Father and son build, need help

[45pro]

Well fellas I can't seem to find a place that will cut a keyway in my axle. I'm kinda out in BFE and I might have better luck in a nearby city an hour away but don't really want to drive that far. Is it possible to just weld the hub to the axle? I can still change out sprockets that way. I'm my head I don't see anything wrong with it but maybe I'm missing something.

 

[ultralight01]

NEVER WELD TO THE AXLE.
It seems like good idea, I know, but it's not. You can't get the axle out later to do maintenance, you can't move the sprocket hub for alignment, there's a possibiliy of welding at an angle, and most importantly the weld weakens the axle a lot. Please don't

 

[45pro]

Well I'm at a loss then unless I try to cut my own keyway. Really don't want to buy another axle.

 

[chancer]

What ^ Said.

But you can but an axle, they are not expensive. This is what I have $22 bucks
http://www.bmikarts.com/1-Steel-Live-Axle_p_517.html

 

[tinamcjittles]

What ^ Said.

But you can but an axle, they are not expensive. This is what I have $22 bucks
http://www.bmikarts.com/1-Steel-Live-Axle_p_517.html

I paid $50 for that same axle 2 months ago!

---------- Post added at 02:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:15 PM ----------

Well I'm at a loss then unless I try to cut my own keyway. Really don't want to buy another axle.

Nothing cuts better keyways than an angle grinder.

 

[mckutzy]

The options as I see it is , cut your own, or buy a new one.....

How much is it going to be out there?

Off hand, A quick look around you area.....

A pretty good price....
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0157521?r=~|categoryl1:%22600930%20Raw%20Materials%22|~%20~|categoryl2:%22612385%20Keyed%20Shafts%209and%20Keys%22|~%20~|categoryl3:%22608572%20Keyed%20Shafts%22|~%20~|sattr05:^Steel$|~%20~|sattr01:^1%22$|~

 

[45pro]

Whoa buddy, so a lot of info came flying at me real quick when I called gopowersports to place my order. Apparently first off I need to run a torque converter because my 15" tires are too large for a clutch otherwise i can only drive it on flat ground only because of lack of torque and i will burn up the clutch.I'm being told 13" is max for a clutch. So I need to downsize my tires to run a clutch and stay on flat ground or buy the torque converter and do whatever I want. Also was told I need to run a 40# chain because a 35# is too light for offroad use. Also he said I need to run a 60 tooth rear sprocket not a 72 tooth. They had something to do with the 40# chain. As of right now I'm at a loss, feeling like I have to start all over and decide what to do when I thought I had everything figured out. Hmm...

 

[chancer]

I dont want to doubt the expertise of Go power sports, but
I run a 72 tooth axle sprocket and 12 tooth "clutch" equaling a 6:1 gear ratio
I also run 15" tall tires. and #35 chain.

Most guys here will tell you 15" tall tires is the MAX with a clutch. That kart does not leave the yard(2 acres) but it will go up the hills my property is not flat. Plenty of torque too, my 100lb daughter can do continuous donuts in hard packed dirt.

 

[Poboy kartman]

I dont want to doubt the expertise of Go power sports, but
I run a 72 tooth axle sprocket and 12 tooth "clutch" equaling a 6:1 gear ratio
I also run 15" tall tires. and #35 chain.

Most guys here will tell you 15" tall tires is the MAX with a clutch. That kart does not leave the yard(2 acres) but it will go up the hills my property is not flat. Plenty of torque too, my 100lb daughter can do continuous donuts in hard packed dirt.

I think something got lost in the translation....GoPowersports was undoubtedly thinking he had an offroad buggy and not a yard kart. We haven't given you any incorrect information. The fact they are saying you can't use a #35 chain tells me they think you have a heavy buggy and are going to do some serious off-roading.

 

[45pro]

I dont want to doubt the expertise of Go power sports, but
I run a 72 tooth axle sprocket and 12 tooth "clutch" equaling a 6:1 gear ratio
I also run 15" tall tires. and #35 chain.

