Gonna build a go kart!!

[pmat]

I am very psyched about finally building a go kart!
I think i have a good idea of what i am doing, but i have a few questions...
1. Does anyone have plans, or atleast dimensions of the 2 seater kart mentioned on this site?
2. Can i use a disk brake off of a car? or would the hydraulics be to much of a pain? what do you recommend?
3. Would 1 inch square tubing be strong enough in the 2 seater to hold atleast 300 lbs of people?
4. Can i find steel tubing at a local hardware store, or do i have to go to a metal shop?
5. If i use a dirtbike/motorcycle engine and trans, can i use a foot pedal for the clutch and a floor shifter of some sorts to change gears?

any input is appreciated
thank you =]

 

[dpaxson]

1. i dont but i'm sure someone else will help with this one

2. a car disk brake is total overkill, but it would be doable. i would only recomend it if you have a caliper, rotor and master cylinder sitting around.

3. probably but you're gonna want to get something with at least 1/8" wall. You might want to go with 1 1/4" just to be safe though

4. not in the right lengths and it's a rip off anyways.

5. yes I'm in the process of doing this right now

 

[pmat]

I am running to the salvage yard in the next few days to get the dirtbike engine+trans so i figured i could get the disk, caliper, and ms there for a extra few dollers

 

[dpaxson]

try a motorcycle or scooter disc and caliper instead. much smaller and lighter

 

[modelengineer]

Motorbike caliper, disc and cylinder would be best. It's what I'm using.
Also, for a two seater I would use 1 1/2" 0.083" wall tube. The larger size, thinner wall tubing is MUCH more rigid than the thicker wall, small tubing, and there is not that much difference in weight.
Foot clutch and shifter is easy to do, you just need longer clutch cable and either:
A push pull cable
or
Some kind of linkage
to do the shifter. Very simple.

Good luck, and remember to post pictures for all of us to see!

 

[Raywelder]

Motorbike caliper, disc and cylinder would be best. It's what I'm using.
Also, for a two seater I would use 1 1/2" 0.083" wall tube. The larger size, thinner wall tubing is MUCH more rigid than the thicker wall, small tubing, and there is not that much difference in weight.
Foot clutch and shifter is easy to do, you just need longer clutch cable and either:
A push pull cable
or
Some kind of linkage
to do the shifter. Very simple.

Good luck, and remember to post pictures for all of us to see!

For my brake setup, I ebayed a motorcycle rotor, then bought a 1" weldable hub to fit it at TSC, the hole in the caliper was really close to the hub, so a little work on the lathe, it fit perfect and I just welded the rotor to the hub.

 

[timmytim]

you could put a hand control clutch on the push pull shifter handle.They sell mechanical disk brake setups for go-karts for around 25 bucks..

 

[modelengineer]

Hydraulic would be much better than mechanical though.
IMO foot clutch is better than hand clutch. There are actually a few people on The Edge forum who are changing from hand clutch to foot clutch.

 

[pmat]

Thanks guys, i am definitley using a motorcycle/dbike brake, now, how do you do the live axle set up? and how would i put a brake rotor on it?

heres a very, very crude plan of what im doing

 

[r_chez_08]

steel bar, or a real live axle is better than tube. you will als need bearings on the frame for the axle to run through.

 

[pmat]

I was gonna pack the tube with grease, and slide the solid steel bar through it,

 

[r_chez_08]

that was my origianal idea, but you can pick up a pair of pillow block bearings for £15, which would work a lot better, unless you are on a really really tight budget.

 

[r_chez_08]

take a look at my axle for help.(post 37)

 

[pmat]

those look good, but, i am on a very tight budget
which is another reason i am going with a junkyard dirtbike engine and trans, i figured i could get a whole engine and trans for the price of a new centrifigual clutch.

stupid economy

 

[r_chez_08]

wow! cheap. our tip doesnt sell anything, the french took it over!
i would still use bearings tho, even if you make some housings, but your choice. if you dont mind me asking, whats your budget?

 

[pmat]

>$100
maybe a little more if im a real suck up
can you get those blue axle bearings at lowes or harbour freight?

 

[r_chez_08]

dont seem to but ebay sell them, try pillow block bearing

 

[dragracing1213]

Sounds like a good project and good luck with finding those parts. I would just use a hand shifter and a foot clutch. It would be easier for me to set up anyway...Whatever works try ebay for everything. You can get some deals. Later...

 

[pmat]

the good thing about having a manual is ill be the only one who could drive it in this house

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Make sure your engine is atleast 200cc, i made one with a 100cc dirtbike engine and it didnt have the power i wanted.