Drift Kart - aka teaching the lil dude to build

[ElGiganteJake]

Made some progress today. Got the frame squared and welded up. Once I make sure my heights are all good, I'll weld on the neck next.

 

[chancer]

Thanks for the update. Looking good.

 

[2SlickNick]

What he ^ said.

 

[landuse]

Yup. Looking good

 

[ElGiganteJake]

So the frame is about 2" wider then it probably should be in each side, but I'll build the next one better.

All major fab is pretty much done at this point. Welded on the neck and backbone brace. Also fabled up the brake mount and drilled/cut the motor mount holes (can slide for chain adjustment). Also clearanced the cross brace for the drive pulley and welded in the seat bracket and bolted the seat down.

Still have to buy the right size bolts to mount the motor and after fluids fire it up. Also size the chain, run brake cable, throttle cable, setup throttle return spring and mount/wire in the kill switch. Hopefully playing by this weekend.

I'll add pictures after I put them on the computer. Tapatalk keeps crashing when I try to up load.

~ jake

 

[ElGiganteJake]

Here is me notching out the neck/backbone brace (trial and grind and trial and grind and...)

How it sits right now.... Son got some major virus today so he was pretty sick. Gonna get the final set of bolts and stuff with him and he and I will go through tighting everything up.

 

[ElGiganteJake]

One major question tho - how in the world do you get the keys to fit? I cut the key stock into the 4 pieces I need and ground/rounded the corners down. It fits fine into the axle by itself (slides right into the slot). It fits fine into the hubs by itself (hand fit). But I cannot make the three of them fit together to save my life! Do I need to grind it down a little bit fit or am I just missing something really simple???? I did rotate and try all sides just to see if that might be it...

 

[chancer]

Sounds like you are doing everything right. rotating, chanfering the edge etc. I have had to use a hammer gently before, but then it is a bi#ch to get apart? Is there paint on the surfaces?

 

[ElGiganteJake]

I tried gentle hammer as well and no go. Chromoly axle and aluminum hubs, no paint.

~ jake

 

[chancer]

Huh. I got nuthin!
But I wanted to mention, that Trike is lookin good nice work. I like the seat.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

I have had to slightly taper one side of a key to get it to fit. Just got to be careful not to go too far...(trial and grind and trial and grind and...)

 

[2SlickNick]

I had an issue like that on a jacckshaft... I measured with calipers and keyway and keys were the exact same measurement. I used a fine sandpaper and smoothed down the two sides of the key. Then plenty of white lithium grease to slide in place.

I ruined a Js once pounding the key in place.

 

[chancer]

Oh that reminds me. I did in fact have a similar problem.
On my Jack shaft, It was 5/8 and the 5/8 id gears slipped on but the 5/8 bearing would NOT go on. I bought it all from the same go kart supplier. I had to lightly sand the shaft, the problem was there was the tiniest bit of edge left from the machining of the keyway. I guess just poor quality machining.

Point is and my tip. Just clean up all the sufaces with a little emory cloth. The keyways in the wheels and the axle and smooth the key. That may just do it.

 

[ElGiganteJake]

Cool thanks I'll try that. Neck welds didn't get the penetration required so I took it off and am rebuilding the neck again. Practice makes perfect I guess

 

[ElGiganteJake]

It's done and test ride complete. Shaving just a smidgen off the keys was perfect. It is so much fun and yet absolutely terrifying at the same time. may be just a shy too much rake in the neck.

 

[chancer]

Sounds Perfect. "So much fun and Absolutley Terrifying".

 

[ElGiganteJake]

Action shot from tonight. I realize now why most guys run a smaller motor. The torque from the 212 = no go -> wow that's quick in an instant

 

[That guy]

what sizes sprockets or you running on your drift trike ?? Are running 10 inch PVC

 

[ElGiganteJake]

what sizes sprockets or you running on your drift trike ?? Are running 10 inch PVC

57 tooth with 12 tooth clutch #35 chain. And yes, 10" pvc

 

[chancer]

57 and 12 gives you 4.75:1 gear ratio and with 10" PVC...
For a drifter you "should" be ok. Imagine the added tire spin if it was a more standard 6:1.