First Kart Project

[Stratogeezer]

Man, that thing's looking pretty good so far! I like the hinge setup you have on the swing arm... it's simple and it looks plenty strong. And the fatties on the back do look way better! The last couple weekends I havn't managed to get anything done... life keeps getting in the way... Taxes have been filed, so tax return = tires and wheels. Looking forward to that! So far so good though! I like it!

Hey Nerfo - I totally know how that goes. I started finding the only way to make progress was to do a couple hours after work - versus trying to cram it in on the weekends with everything else going on. Anyway - I'm at a stopping point now until the parts I ordered arrive....via UPS ground which means it may be a while!

Post more pictures of yours as you make progress!

 

[Stratogeezer]

What are your plans for clutching/gears? If you use a CVT, that 6.5 should do pretty good. If you go centrifugal, I think you'll have to gear down more than you'd like to get any kind of "zip" taking off- which of course will hurt your top end...

Knowing the CVT would be better (and probably an upgrade later), here is what I ordered...keeping in mind I'm totally new at this:

Clutch: Go Kart 12 Tooth 3/4" Bore Clutch for #35 Chain, plus 60" of #35 Chain w/Connecting link.

Sprocket: Steel plated Unihub for 1" live axle with #35 72 tooth steel sprocket.

Give it to me straight...did I on this order - based on what you see with my kart design?

 

[nerfo]

Well, I wound up with 20 inch rear tires (fun!)... and I bolted a 96 tooth (they make 'em!) sprocket to the ol' unihub. I really want this thing to have some oomph on the trails... and I want to take it easy on my old timey TAV (NOT a TAV2... rats.) Actually, I think it'd be really cool if I could spin the tires a bit in gravel taking off from a stop! I wonder if the wee baby china motor has it in it?

 

[Stratogeezer]

WI wonder if the wee baby china motor has it in it?

I wondered if my 6.5 clone would turn these bigger tires as well. I have been pleasantly surprised with plenty of speed and power. I really thought I'd need a bigger engine. Not the case.

Harbor had the bigger 11 and 13 HP engines on sale last week for $250 an $299 respectively. I thought about it - but that is 3x what I paid for the 6.5. Plus new clutch, etc. Bottom line - I really don't need a bigger engine for this frame it seems. Now, when I take it up to the mountains - I may change my tune - but hey - it works well, why change it and spend more $?

 

[nerfo]

Well, I'm relieved to hear that! I tried to keep my frame as lightweight as possible, but make sure it's MORE than strong enough to support my weight + the shock loads associated with bouncing. I'm looking forward to my first test drive. I fired it up for the first time last weekend and let the engine turn the rear tires on jack stands. I still have to finish the steering, but the gas pedal, brakes, and rear end are all hooked up! It's almost ready for its maiden voyage around the block! I'm as scared about it as I am excited!

 

[Stratogeezer]

Video of Finished StratoGeezer Kart

Here is a video of my finished kart - minus some tweaks that I need to address:

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN_SDAefbEs

 

[khank1995]

nice looks simple, and durable

 

[Jay7]

thanks for sharing your build. i'm working on something similar and found a lot of usefull ideas here. anything you would change in retrospect or needed to tweak?

 

[otaybay]

im no expert but the hinges for the suspension look a little week

 

[Stratogeezer]

thanks for sharing your build. i'm working on something similar and found a lot of usefull ideas here. anything you would change in retrospect or needed to tweak?

The only major thing I would do differently is put two locking wheel collars on either side of the sprocket hub. Just about everything else on the kart preformed quite well - but I experienced the chain coming off quite a few times - and later determined it was more than an alignment issue - it was KEEPING the hub in place.

The suspension works great. The hinges are very strong.

Next modification - I took the clone off this week and am going to be attempting to install an 18HP Briggs Twin.....should be interesting - stay tuned.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Looks pretty good, Strat! Betcha that thing'll redefine the term "divot" with that twin in there. You REALLY need a CVT! Also, if you don't mind, a couple quick points... You'd do well to re-engineer the suspension pivots to include bushings. Thats a neat, creative use of spring hangars, but the stress is concentrated on a couple of points that will probably wear kinda quickly. Also, the expanded steel mesh floor will help you from tearing your feet off, but I'd suggest you bring it further back ('cuz stuff happens), and put a bar from framerail to framerail across the back of it, I see that stuff sagging pretty quickly. Otherwise, looks good! I see that you got the ride height dialled in quite nicely to your weight. How's it ride? I was thinking of doing something very similar to my kart using the rear coilovers from a 1985 Honda Shadow 750. I'm hoping they are stiff enough, but unsure as to whether the travel will be sufficient.
When you bolt on that Briggs monster, I assume you'll have to adjust the spring mounting locations again to compensate for the additional weight.
Nice Build! Chris

 

[Stratogeezer]

Hey - thanks Chris! Yea - those shocks are recycled from a 1970's AJS British dirtbike that my brother still rides. Anyway they are adjustable so while I've got them dialed in now - once I put that Brigggs twin on there I'll have to stiffen them up - or perhaps even find some heavier duty shocks.

The ride is very smooth with the rear end suspension - but naturally with no suspension up front - there is a huge contrast. Generally it's not a problem.

I obtained a CVT that I'm hoping does the trick - we shall see.

I should be able to get started on the Briggs mount in the coming weeks - stay tuned for more pics! Rob