go-kart flipping? help!

[gilpna]

I recently built a go-kart at school and everything seemed to work fine until i tried turning, the whole kart seemed to want to flip. my guess would be there is something wrong with the caster, but this is the first kart I've owned so i don't know much about it. i know i have some caster because the whole front end rises and drops as i turn the wheel and i'm guessing its positive caster since the rear of the kart is slightly higher than the front. also the distance between the front tires is less than the distance of the rear tires, i don't know if this also contributes to the flipping of the kart. there is no suspension and i have a solid axle in the back. again, i don't know much about karts but i think one of these factors is to blame.

if anyone can determine the problem with the information i will be eternally grateful, if not i will try to take measurements or supply more information

 

[landuse]

Hi gilpa. There are many factors that could contribute to the problems that you are having, but the most likely reason as you have pointed out is your steering geometry. This will include camber, caster and very importantly, ackerman

Have a look at this theread first of all, and then compare it to your kart.

The best thing to do would be to post pics of the front of your kart, with the wheels turned each way, as well as what your spindles look like. Take lots of pics from all angles. This is the only way we will be able to hive you any help

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11760&highlight=camber,+caster

 

[dmaznic]

my bet is your kart is very narrow and the seat is above the wheel axles
ooops!! hard to fix at this point, but you can practice your stunt driving

 

[gilpna]

the images are a little big but here they are
dimensions:
distance between front wheels: 23 inches
distance between rear wheels: 28 inches
distance between front and rear wheels: 43.5 inches
now for the pictures:

 

[jman231994]

All I can say is maybe try lowering your seat a bit. It would lower the centre of gravity, which will make it less likely to flip. Although I dont know much about the way the steering would affect it. Awesome looking kart. I want one haha

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I think your biggest problem is your track width. You've got a pretty narrow footprint. Combine that with a relatively high centre of gravity, and things do tend to get tippy.

 

[gilpna]

i was afraid of that, ill try widening the front to at least match the rear to see if that helps, ill post an update with the results. i wouldnt hold my breath on the response though, this was a super low budget build of $0.00 so it might take me a while to find some scrap angle iron. thanks for the help everyone!

 

[Rebel1]

I agree with both, Top heavy with a narrow track width. Great looking cart.

 

[ghostdog]

How much does the cart weigh? it looks pretty light.

 

[Fastkart]

this kart is awsome except the fact that it tends to flip

 

[Slim jim]

have you tried shopping with that yet

 

[gilpna]

its only about 50 or 60 lbs and im only about 150 lbs, it was made using parts from a pocket bike so we had to go as light as possible. that said, 49cc's makes it kinda hard to take off, i plan on swapping the engine for one from harbor freight.

smooth steering is the key to avoid flipping the cart, so it seems like i can live with it the way it is. if anything i might try lowering the ride height on it later on.

this is a cart ive wanted to build since i was in elementary but i never had materials, tools or knowledge to do it until now. this project was started a couple of weeks ago in a welding class at my local community college as a class project. my aunt had given me a pocket bike about 9 years ago and recently my brother wanted to give it or just throw it away, so it seemed everything came together to make this 11 year old dream come true, thanks to everyone for the kind words!

 

[gilpna]

have you tried shopping with that yet

i dont think stores would be too happy to see what can be done with their shopping carts, it might cause people to start stealing the shopping carts to make their own go-karts

 

[landuse]

its only about 50 or 60 lbs and im only about 150 lbs, it was made using parts from a pocket bike so we had to go as light as possible. that said, 49cc's makes it kinda hard to take off, i plan on swapping the engine for one from harbor freight.

smooth steering is the key to avoid flipping the cart, so it seems like i can live with it the way it is. if anything i might try lowering the ride height on it later on.

this is a cart ive wanted to build since i was in elementary but i never had materials, tools or knowledge to do it until now. this project was started a couple of weeks ago in a welding class at my local community college as a class project. my aunt had given me a pocket bike about 9 years ago and recently my brother wanted to give it or just throw it away, so it seemed everything came together to make this 11 year old dream come true, thanks to everyone for the kind words!

It is a killer looking kart, and you did a fantastic job. If you still want a small engine, you should get the 2.5HP from harbour freight

 

[gilpna]

2.5hp seems weak, im shooting for the 7.5hp to get some decent speed and hopefully get it sideways, hopefully by then the flipping thing is sorted out, maybe the added weight of the bigger engine will help a bit. if not ill just leave the small engine and build a better kart with the bigger engine.

 

[landuse]

2.5hp seems weak, im shooting for the 7.5hp to get some decent speed and hopefully get it sideways, hopefully by then the flipping thing is sorted out, maybe the added weight of the bigger engine will help a bit. if not ill just leave the small engine and build a better kart with the bigger engine.

Personally I would also go for a bigger engine. I mentioned the 2.5HP, because you only have a 50cc at the moment.