Finally going to build it - could use help!

[vorkerman]

Hello all, so I was going to build a go kart a few years ago and well, life got in the way, so here I am to try again! This time I actually bought the motor and controller, so hopefully this time I make it to the finish line! I got some great advice help last time before I put the project aside, so hopefully can get some help again.

So first up.... live rear axle. Best place to buy a kit? Or buy parts and make the rest I need? Or buy it in parts?

Is it important now to determine what wheel size I want and the number of teeth on the rear gear/sproket whatever it's called

Thanks in advance.

 

[bob58o]

BMI and GoPowerSports should have live axle kits.
Shop around and price compare.
1" axle is fairly standard.

What size motor are you using?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3c_pJ_CLJQ

 

[vorkerman]

1000W 36V motor. (3000 rpm I believe).

 

[vorkerman]

Tire Size?

Any thoughts on tire size? My son is now 7 and a half. Are 13 x 5 x 6 tires big enough? Too big? When I start looking at 15 or 16" they seem pretty big for the size of kart I was envisioning.... Is there a rule of thumb to follow? With a larger tire, I'll need more power to overcome rolling rotational inertia and such no?

Finding parts in Canada is a pain compared to the US, any suggestions? I'm tempted to order from the US, but the shipping is often the same price as what I'm trying to buy!

 

[Joe-405]

I have 15x6x6 on my barstool racer and they aren’t that big actually. Just gear it right. They are priced right and are turf tires so they track up on pavement or off road.

Both rear tires are 15x6x6................

 

[Functional Artist]

Hello all, so I was going to build a go kart a few years ago and well, life got in the way, so here I am to try again! This time I actually bought the motor and controller, so hopefully this time I make it to the finish line! I got some great advice help last time before I put the project aside, so hopefully can get some help again.

So first up.... live rear axle. Best place to buy a kit? Or buy parts and make the rest I need? Or buy it in parts?

Is it important now to determine what wheel size I want and the number of teeth on the rear gear/sproket whatever it's called

Thanks in advance.

Howdy,

So, you have a 36V 1,000W motor & matching controller, Kool
...can you provide a link to the motor & controller?

IMO BMI seems to have "better" prices for kart parts

BMI Karts 1" x 36" live axle ~$34.00
https://www.bmikarts.com/1-Steel-Live-Axle_p_517.html

Go Power Sports 1" x 36" live axle ~$48.00
http://www.gopowersports.com/axle-36-1-diameter/

How fast do you want to go?
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=38785

Wheel size & gear ratio (size of the motor (drive) sprocket compared to the size of the axle (driven) sprocket)
... along with motor speed

By doing the "math" you can (roughly) determine how fast your kart will go when your done

Here is more electric go kart info

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=37442

 

[vorkerman]

Thanks to both of you!

15 was kind of the biggest I was thinking of going, so that's good to know they don't seem so big.

I'll check out those links, thanks! I was doing some of the calculations from the sticky page on calculating the forces and such. That's my fear, I kind of want to figure all of it out together before I buy things or buy things in stages if that is possible. The electrical stuff I'm good with, it's all that mechanical stuff I need more help with

BMI karts and the others have lots of great parts and kits, but shipping to Canada was

There is one online kart supply in Canada, but they don't have as much as those US ones, but they might do.

I appreciate all the help. I keep perusing various other posts as well and learning a lot.

Here is the motor. I was a bit surprised at it's size, and they don't have a ton of specs so I'm not sure it's 1000W Electric power or Mechanical power.... the controller also didn't come with much in the way of identifying which wires were for what. I've emailed and haven't heard back if they had a data sheet or connection diagram.

https://www.pocketbikecanada.ca/ind...mart_product_id=248&virtuemart_category_id=25

 

[Functional Artist]

15 was kind of the biggest I was thinking of going, so that's good to know they don't seem so big.

I'll check out those links, thanks! I was doing some of the calculations from the sticky page on calculating the forces and such. That's my fear, I kind of want to figure all of it out together before I buy things or buy things in stages if that is possible. The electrical stuff I'm good with, it's all that mechanical stuff I need more help with

BMI karts and the others have lots of great parts and kits, but shipping to Canada was

There is one online kart supply in Canada, but they don't have as much as those US ones, but they might do.

I appreciate all the help. I keep perusing various other posts as well and learning a lot.

Here is the motor. I was a bit surprised at it's size, and they don't have a ton of specs so I'm not sure it's 1000W Electric power or Mechanical power.... the controller also didn't come with much in the way of identifying which wires were for what. I've emailed and haven't heard back if they had a data sheet or connection diagram.

https://www.pocketbikecanada.ca/ind...mart_product_id=248&virtuemart_category_id=25

Look around & do lots of homework before spending money
...you'll thank me later

Have you checked eBay for kart parts?

I am not sure about shipping to Canada but, many sellers offer "free shipping"

I am not sure what size axle your kart will need but, (for example) here is an ad by BMI karts (on eBay)
...for a 1" x 36" live axle for ~$50.00 with shipping
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-x-36-Liv...903125?hash=item213e492a55:g:R0kAAOSwA4Va6MGb

Is it a MY1020 36V 1,000W motor
...or like a ZY1020 ?
(a clone motor-about the same motor (as far as I know) just made by a different manufacturer)

This thread should help with connecting your system

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=38841
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GlF2aqdXQ4

The !Arriba! kart has a 48V motor, running a 7.2:1 gear ratio & 15" tires
…it should give you an idea of what to expect

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=37852
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGx-mPMK2l4

 

[vorkerman]

Motor

The motor isn't labeled..... which I found odd when I got it, so it's probably a good assumption that it is one of the knockoff ones?
I really need to go get some batteries and fire it up. I might have a Power Supply at work that will go up to 36 Volts, but not sure at that amperage I would need.

I was leaning towards 1" axle as it seems the most common.

I haven't tried Ebay much, but perhaps I will. I've kind of looked around on Kijiji (Craigslist equivalent here in Ontario), but generally only find full Kart's. Although, I was tempted to just buy a chassis, but mostly I find racing style karts, and I really want to build my kid a buggy.

Is it normal to choose a desired top speed and choose a gear ratio accordingly (and wheel size?). I have an 11 tooth sprocket on the motor.

Lastly, I was trying to figure out about the axle sprocket. It appears it's best practice to mount it to an axle hub (split vs one piece seems a matter of serviceability convenience?). But is the only way to weld the sprocket to the hub, and then mount it?

 

[mckutzy]

Here in Canada we kinda get screwed as far as things like these, especially on shipping... Batteries ect... There are a few places out there but nothing cheap like in the US.

As far as gearing goes... A 6:1 is a start, but I'm not too sure if that still applies to the electric versions...
Sprockets can be bought at any bearing supply house, or at the Princess auto.
The princess sprockets are weld-on, so if you want B-style one piece, you'll have to call a bearing supply.

 

[vorkerman]

Sprocket

Thanks!
Is there any disadvantage to the bolt on? Does Princess also sell hubs to weld the sprocket too?
I was going to get keyed axle there as well, though they didn't have drive rims which was disappointing, though they recommended me to essentially a tractor supply place which I may end up using.

Would Princess also carry axle bearings and hangers or pillow bearings/etc?

 

[mckutzy]

The Princess has...
Pillow blocks- of different bore sizes...
Sprockets and weld on hubs for a multitude of shaft sizes and for the sprocket size...
Chain- of several sizes to match the above sprockets...
Keyed shaft of a few sizes and lengths to match bearings....


Take a look...
https://www.princessauto.com/en/

Bought most of my parts for the drive train at the princess, for both of my bikes... a very good source of components....


As for a bolt on style... they make for convenience, as they can be changed at will... welded are permanent(unless a grinder is used)..

 

[vorkerman]

Steering

Ok, so I'm kind of on my way to a rear live axle... still trying to source a few things, and figure out a sprocket ration.

Now for front steering....
Any tips on how to setup/design the front end? I need a steering shaft, some tie rods, tie rod ends, spindles, spindle bracket?
I guess the biggest question is the length of the tie rods? THey seem to come in set sizes, so should I design/plan my kart width (at least at the front), around what those sizes are? Any other tips or direction?

 

[Functional Artist]

Now for front steering....
Any tips on how to setup/design the front end? I need a steering shaft, some tie rods, tie rod ends, spindles, spindle bracket?
I guess the biggest question is the length of the tie rods? THey seem to come in set sizes, so should I design/plan my kart width (at least at the front), around what those sizes are? Any other tips or direction?

There is lots of "steering info" here on the forum

The last time I set up the steering on a kart was for the Torsk kart
...steering starts @ post #89

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=38905

Tie rods are usually custom made (by you) to fit the specific application (your kart)
...some squaring, measuring, cutting & threading will be required