First kart build, lots of trial and error!

[TorqueRanger]

Engine mount is on the swingarm. I basically chopped the back part off the old blue go-kart, attached that to the new go-kart with the "hinges" and shocks.

What size rear tires and motor??

 

[mysteryboy28]

22 inch tires, and brand new 13hp Greyhound (Honda clone) motor with electric start.

(Picture is of a similar 11hp I pulled off the web)

 

[mspaceman21]

i like it . . . . should be a smooth ride

 

[mysteryboy28]

Decided I needed to do something about my botched front suspension design. I had made the tire side of the A-arms too close together, causing some major leaning in the tires. I wasn't sure if I could get away with this when i first started building the kart. Thought it might look cooler if the front had more of a tapered look to the A-arms as they went from the center to the wheels. Doh! Another lesson learned the hard way.

 

[kyjohn]

Thats part of the fun, learning as you go..

 

[mysteryboy28]

Yeah, my girlfriend doesn't agree. Too much time in the garage. Lol.

 

[B.M.800]

They jus dont understand, its all good yo.

 

[guitars11]

Awesome. 220 ain't nothing but two 110s. You just need to tie them together real careful and with the right equipment or you may have had your last go kart ride and then I have to take back your Christmas present. Sounds like you are in good hands. As we say in scooterville, RIDE SAFE!

 

[mysteryboy28]

Thanks Dad. Sadly I don't think I can run an additional 110 line to the garage, considering the garage is 40 feet from the house. If I turn this go-kart building into a real money maker - then it'd be worth it.

Got the brake installed, now to design/install the steering system. Gotta make sure everything lines up perfect!

 

[mysteryboy28]

Got the steering mostly done today. Still need to figure out the best way to link up the tie rods to the steering shaft, while keeping the geometry correct. Kept the Ackerman steering geometry in mind when I made the pitman arms.

 

[kyjohn]

Anyway you can use a rack and pinion on there? That would be cool.
http://www.sandparts.com/servlet/the-343/Rack-and-Pinion-11"/Detail

 

[landuse]

Looking good. Keep it up

 

[mysteryboy28]

I would LOVE a rack and pinion, just not in the budget right now.

 

[r97]

Keep in mind that to avoid bump steer, the tie-rod must follow the same arc as the A-arms. The way this is achieved is by having the tie-rod pivot (Closest to center of kart) inline with the A-arm pivots. To do that without a rack and pinion your going to need to either get creative, or change the frame design.

Some bump steer is acceptable, although with your setup it might be excessive. If your interested, look into shortening a used car steering rack.

 

[mysteryboy28]

Steering is complete! Bump-steer appears to be minimal. Now to hook up the gas and brake pedals and buy gas and brake lines.

 

[r97]

Looks good, hopefully your bump steer wont affect you very much at full speed. Only thing I would suggest is to work on improving the welds a bit. Slow down a good bit more, your weld should blend into the base metal, not sit on top.

 

[mysteryboy28]

I really hate my 90 amp flux-core welder. Lol.

 

[r97]

LOL, I had the Lincoln electric weld pack-HD, 88A flux core wire feed welder. The little thing was great! I have no experience with the chines knock-offs, but I know people have used them with success. Practice makes perfect, get some scrap metal and try slowing down more, you should be right on the edge of making a good weld, and burning through.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I really hate my 90 amp flux-core welder. Lol.

Unless there's something wrong with it, you should have no problem fabbing an entire kart end-to-end with 90 amps.

Kart's looking terrific! (Other than the fact that you really do need to grind out and redo a bunch of welds.) but don't panic- practice makes perfect.

 

[mysteryboy28]

I'm going to try and get my hands on a better welder and redo a good portion of my welds.

Meanwhile here's some pics of a possible roll-cage in several colors. What's your vote?