four-wheeled reverse "trike"?

[jeremy schmidt]

Hi all! I'm new to this forum. I've got this idea to make a gokart with the back wheels just a couple inches apart, sort of like a reverse trike with two wheels in back. The purpose? You get the traction of a gokart without the need for a differential. Has this been tried? Anyone have ideas?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Or, you could use a wider tire back there. I think I have seen examples of two tires placed closely together before.

As far as the "need" for a diff, well- karts don't generally "need" one. On the other hand, having a single rear tire or two close together sacrifices some stability.

 

[jeremy schmidt]

Ok, i don't NEED a diff, it just makes it work smoother. plus, everybody has a gokart. i want something different. one problem is that if the drive chain is at the side, the axle can twist slightly, so i'd like to have it in between them. (as you can see, i'm being too picky again..) if the chain is between, the engine will have to be off center, out of balance. maybe my idea isn't so great.:wink2:

 

[qtband]

The engine won't be off-center if you put a jackshaft on it.

 

[Acavet]

If your going to put the tires close together you may as well make the setup simple and just use the single tire. No matter how close you put them one tire will always drag when cornering. Your not going to gain anything with the additional tire, you might have twice the contact area with the ground but only half the weight pressing down on each tire.