Gear Ratio

[kartin-nick]

Hey

I am wondering if a gear ratio of 16 gears on the motor and 45 gears on the axle is alright for my go kart.

The motor is only a whipper snipper but it is fairly powerfull

Thanks Nick

 

[ed1380]

thats less that a 3:1 ratio. and with that small of an engine you want something alot higher. id aim for something around 10:1 maybe even higher

 

[kartin-nick]

Will it not work like that???

 

[kartin-nick]

And it is a really light frame as well

 

[kartin-nick]

Weighs about 15 kilos. Sorry bout the Aussie measurements

 

[ed1380]

the thing is that normal karts with 6.5hp engines use a 5:1 or 6:1 ratio and if you have less than half the hp youll need about twice the gearing

 

[modelengineer]

If you have a 16 tooth clutch/motor sprocket, I'd say you should have a 180 tooth on the axle. Since this isn't practical you should have a jackshaft and go with double reduction.

A whipper snipper motor isn't really powerful enough for a kart.

 

[kartin-nick]

Whats a jackshaft and where can you go to get a 180 tooth cog

 

[ed1380]

you cant get a 180tooth sprocket

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=jackshaft

http://www.gokartnminibikeparts.com/jackshafts_&_jackshaft_kits.htm