First Go Kart

[harrisonk]

Hello! im a 15 yearold from durango, CO trying to make a go kart for a school project/for fun. I have a pretty small budget but any suggestions would be great. Im having trouble deciding a gear ratio and what clutch to use. I would likely be using it on a dirt/gravel road that gets pretty steep (clearance is not a huge concern). I couldn't find any used engines so I bought a new 6.5 HP predator engine (if that matters). Any suggestions on a centrifugal clutch and sprocket? Also... -would it be problematic to weld my frame out of only square tubing? -any sugestions on wheels for a dirt road? Cheap brakes? Picture of pillow blocks? would a steering kit for 140 dollars be a good deal? links would be sweet. thanks a lot. much appreciated.

 

[Daniel Sheffield]

Go with a torque converter. Easy to use, better than conventional clutch. Turf tires from a farm store would be fine, get aggressive if mud. Depends on the metal, Wall thickness, and frame design. If it's thin use a lot of braces, but watch weight. Post metal info, that would help....

By the way. Welcome and good luck

 

[OzFab]

Welcome to the forum...

We always suggest a torque converter for steep terrain, a cent clutch just won't do the trick unless you use a very low gear ratio... & then you have a lousy top speed...

Yes, a TC is a lot more expensive than a CC but, well worth the money...

Have a read of this thread, you should find most of your answers there...

For "offroad" use, I suggest nothing less than 15" tyres...

Square tube is actually easier to use than round tube as you don't need to cope (cut round to fit) the ends & angles are easily cut whereas, round tube needs to be bent; 1"x1"x1/16" is perfect size...

Brakes: A full hydraulic setup from an ATV can be found for around $50 new...

 

[Poboy kartman]

Dirt roads don't necessarily mean bumpy roads...(as in needing a lot of ground clearance). So...larger tires could be more of a hindrance than help...

He should be fine with a CC and high gearing even with only 13" tires...if the roads are fairly smooth.

IMO.... what he really needs is a gear ratio above 7:1 with the standard 145/70-6 knobbies as these are readily available and economical...as well as a $20 centrifugal clutch is.

Remember....this is a school project...(I'm sure funds are limited.)

 

[harrisonk]

Dirt roads don't necessarily mean bumpy roads...(as in needing a lot of ground clearance). So...larger tires could be more of a hindrance than help...

He should be fine with a CC and high gearing even with only 13" tires...if the roads are fairly smooth.

IMO.... what he really needs is a gear ratio above 7:1 with the standard 145/70-6 knobbies as these are readily available and economical...as well as a $20 centrifugal clutch is.

Would i use the 145/70-6 knobbies for the front as well as the back?

 

[Poboy kartman]

I would....when one wears out or gets damaged...you only have to buy one....

And that size tire is easy to steer....(there's a reason so many karts were set up with them).
EDIT: The real question is how flat are the roads? Plan on about 6" of ground clearance, but plenty of ability to climb grades...

 

[harrisonk]

ALSO- is the azusa steering parts package a good deal? 140$

---------- Post added at 07:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:43 PM ----------

would these do any good?Marathon 13x5.00-6" Pneumatic (Air Filled) Tire on Wheel, 3" Hub, 3/4" Bearings for 25 dollars each

or would these be a better option 145/70-6 for 35$

both include rims
also its a pretty flat gravel road not bumpy or anything clearance is not a huge issue. just really steep

 

[Poboy kartman]

Gravel???? Then I would go for #1....but don't take my word for it...let some others chime in....#2 is a good all-around tire...

 

[harrisonk]

WOW! ive discovered today that go karts are quite expensive. around 450$ so far and thats not including the 130$ engine i bought already or the price of the metal for the frame im planning on building. hope im not getting ripped

 

[landuse]

WOW! ive discovered today that go karts are quite expensive. around 450$ so far and thats not including the 130$ engine i bought already or the price of the metal for the frame im planning on building. hope im not getting ripped

No kidding!! It is normally cheaper to buy a roller kart off craigslist and fix it up

 

[michaelcorp]

I cant realy help with the other questions you have but with the squaretubing i used 25x3mm wall thickness...with a great penitrated weld it wil be very strong and its realy easy to work with...just make sure you cut your steel up to size otherwise it will get a pain in the butt lol...goodluck kiddo

 

[landuse]

I cant realy help with the other questions you have but with the squaretubing i used 25x3mm wall thickness...with a great penitrated weld it wil be very strong and its realy easy to work with...just make sure you cut your steel up to size otherwise it will get a pain in the butt lol...goodluck kiddo

I would say that 3mm is a little bi too thick. There is nothing wrong with it, just that it will be unnecessarily heavy. A 1.8mm or 2mm thickness is more than enough

 

[michaelcorp]

I would say that 3mm is a little bi too thick. There is nothing wrong with it, just that it will be unnecessarily heavy. A 1.8mm or 2mm thickness is more than enough

it is abit heavy yeah but i was recommended the 3mm wall...my next project will deff be round tube,it looks way beter and less welding = less burning lol...

 

[michaelcorp]

Picture of pillow blocks?

I bought the same as these...mine is 20mm inside diameter.very easy to install,has 2 grub screws and 1 grease nipple.

 

[OzFab]

20mm is an odd size for axle diameter, have fun with that; I suggest 25mm or 1"...

As I said in post #3, 1/16" or 1.6mm is the perfect wall thickness for a go kart, it's strong enough & light enough; any thicker & you're only adding unnecessary weight...

The main reason I suggested a TC over a CC is because the OP said:

I would likely be using it on a dirt/gravel road that gets pretty steep

 

[Poboy kartman]

20mm is an odd size for axle diameter, have fun with that; I suggest 25mm or 1"...

As I said in post #3, 1/16" or 1.6mm is the perfect wall thickness for a go kart, it's strong enough & light enough; any thicker & you're only adding unnecessary weight...

The main reason I suggested a TC over a CC is because the OP said:

True....but keep in mind...you don't need to go 60 mph on gravel either, sooo, I still think low gearing is the way to go....but...all things are subjective.....

Just like the tires....I can't really speak from experience....but I believe knobbies are awesome for an all around kart..(that never spends too much time in any one scenario) ....but if it were me...I would use the other ones (if the bulk of the driving was on gravel) ...

The wider footprint would provide better traction...and (I think maybe better turning...again....(wider footprint...less chance of just plowing through the gravel)... however, on the front..the knobbies might act a bit like skis and cut a path through the gravel and be better than something that might skid across the top...

Also....not sure I'd want knobbies throwing gravel in my face either.....

Hence, why I said "Don't take my word for it."