I recently started building my first go kart (fully wooden) I have no prior experience with car parts or any go kart building experience for that matter. And have designed it based off of the classic wooden design with the foot steering. I have already built the frame and front foot steering using a pivot bolt. For the front wheels I used two pillow block bearings with two 5/8 bolts for my tires which had 5/8 bores which are then tightened with a nut. The front steering is fine other than the fact that I need more washers because the front tires are to close to the wood and scrape against it. My real question comes from the rear axle. I have been using Claude ai to help me out with the build but I have come to the part where I want to put the rear wheels and axle on to test out its rolling/ sturdiness. I was originally going to get two more 5/8 bore pneumatic 6-10 inch tires from harbor freight with two more 5/8 pillow block bearings and for the axle use a steel cold rolled pressed rod which would also be 5/8. I brought this up with Claude and they informed me that this wouldn’t work as once I connect the axle sprocket and chain the axle will roll inside the wheels causing the wheels to not roll with the axle or that the power transfer would not work because even though it fits on the tires aren’t locked on. My question is do I need to buy a keyed axle and keyed wheels. They also recommended me a sprocket hub which I can use set screws to screw it down. It’s a good amount of money to spend on something that I don’t know if it will be compatible. I know this post is all over the place but I am just looking for some guidance.
First time go Kart Build
- Thread starter Lil_hej
- Start date
Denny
Canned Monster
Oh, boy. Where do I start. So many things are wrong with your build. For a push kart it’s great. For a gas powered kart it’s an ankle breaking nightmare.
First let’s start off with your age, how old are you? What tools do you have access to? You may be better off starting with a used frame from Craigslist or bookface market place.
I’m not trying to be mean. Just honest.
First let’s start off with your age, how old are you? What tools do you have access to? You may be better off starting with a used frame from Craigslist or bookface market place.
I’m not trying to be mean. Just honest.
I’m basing it off of “Build break repeats” 7 year old video where they build a wooden go kart. I’m 19 and have access to basic tools, but nobody I know or in my family is familiar with any of this kind of stuff so there won’t be any parts that I can make work laying around. I built it out of wood due to the cost I wanted a summer project but didn’t want to spend too much on it because all the money I am making right now I need to put towards paying for school. The frame itself is sturdy, I used a saw to cut around half a pallet and then reinforced it with some plywood.what part are you saying is wrong. I know I’m not an expert by any means but would really like to pursue this without buying a new frame and while using the one I built. I go back for school in less than a month so I atleast want to have an idea of the end result even if I don’t get to finish it
Edwin Spangler
Well-known member
- Messages
- 976
- Reaction score
- 968
Pictures will help bigly.
Sparkwizard
Well-known member
If you plan to build a kart frame for a gas engine, plan on spending well over $500 with tires, wheels, sprockets, brakes, steering components, seat, engine and misc. hardware. All of that comes AFTER you have a solid frame.
(it’s root beer, not that other thing)
Sparkwizard
Well-known member
Well, that looks .... hmmm, not sure what to say. Steering stops would be a good idea.
Hellion
Murderator
- Messages
- 9,000
- Reaction score
- 4,000
Safety Third!
He will learn to modulate the steering as the Radio Flyer (little red wagon) steering has some interesting handling issues. At least it has low ground clearance.
Hellion
Murderator
- Messages
- 9,000
- Reaction score
- 4,000
I would do a sprocket hub or a one-wheel-peel setup... It’s basically a mini bike drivetrain on the left rear of the kart... but I didn’t watch the video to see what they did.
Master Hack
Well-known member
Don't let anyone discourage you from using HF or other chinese wheels/tires.
They are of the finest quality and will last a few minutes, lf you don't push en too hard.
Here is a video of their best tires in action.
youtube.com
They are of the finest quality and will last a few minutes, lf you don't push en too hard.
Here is a video of their best tires in action.
IMG 5793
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtube.com
Hellion
Murderator
- Messages
- 9,000
- Reaction score
- 4,000
Whitetrashrocker
Inmate #952016
Close your mouth Denny, your not a codfish.