Most guys here will tell you 15" tall tires is the MAX with a clutch. That kart does not leave the yard(2 acres) but it will go up the hills my property is not flat. Plenty of torque too, my 100lb daughter can do continuous donuts in hard packed dirt.

Well chancer if that's the setup you have then it should work for me. This is just a Lil entry level ride to have some fun and learn at the same time. Once I get more familiar with how to build these bad boys I may get into more powerful street setup for me if I come across another frame.

I think I got it all figured out now, minus what size key I need for my hub sprocket I'm ordering. It doesn't say in the description. I'll just order both sizes as cheap as they are. Also not sure how to get the gas pedal set up and operational but I'll cross that bridge when I have a completed drivetrain.

Also want to say thanks to chancer for all the helpful knowledge, appreciate ya leading a blind horse to water.

---------- Post added at 06:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:58 PM ----------

I think something got lost in the translation....GoPowersports was undoubtedly thinking he had an offroad buggy and not a yard kart. We haven't given you any incorrect information. The fact they are saying you can't use a #35 chain tells me they think you have a heavy buggy and are going to do some serious off-roading.

Possibly, not sure how but I feel like I had told him exactly what I had and what I thought I needed. Don't get me wrong, this dude knew his stuff. So well in fact that it made me feel even more stupid than I already felt, which I didn't think was possible lol

 

[chancer]

No problem. I like to help, as much as I like to Joke around.

Oh and when you get that far the Engine side of the throttle hook up is so easy a cave man can do it!

 

[45pro]

No problem. I like to help, as much as I like to Joke around.

Oh and when you get that far the Engine side of the throttle hook up is so easy a cave man can do it!

Ya as far as hooking up the linkage, I can do that, it's more mounting the gas pedal to the frame and making it work correctly.

---------- Post added at 06:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:04 PM ----------

Ok guys, everything is ordered. Now it's the waiting game....

 

[kenworth85]

I am also a beginner with go karts chancer and poboy taught me a lot. I have a 72t sprocket and a 12t clutch it does fine with me riding.(235#) in my yard it's not flat ground. One of the kids I gave one to has same setup and goes fast enough for him.one of mine has 17" tires. everyone is very helpful

 

[mckutzy]

It's called a key... The keyway size that is cut is determined by the shaft size.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Just make sure you loosen the throttle plate and disconnect the low oil sensor on that Predator.

 

[45pro]

Ok, how and why lol

 

[Poboy kartman]

The throttle plate is tight so when you move it by hand, it stays in one place..(you'll see) just loosen up the nut on top so the throttle cable and return spring can move it easily.

The low oil sensor is for sedentary engines...if you don't unhook it, the engine will die when you corner!!!!

 

[45pro]

So i pulled my steering wheel last night and started to look for a 10" replacement. What I'm finding is most gokart steering wheels connect via 3 screws. Mine is set up like a traditional steering shaft with only 1 center bolt. I need to source a wheel that has the actual grooves in it to keep it from slipping with just a center nut. Does that make sense? I can't seem to find one. Should I be looking into a smaller traditional car steering wheel for a replacement?

 

[Poboy kartman]

So i pulled my steering wheel last night and started to look for a 10" replacement. What I'm finding is most gokart steering wheels connect via 3 screws. Mine is set up like a traditional steering shaft with only 1 center bolt. I need to source a wheel that has the actual grooves in it to keep it from slipping with just a center nut. Does that make sense? I can't seem to find one. Should I be looking into a smaller traditional car steering wheel for a replacement?

Post pics and measure the shaft size. Can you weld?

 

[45pro]

Post pics and measure the shaft size. Can you weld?

I can JB Weld Haha! Yes I do have access to a welder. It's a 1/2" steering rod column that takes a 3/4" nut I believe it was. I'm at work right now but can give you a better answer tonight when I get home