Front suspension

[thtsjon4u]

So i want to build a kart with front suspension, but i want it to have a hot rod straight axle feel. I was thinking suicide-ish dropped front axle with some bicycle rear shocks.

heres a drawing on paint i did to get a visual. Any thoughts? with the shocks i may have to add another tie rod in somewhere to act as a "pan hard" bar.

 

[redsox985]

Have you looked into the single a-arm style front suspension. It's relatively simple and reliable.

 

[thtsjon4u]

yea i thought about it. I wasnt wanting make the best suspension in the world. Just mainly a working mock up of something like this..

 

[redsox985]

It's not the best suspension in the world, it's just the easiest, most practical, and requires the least engineering. That above photo looks like it could be difficult to set up and get working properly.

 

[r97]

i'm with redsox, properly designed a-arms will be much better and will cause less headaches.

 

[redsox985]

It won't look as cool but it will preserve your sanity.

 

[Benjo]

you could use a leaf spring, have a look at this http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8896&highlight=leaf+spring

 

[thtsjon4u]

hmm interesting..if i can get a hold of a short enough leaf spring. Ill end up using what i can.. which usually means by the time im finished it will look completely different as planned.

 

[sideways]

I would do it A-wishbone style, like the standard Ford set up, much easier, cheaper and probably better. Probably wouldn't handle any worse than the set up you pictured. I'd like to make a set up like this with a leaf spring one day.

Thanks

Hayden

 

[thtsjon4u]

Ill have to get some pictures up of progress someday. Plans are for a mini hot rod looking thing. Oh and i have this shopping cart laying around.. most likely will get used.

 

[crazyman]

Small boat trailers have pretty short leaf springs.

 

[devino246]

Surplus center has $19 leaf springs that are 29 inches long:

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=28-1643&catname=

 

[Doc Sprocket]

If you use the bike shocks, you will most definately need to engineer a Panhard bar, Watt's link, or similar locating device, or the frontend will make your decisions for you. If you use a leaf, no problem. I thought about a suicide frontend for a project early in the planning stages. Try looking into the smallest, lightest trailer spring pack you can find. Then, disassemble the pack, removing all but the main leaf. With a little luck, it will be soft enough to soak up the bumps. At worst, it will look really cool while not doing much.
Keep us posted!

PS- If you do use the bike shocks, move them outboard. Having them all the way in will leave you with zero stability.

 

[sideways]

Go to a horse place and see if they have any horse buggy seat springs, they're pretty small and have a suitable stiffness for a go kart.

Thanks

Hayden

 

[angelofhevn]

dude it will work but ur going to be mad before you get finished with it
heres my suggestion:
Go find a cheap China quad :arf: and take the A arms of it and u get yourself a whole set to just make it fit on your kart
thats what i did

 

[bighead]

Snowmobiles have a nice little leaf spring on the skis as well. Infact I have some for sale cheap.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Snowmobiles have a nice little leaf spring on the skis as well. Infact I have some for sale cheap.

Do me a favour, would you please? When you have a chance, can you get me an eye-to-eye measurement on those? I'm still toying with a leaf-sprung concept. Thank you!