First kart project.

[oldbikerarlo]

Gopedude, keep up the good work, I love what your doing. At first I thought what a fool this kid won't listen to a thing. But now I'm leaning in your direction. You are learning a lot by doing it the way you think, it should be. Thomas Edison said while working on the light bulb, he didn't fail 100's of times, he found out what didn't work. You are thinking out side the box, that is where great ideas come from. keep the photos comeing.

 

[oldbikerarlo]

If you look at my avitar, it is a slot car, made from popcicle sticks. Wood actualy made a very good bearing, I have some high priced slot cars, that do not run as well as the cheap wooden home made one. You are just building on a larger scale. Don't let nasayers stop you.

 

[Gopedude]

Gopedude, keep up the good work, I love what your doing. At first I thought what a fool this kid won't listen to a thing. But now I'm leaning in your direction. You are learning a lot by doing it the way you think, it should be. Thomas Edison said while working on the light bulb, he didn't fail 100's of times, he found out what didn't work. You are thinking out side the box, that is where great ideas come from. keep the photos comeing.

Thanks, that really means something. Finally someone is seeing my thought process.
I have to slow the building processs for school, but will keep this thread updated with progress.

 

[Gopedude]

If you look at my avitar, it is a slot car, made from popcicle sticks. Wood actualy made a very good bearing, I have some high priced slot cars, that do not run as well as the cheap wooden home made one. You are just building on a larger scale. Don't let nasayers stop you.

I plan on having the wheel free spinning on the axle. So the axle would stay stationary and not spin.
Nice slotcar. In the 8th grade there was a contest of whos slot car could reach the end of the track first when shot with air. After lots of experimenting with the design, i won 2nd place.

 

[Rivvy03]

gopedude, I am curious as to where the engine is going to fit in in this contraption? You said those boards are for the bench seat, well by the looks of it there is no room for an engine. Are you going to add any sort of flooring like some plywood or something so your footsies don't get dragged under? How is that 4hp brigs, turned on its side with i hope fuel tank put upright, clutch, chain, some sort of brakes all gonna fit in that tiny area behind your bench seat? I am new to the karting world but not to mechanics/ fabrication dept. I TRULY believe that you NEED to rethink your whole kart plan then think about it again then take what these guys are SUGGESTING that you do as they would NEVER steer someone in the wrong, Safety is ALWAYS FIRST!!

 

[Rivvy03]

Oh and i did read that you plan on getting a steel frame in a couple months, just not sure why someone would want to go through all the hassle and "tried that but didn't work" thing just to scrap it for something better that they know they are going to buy in a couple months. Maybe stop and save some $$, cut some grass or whatever for some extra dough to put towards that new frame. I admire your work ethics, but somethings just do not work well together. Its kinda like beating a dead horse.

 

[Gopedude]

gopedude, I am curious as to where the engine is going to fit in in this contraption? You said those boards are for the bench seat, well by the looks of it there is no room for an engine. Are you going to add any sort of flooring like some plywood or something so your footsies don't get dragged under? How is that 4hp brigs, turned on its side with i hope fuel tank put upright, clutch, chain, some sort of brakes all gonna fit in that tiny area behind your bench seat? I am new to the karting world but not to mechanics/ fabrication dept. I TRULY believe that you NEED to rethink your whole kart plan then think about it again then take what these guys are SUGGESTING that you do as they would NEVER steer someone in the wrong, Safety is ALWAYS FIRST!!

This is why im completing the frame before i even start on the engine. I think there will be enough room for the motor to be in the back. Yes, i am going to put some plywood footboards. Might even put plywood under the whole thing.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Mods I move we lock this crap down.

I have no intention of locking this, as long as everybody stays civil. There is no forum crime committed in a member having a wild concept, even if most think it's totally offside.

There is no forum crime in criticism or stubbornness on anyone's part.

And no- I honestly don't know why one would go to all this trouble when a proper frame is in the short term future plan. I understand the basis of a proof-of-concept build, but this doesn't really fit the criteria in my mind.

Either way- build on. DO heed safety and design tips and criticism from the other members, and bear in mind that many of us have actually built things...

One other point I'd like to make AGAIN heeds back to the radio analogy- this is not a pile of individual parts, this is a whole- a sum of the parts. I feel you need to take a step back and actually design something, rather than smack a few parts together with no forethought. Otherwise, you're destined to rip apart everything you've done a dozen or so times, as you slowly discover that the next piece of the puzzle simply will not fit with the prior pieces.

 

[Gopedude]

I have no intention of locking this, as long as everybody stays civil. There is no forum crime committed in a member having a wild concept, even if most think it's totally offside.

There is no forum crime in criticism or stubbornness on anyone's part.

And no- I honestly don't know why one would go to all this trouble when a proper frame is in the short term future plan. I understand the basis of a proof-of-concept build, but this doesn't really fit the criteria in my mind.

Either way- build on. DO heed safety and design tips and criticism from the other members, and bear in mind that many of us have actually built things...

One other point I'd like to make AGAIN heeds back to the radio analogy- this is not a pile of individual parts, this is a whole- a sum of the parts. I feel you need to take a step back and actually design something, rather than smack a few parts together with no forethought. Otherwise, you're destined to rip apart everything you've done a dozen or so times, as you slowly discover that the next piece of the puzzle simply will not fit with the prior pieces.

Double post

 

[Gopedude]

I have no intention of locking this, as long as everybody stays civil. There is no forum crime committed in a member having a wild concept, even if most think it's totally offside.

There is no forum crime in criticism or stubbornness on anyone's part.

And no- I honestly don't know why one would go to all this trouble when a proper frame is in the short term future plan. I understand the basis of a proof-of-concept build, but this doesn't really fit the criteria in my mind.

Either way- build on. DO heed safety and design tips and criticism from the other members, and bear in mind that many of us have actually built things...

One other point I'd like to make AGAIN heeds back to the radio analogy- this is not a pile of individual parts, this is a whole- a sum of the parts. I feel you need to take a step back and actually design something, rather than smack a few parts together with no forethought. Otherwise, you're destined to rip apart everything you've done a dozen or so times, as you slowly discover that the next piece of the puzzle simply will not fit with the prior pieces.

I know it may not seem like it but i am planning every step i do. Since this is my first time building a kart, im obviously not going to get everything right. I am heeding members advice and tips, but not all. Some things i just want to try my way, and if it doesnt work? Try something else.

I am making this safe. I think a good step would be to test (like i did the first time) with someone pushing me whenever i try a new wheel/frame/config setup.

I wouldnt categorize myself as stubborn. Curiosity would be a better term to use.
Another thing is my parents might actually disapprove of a steel frame. Thats just how they are, even though its a bit ironic safety wise.

This kart is a learning tool and something to keep my mind busy (other than schoolwork)
I am challenging myself to spend as little as possible. So far i have only bought the door hinges. Everything else i already had.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

No- I'd use stubborn. LOL- don't worry- it takes one to know one. I'm stubborn as he//...

Regarding having a friend push you, I'm glad you do, and it is a good first step towards verifying the functionality of a component or a system. My concern, however, is that there is a BIG leap between having a buddy give you a shove, and having an engine (potentially with a mind of it's own) pushing you.

No- you're not going to get everything right the first time, and anybody with half a brain will understand that. We're just trying to help get you that much closer to it.

Nothing in particular wrong with trying things your way, but bear in mind my previous comments about accepting (or not) others' past R&D.

 

[Gopedude]

Im pretty sure this will generate a lot of hate, but you'd have to actually see how strong it is in reality. The pic doesnt do justice.
I would like to hear criticism, praisal,
But please no completely negative comments.
I do realize the tire has a crappy turning radius, but its being fixed. Eventually.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

The hinge pin (acting as the king pin) is waaay too far back from the wheel center. If it trails the wheel, steering will be hairy as he//. If it leads the wheel, it will steer hard. In addition, that will not tolerate the shear load placed upon it.

You can use hinges like that for pedals, maybe, but not that. If you want a low-buck, no-weld frontend, try this.

 

[Gopedude]

The hinge pin (acting as the king pin) is waaay too far back from the wheel center. If it trails the wheel, steering will be hairy as he//. If it leads the wheel, it will steer hard. In addition, that will not tolerate the shear load placed upon it.

You can use hinges like that for pedals, maybe, but not that. If you want a low-buck, no-weld frontend, try this.

Im a bit confused which way that spindle/kingpin works (your link)

 

[DaiSan76]

Im a bit confused which way that spindle/kingpin works (your link)

It would require something that you don't have. You are going to have a heck of a time mounting spindles. Your best bet would probably be to get a set of these, drill 2 holes in the mounting bracket, and bolt it to your frame.

http://www.bmikarts.com/Complete-Spindle-Set--58-_p_1319.html

 

[Gopedude]

It would require something that you don't have. You are going to have a heck of a time mounting spindles. Your best bet would probably be to get a set of these, drill 2 holes in the mounting bracket, and bolt it to your frame.

http://www.bmikarts.com/Complete-Spindle-Set--58-_p_1319.html

Thankyou for this!!
If im not able to get a steel frame in a good amount of time, i will get those.

 

[machinist@large]

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!!!! Really? Wow. I am just going to sit back and enjoy this one.

Someone mentioned that this post is like the one of that Korean guy building his shed posted by Jamyers. Well, this one is actually better.

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21529

Thanks for showing me a way to waste ~4 hrs time, Paul; while this thread has it's moments, I don't think you can make a direct comparison between the two other than saying they have opposite problems. The building is supposed to stay still and won't, the kart here is supposed to..... well, you get the idea. (That and building without a plan.......)

Gopedude, experiment with the hinges IF YOU MUST, but budget for the correct spindles; like Daisan said, it'll save you a lot of grief.

 

[OzFab]

just not sure why someone would want to go through all the hassle and "tried that but didn't work" thing

I'm a great believer in "don't knock it 'til you try it". I've lost count of the pointless things I've done over the years just to prove that I could do it, (like polishing a sprocket); sometimes you fail but you never lose! If nothing else, you gain experience...

The moral is if I didn't attempt those things, I wouldn't know what works & what doesn't, nor would I realise the full extent of my abilities...

 

[Rivvy03]

Fab, I agree with what you are saying and logically speaking that is a very good point. My only reasoning for that was he said he was getting a metal frame in a few months and just wondering why someone would go through the headache and haggling of parts and fellow members just to basically "scrap" the project and start fresh with something completely different. Just doesn't make to much sense to me but to each his own i guess.

 

[Gopedude]

Fab, I agree with what you are saying and logically speaking that is a very good point. My only reasoning for that was he said he was getting a metal frame in a few months and just wondering why someone would go through the headache and haggling of parts and fellow members just to basically "scrap" the project and start fresh with something completely different. Just doesn't make to much sense to me but to each his own i guess.

Its all in the fun and experience.
Thats why.