Help me build my first kart please

[ibrahim123]

Hey guys. I am 17 year old boy who is really interested and excited in building his own go kart and is a total 'noob' in this area. I dont have alot of money to spend on this but i should be able to manage. I have a number of questions which will help me at least to get started with this project:

1. How heavy should my kart be?
2. How strong should my engine be to run at around 60-70km/hour
3. I know how the brake system works but i dont know how the brake pedal works with the cable in order for the brake system to work.
4. How does the 'throttle' system work (including the pedal and how the engine makes the rare wheels spin)
5. Should i design the chassis in specific dimensions in order for the kart to be more effective?
6. What is the best steering system in order for steering to be smooth and not having to really put alot of power to turn.
7. How is the engine actually placed on to the chassis so that it is steady and doesnt fall off?
8. Are there any more hints/tips i should know before starting in order to get the best out of my kart?
9. Approximately how much will this whole project cost

Thanks for taking time to read and answer to my questions guys. If these questions are answered i am sure that i will jnow enough for me to get started with this and i am REALLY excited about it.

If you have any pictures to help me understand even better then plz do post them e.g maybe a chassis frame or the steering system.
Thanks alot guys for ur help!

 

[metalthrashinman]

Sorry, all I can say is WOW; and welcome to the forum.

Maybe I could also suggest the 'search' button, but, um...

Again, welcome to the forum.

 

[Imbo]

Welcome to the forums!

For starters, im a pretty noob kart maker myself. I still have my first kart and i am starting to work on spidercarts.com blackwidow.

I would recommend doing like i did, and many others, and buying a cheap kart/frame on craigslist or a friend.

It wil show you alot of how these work and what you need to do. Search the threads a bit and check other people's builds and questions.

Good Luck to you and there should be more andswers to come

 

[r97]

like said, you can pick up most of the info just looking around. to answer some of your questions i need, the size of the kart (1 or 2 seats)? suspension? where it will be ridden? and just a general description/drawing of what your thinking of.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

where will it be ridden*

Sorry, gramatical errors drive me nuts...

 

[Routy]

how much money and time can you put into it?

 

[dave1701]

WOW

yea.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

The absolute first thing you have to do is settle on a basic plan. Do you want an on-road kart, or offroad. Suspension, or not? Ladder frame or space frame? Roll bar, cage, or nothing? Industrial engine, or something crazier?

Given your complete noobhood, I'd suggest you keep your first build simple. Ladder frame, small industrial engine, no suspension, off-the shelf parts.

Once you have a basic plan, you can start planning around your plan. Research, research, research. Absolutely scour the forum to see what works. Please try to answer your questions with reasearch before asking. We appreciate effort. Cheers!

 

[ibrahim123]

The kart will be driven mostly in roads around my village but also off road. I want it to be a 2 seater. Since its my first time i dont want it to be really complicated so i would not look into suspension. I want the engine to be something strong so that it can run quite fast as i posted nefore so something like a motorbike engine. Additionaly, i will be spending alot of time on this and i do have the tools to help me build it. Money is abit of a problem since i still ho to school but i have my ways to make some money and parents will also support me. What is roll bR and cage? I will be posting a drawing on what i would like it to look like later today.Thanks again guys

 

[devino246]

Rollbar:

Cage:

 

[fowler]

what i did was just hang around the forum for a few months (proberly too long) just reading all the theads and gathering info

 

[devino246]

Yep. The more you read, the more you know and the more ideas you get! Just lurk around the forums for a month or two. You'll wonder how there was ever a time when you didnt know about karts.

 

[gokart14]

what i did was just hang around the forum for a few months (proberly too long) just reading all the theads and gathering info

yep!!!!!!

thats what i did i went through all 14 pages of threads and it sure has helped!!!!!!!!!

 

[ibrahim123]

A cage looks really cool but since i am a beginner i think i should stick with a rollbar since it is easier to build and most probably cheaper.

 

[ibrahim123]

Well. Here is the plan of the cart i am going to build:
http://kartbuilding.net/racingkart/...F/Main_Kart_Complete_02_Labelled_Overview.pdf

A few questions though:

1. Will i be able to fit any engine in that area?
2. Can i actually buy an engine less than 200 dollars that can make me run for more than 60Km/per hour and that can fit in that cart?
Thanks alot guys

 

[MacfarlaneRacers]

Im Using Them Plans For Wooden Petrol Kart
They Seem Good.
Good Luck
Im Sure You Can.
Im Sure If U Look Hard Enough You Can.
Good Luck With The KART !

 

[GokartAA]

dammmm u wanna go that fast as a beginner?? with a basic kart?
well im gathering all my parts tooo for my first ever go kart im gonna buildd ..
wut i did was read ALLOT of the build threads here.. and some of the probs pp had and learn from that..
and searched around on youtube on go kart and i found this http://www.youtube.com/user/Tmanskarts
and this : http://www.youtube.com/user/brendonv101#p/c/27913919B2C0DE34

those helped me allot actually
and 60kmh ?? less then 200 for the engine ,, well i dont think soo.. but u can use a torque converter for more speed..
and btw im going with a http://www.harborfreight.com/engine...al-shaft-overhead-valve-gas-engine-66015.html

and another thing .. this site will explain allot to u to.. www.diygokarts.com

 

[migel101]

[QUOTE=

1. How heavy should my kart be?
2. How strong should my engine be to run at around 60-70km/hour
3. I know how the brake system works but i dont know how the brake pedal works with the cable in order for the brake system to work.
4. How does the 'throttle' system work (including the pedal and how the engine makes the rare wheels spin)
5. Should i design the chassis in specific dimensions in order for the kart to be more effective?
6. What is the best steering system in order for steering to be smooth and not having to really put alot of power to turn.
7. How is the engine actually placed on to the chassis so that it is steady and doesnt fall off?
8. Are there any more hints/tips i should know before starting in order to get the best out of my kart?
9. Approximately how much will this whole project cost




you can find most of this info by just hanging around the forum for a couple of weeks

 

[redsox985]

60km/h is less than 30mph so you should be able to get that out of the HF motor with proper gearing. That 1 page free plan also has a mounting cradle for a bike style motor. The HF motor mounts to a drilled plate.

 

[jayking232003]

OK, I'm not sure anyone has said this yet or not, I got tired of reading. Your not trying to build a go-cart, your trying to build a dune buggy/ sand rail. No one in their right mind is going to build a Go-Cart that goes 60-70 and use the "go-cart" brakes with basic cables. (I HOPE).
What you need to do, is settle down, get a Kart with suspension, choose either power or speed, then...... build,,,,, get a bigger motor, mod it,, better shocks, sprockets, tires, exhaust, re-enforce your roll cage, when your done, sell it and get bigger. your 17, learning small engines will only help you work on your "bigger, faster" Kart/ Buggy. I think a 6.5hp is a good starter. I read where people are getting the honda clones to 50. Do you have a wielder? Its all about tools, time, and cash,