Ed's offroad kart take 2

[ed1380]

now that i have a job and an engiine im back in wanting to build an offroad kart. im been doing this for the past week or so. i still got a few concerns and of course money is a big problem.
heres what i have so far

anyone know if a hollow 1 1/4 steel axle will hold up?


the front is almost like the sidewinder

heres another version. even less rear clearance, but simpler

 

[jr dragster T]

If it help's my Junior runs a hollow aluminum 1 1/4" axle, about a 1/4" wall. It get's put under quite a bit of stress.

 

[ed1380]

do you launch it?
i cant use alum cause im going to have to weld a cv joint to it.

 

[jr dragster T]

Launch it? Off the startline yes.

 

[ed1380]

wow im surprised it can take it.

 

[jr dragster T]

Well what do you mean by "Launch"? In drag racing "Launch" is known as idle to WFO. In off road terms to me it means launching off a dirt mound or something. No, I do not take my dragster off roading.

 

[ed1380]

yeah i was talking about the startline. on the pics it looks like it has a TC. didnt know you can launch those.

you know launch= rev and dump clutch

 

[jr dragster T]

My dragster? How can it not handle 0-90 mph in 7 seconds? Its idle to full throttle in a snap of a second. 5400 RPM engagement. Doesnt have to be a manuel to "Launch" it.

 

[ed1380]

not the dragster. the aluminum.

 

[jr dragster T]

Ohh yeah I wonder how it hold's too. The axles can twist and snap. Not too pretty when she snap's though.

 

[ed1380]

how often does that happen?

either way im going steel



i doubt one of these would survive on the sprocket. what do you think?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=390025447131

 

[modelengineer]

Looks good Ed, in the second pic that swingarm looks upside down, hence the minimal ground clearance.

I'd strongly advise you to bite the bullet and buy the piranha plans, since what you are making looks quite similar. It is a proven design with all the problems already worked out. I have a copy and they are great.

P.S my sidey has a 1 1/4" solid high tensile steel (4140) axle, and some people have snapped them, so...

 

[ed1380]

i know its "upside down" i dont like the sprocket and rotor exposed.

i would but knowing its was designed by me just feels better. lol
also if you do it their way it'll cost more, so im trying to make if from common materials. like no custom cut 1/4" steel. no round tubing, etc
My goal is to have it finished for under $600

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

You could modify the existing plans for your requirements.

 

[newrider3]

My goal is to have it finished for under $600

Good luck with that. My kart came in between $900 and $1200, and that was using inexpensive black pipe, the cheapest used parts I could find, shopping around for the best deals, etc.

 

[modelengineer]

I think you would spend a lot more designing and building your own kart, than you would by modifying the plans for the Piranha, and probably (no offence; but Edge have been designing buggies for many, many years) end up with an inferior product.

Good luck with the build, I am only trying to help.

 

[ed1380]

no prob. i fully understand you, but im gonna be going to college for mechanical engineering so i gotta start somewhere

 

[ed1380]

Good luck with that. My kart came in between $900 and $1200, and that was using inexpensive black pipe, the cheapest used parts I could find, shopping around for the best deals, etc.

does that include the engine? cause i already got one just need some electronics for it

 

[MDMike]

You'd be alot better off going with an Upper and Lower Control arm set up Front and Rear, its stronger and will keep the camber true over bumps/hard turning.... Its not much more work but you'd benefit greatly from it.

 

[newrider3]

That price only includes mabey $200 of the engine parts.