand, wrist, or elbow. If your thumbs are not wrapped around the wheel, your hands are much safer- The wheel will just whip itself out of your grasp.

Build your kart with a full floor pan. Nothing will ruin your day faster than having a foot slip under the kart at speed. You would then have to keep it in a cooler full of ice for re-attachment.

I'm sure I've missed a few things, but folks here will fill in the blanks. I hope this helps you. I'm not a safety nazi, it's just that fun and pain don't go together for me. Don't let this stuff scare you, let it just remind you to use your head. That said, I've had a he//uva lot of fun, and very much love my kart, I'm sure you will too.
Cheers! Chris

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

I hear you.... I chewed out a friend, who is a shop teacher at the Middle school for not having his kid wearing safety glasses whilst building a deck... I learned that one the hard way(cutting an open ended mortise, piece hit me in the eye, hurt like a bugger for days..)

I hear you on all things... including the steel...

While I am probably going to scavange most pieces, I will most likely buy the steel for the driver compartment(I plan on compartmentalizing the whole thing.)

Common sense isnt so common any more unfortunately *cites YouTube* but that is something I was blessed with.....

Since I was going to compartmentalize it(front, driver, engine), would it be safe to do a drive by wire system? That way no solid connection is present, but rather the use of steel cables attached to the steering colum turn the axle? Obviously crisscrossed(they would head toward the rear, then around a pulley, toward the front, where they would criss cross) so that left is actually left.... not right....

I would hate to end up on Youtube... as 'the first time go-karter that ends up with no steering...'

thanks

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I would not advise that. What would be the possible benefit?