dead axle extension

[jlarsen18]

I have a very basic go kart with 1wd dead axle powered by a predator 212cc, stopped by a 4.5 inch band brake. My kart is geared 1:5 (12 clutch 60 sprocket) and has a 11x3.5x5 slick drive tire. With all this being said, my kart has a very low take off speed and the slick has spins out when I try to gun it. Im looking at getting a 13x6.5x6 tire so I have more grip and therefore take off faster. The problem I have when doing this conversion is that the axle is too short to host the 6" rim that the new tire will be placed on. Any ideas on how to give this axle a little extra length? I dont have a welder and I dont wanna spend much money (50 max) Pics attatched

thanks for the help

 

[thisismyusername]

You could get another peice of the same sized shaft and put a sleeve over it and the other part and lock it with a collet, but i don't think that would allow the wheel to be on right and nor would i trust much weight on it, just putting out an idea. If nothing else is actualy welded onto the axle it might just be best to buy a longer axle

 

[Poboy kartman]

Nope....you need to weld on a new one....

Take it to someone who does that.....

 

[planejob]

Hack it off with a cutoff wheel - got to Tractor Supply (Are you in the US??) and buy your self a 5/8 bolt of the desired length - soak the head of the bolt in vinegar overnight - align the bolt so the wheel is straight - weld the head of the bolt to the butt of the piece you hacked off.

Remember, longer is better (assuming it's fully threaded) because you can always cut off what you don't need. trying to get it "just right" and then ending up 1/4 inch too short sucks.

 

[jlarsen18]

Thanks for the help, I went to ace and got an 8 inch 5/8" bolt, but does anyone know who could weld that on for me? And big stores do that?

 

[Poboy kartman]

Craigslist or Google should point you to welding shops in your area....

Also....most hot rod shops and motorcycle builders have welders.....and check your local wrecking yards....those guys are generally car nuts and do welding too....

 

[planejob]

So... Fill out your profile, Dude! . You might be Poboy's neighbor, or mine.

I hinted at it earlier: We can't help you very well if we don't know where you are.

 

[porsche930dude]

id highly recommend you upgrade to a 3/4" bolt since youre doing it anyway. Those 5/8 bolts tend to bend anyway now youre going out farther youre putting way more leaverage on it. putting 3/4 bearings in is no problem. but i dont think the wider tire will help you all that much. you need to move the seat back as far as you can over that axle to get more weight on it