Sparkwizard
Well-known member
They used 5/8 bolts on each side, through a couple pieces of 1.5 inch square tubing bolted to each side and bolted to the wood frame. Minibike wheel, band brake on the wheel and a clutch on a Predator 212.
You really should watch the video.
Denny
Canned Monster
Long rusty nails going through the seat will help keep you in the seat. Just make sure they stick up about an inch above the plywood. Pointy end up of course.
Hellion
Murderator
- Messages
- 9,000
- Reaction score
- 4,000
Please post photos of how the frame looks currently and we can go from there. The time crunch you have yourself in really sucks dude. Summer’s over and the kids ‘round here are already back in their chains.
We have had several wooden karts here. Most recently was a guy who made an UTV with golf cart parts.Can anyone find that thread? He painted it forest green. Found it:
Do you have an engine?
We have had several wooden karts here. Most recently was a guy who made an UTV with golf cart parts.
tire pressure.
have built an atv from palate wood with 212cc predator . i weigh 200 the cart about 300 . can i lower tire pressure for smoother ride?
www.diygokarts.com
Do you have an engine?
Last edited:
It looks small but the frame is 2 and a half feet by 4 feet the wheels are just long I’m 6’2 200 pounds and it fits very well
Okay thanks. Do you have any video links where they show setting one up.
Edwin Spangler
Well-known member
- Messages
- 976
- Reaction score
- 968
Im not sure what to say. Okay im not being rude at all, you just need to do a LOT more research into this.
Again, not being rude but.. I can tell by the way this contraption is assembled that this whole project is a death waiting to happen. You need to do a lot more studying before you start to assemble anything.
There are incredible forces exerted by anything powered by an engine or motor. Probably 1000x what duct tape and a grade-China bolt will hold.
To make this work properly and safely, youre going to need a budget of some sort, a parts list, and an assembly plan. Plus a lot more knowlege into the subject. You cant just willy-nilly cobble this and that together.
-And just for a little disclaimer.. I would have done something exactly the same when I was younger.
Again, not being rude but.. I can tell by the way this contraption is assembled that this whole project is a death waiting to happen. You need to do a lot more studying before you start to assemble anything.
There are incredible forces exerted by anything powered by an engine or motor. Probably 1000x what duct tape and a grade-China bolt will hold.
To make this work properly and safely, youre going to need a budget of some sort, a parts list, and an assembly plan. Plus a lot more knowlege into the subject. You cant just willy-nilly cobble this and that together.
-And just for a little disclaimer.. I would have done something exactly the same when I was younger.
Hellion
Murderator
- Messages
- 9,000
- Reaction score
- 4,000
Edited to add: Oh come on Edwin. Kart’s not going to be fast enough to kill....not yet, just fast enough to injure 
and karts are inherently dangerous by their very nature.
Watch the video. There’s a parts list in it.
Just do it the way they did it. Do the entire kart the way BBR did it and at 9:40 they show the one-wheel-peel or one wheel drive. Only thing I would change, maybe, is to go to #35 chain as it gives you more sprocket options (more teeth per inch or however you want to say it).
How far away are the front wheels from each other? That track width looks excessive. Just measured my basic Manco two-seater, the track width is about 34” center of wheel to center of wheel. Don’t make the kart (or the wheelbase) super long either or it will handle like a school bus with a 500ft turning circle.
and karts are inherently dangerous by their very nature.Watch the video. There’s a parts list in it.
Just do it the way they did it. Do the entire kart the way BBR did it and at 9:40 they show the one-wheel-peel or one wheel drive. Only thing I would change, maybe, is to go to #35 chain as it gives you more sprocket options (more teeth per inch or however you want to say it).
How far away are the front wheels from each other? That track width looks excessive. Just measured my basic Manco two-seater, the track width is about 34” center of wheel to center of wheel. Don’t make the kart (or the wheelbase) super long either or it will handle like a school bus with a 500ft turning circle.
Last edited: