GX390 cart. Need some ideas

[Demag]

OK. First cart, father sons project, actually I have three boys and a girl. 6,7,8,9
I have lots of tooling and metal around so the frame isn't a problem. I have welders and a hydraulic bender even. I also have a small old metal lathe so I can make the small stuff.
I want to use it on dirt mainly.
What I'm stuck on is a place to buy the tires, hubs, axles, all that. Anywhere that's kinda a one stop shop. I'm in Canada so Canadian would be great, but if I need to pick it up from the boarder I want it all from one place. I think I want to use a 1" live axle and a 40 tc does that seem reasonable? I know this engine is kinda big, but its free. Its all there. Electric start. I've read a lot and you guys seem great so thanks in advance for some direction.

Jason

 

[bob58o]

What I'm stuck on is a place to buy the tires, hubs, axles, all that. Anywhere that's kinda a one stop shop. I'm in Canada so Canadian would be great, but if I need to pick it up from the boarder I want it all from one place.
Jason

I do my parts shopping online, which is difficult in Canada from (what I've been told). Lots of these parts are expensive to ship to Canada. My axle didn't come from a go kart shop. It came from http://www.mcmaster.com/.

Thanks Pat!!!

It was 1 1/4" keyed steel shaft.
You might look at "out of the box" ideas or ship to someone near the border and then pick up

---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:12 PM ----------

AND WELCOME!!!!! I've read Princess Auto is like the Harbor Freight of Canada; I would love it!!!!! lol

 

[Demag]

Another question, the local princess auto has a tav2 30 with a one inch shaft. If I hear this low enough for the kids and don't remove the rev limiter, will the 30 live?

 

[KartFab]

No. 30 series is for up to 8 HP max. Some 30 series have a 1" bore drive unit because some 7-8 hp engines have a 1" bore.

 

[Demag]

Ok I ordered a 40 series clutch. Mocked up the frame I started on with the engine for some space ideas. Still can't find tires/wheels locally or anywhere that doesn't want as much to ship as the parts cost, so I haven't decided on gearing yet.

[/IMG]



Critique please. First attempt and first attempt at uploading pictures

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Nice! Very nice.

 

[bob58o]

Ok I ordered a 40 series clutch. Mocked up the frame I started on with the engine for some space ideas. Still can't find tires/wheels locally or anywhere that doesn't want as much to ship as the parts cost, so I haven't decided on gearing yet.



This is a case where a specific location in your profile might help out. Others might help look for you too.

What sizes are we looking for? 20"? 18"? 16"?

 

[Demag]

I found some used 16" today from a lawn tractor, I'm going to start with these I think. Made a bit more progress too



---------- Post added at 10:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:12 PM ----------

As far as my profile...I can't see where to add that info. I have tried a couple times. I'll try it on my laptop instead of my phone sometime.
Is there a thread on good alignment techniques for the motor, clutch and sprockets? I couldn't find one.

Jason

 

[landuse]

You click on the Quick Links option above, and then choose the Edit Details option

 

[Jrgunn5150]

To critique your frame, it's hard to tell from the angle, but is it a kick up there behind the seat area? What is the pipe made from and the wall thickness? Is the base of the frame a single piece?

You're off to a great start.

 

[Demag]

It's a single piece yes. 1" .080" wall cold rolled seamed tubing. I had it left from a previous project. Yes there's a 3" kick behind the seat. I may add more triangulation if it flexes. I'll upload more progress pics tonight

 

[Jrgunn5150]

It's a single piece yes. 1" .080" wall cold rolled seamed tubing. I had it left from a previous project. Yes there's a 3" kick behind the seat. I may add more triangulation if it flexes. I'll upload more progress pics tonight

That's better than most store bought kart's, I think it will be fine. Are you doing no suspension, yard-type kart?

 

[Demag]

No suspension. Yeah just around the yard, kid use. Still want it fast and torquey and I want it to steer well. I ordered the axle and steering parts from BMI, just waiting for those. I'm going to get the motor plate in tonight and the alum for the back of the seat frame done. Have to admit I'm really enjoying this.

 

[chancer]

Dude I dont know how I missed this, But very nice job.
Do a little research on the steering there are just a couple details that will make it turn much better.
I just dont feel confident enough to describe it all.

---------- Post added at 09:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:18 PM ----------

Here is my build there is some info there, and also where I made my mistakes.
Look at Desertdulers builds too for good info, That is where I learned.

 

[Demag]

Anyone have a drawing of the motor plate bolt spacing? I searched, can't find one. Save me from trying to get accurate with a tape measure....

 

[Jrgunn5150]

The HF Predator 420 shares the same footprint,

http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/69000-69999/69736.pdf

 

[Demag]

How are you guys squaring the engine output shaft to the axle? Any tricks?

 

[Poboy kartman]

Parallel the engine mounting plate to the frame, square the axle to the frame. Done.

Are you purchasing an engine mounting plate or making your own?

 

[bob58o]

Looks good! I want one.
My mounting plate bolt slots had a little play, so that I could angle the engine ever so slightly to make sure the crankshaft was parallel to the axle.

 

[Demag]

I made my own last night from the layout in that 420 manual. So it's bolted on right now with zero play, one I get the axle I'll square it up. I squared the jack shaft to the front spindle support( just measured back on each side) and I think I'll keep using that as a reference point. I don't have the clutch yet or the axle so I think I'm stuck for now, hopefully the guy in brown gets here before the weekend.




Couple pics. Got the battery box in and jack shaft, I'll cut the shaft to length later.