How to Build a Go Kart

[MatthewD]

Nice! I am painting my kart orange and black! That looks great!

 

[landuse]

You the man!!

 

[KartFab]

Free Go Kart Plans with PDF Download

Well, after much suffering and anguish learning sketchup (it wasn't that hard really, just time consuming and last minute) I made a complete 3D model of the go kart!!!

I would like to dedicate this post to all the newbies that come here wanting free go kart plans, only to leave when they find out how 'hard' it is to build a go kart (e.g. so I cant build one out of wood? PVC, Copper pipe? No welding? so for like $20 and my half eaten PB&J?). But, for those of you who actually want to build a go kart, this is really for you. Well, here they are. Don't say I never did nuthin' nice for you all. Also thanks go power sports for making a parts kit (even though im sure they are the ones being thankful) for this go kart build so others can follow in the same footsteps if they want to.

free go kart plans with link on page to parts kit

Also, what do you guys think of sketchup? It was a nightmare at first, but thanks to youtube i was able to get some of the shortcuts down and make this model.

 

[landuse]

Plans added to the Helpful Links Sticky

 

[KartFab]

Live Axle Go Kart Plans

So after much mental pain sitting at my computer with a $1 caliper, $5 tape measure, and a whole lot of clicking around, I have managed to make some go kart parts to scale in sketchup. I have had a lot of people ask why I didn't make the go kart live axle, why i didnt put bigger tires, or a torque converter on it (it was a simple go kart!) !! Emphasis on WAS... So I rehashed the plans and will upload them to my website on October first (shameless plug). I just thought I would share what it looks like on sketchup for those that are interested in what sketchup can really do. Sketchup is so cool!

 

[Holybeen]

Looks exactly like a thunder cart frame I have in the shop all but the live axle

 

[Desertduler]

Looks like a cool simple straight forward design that should be easy enough for most people to build.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Looks like a cool simple straight forward design that should be easy enough for most people to build.

Even YOU???? JK Brett.

 

[Desertduler]

Even YOU???? JK Brett.

Yup,it looks so easy that I would attempt it! I like it!

 

[KartFab]

Live Axle Go Kart Plans

Ended up making plans for cheapskates that still want a standard live axle go kart with brake band, 145/70-6 front and rear tires, and a heavy duty centrifugal clutch.

'Deluxe' plans include the 30 series tav2 torque converter, 8" disc brakes, and 18" rear knobby tires.

I made a landing page for people that want to buy the plans for $20 (don't want to sound like I'm advertising it, but I am and wont mention it much again).

Live Axle Go Kart Plans
http://kartfab.com/live-axle-go-kart-plans

Any feedback is appreciated for the landing page.

 

[Poboy kartman]

I thought about this on another thread: 'Check this out'....

When someone suggested a wooden build off contest...I thought of you....and how for a sequel....you should do a wooden: 'How not to build a gokart....'

 

[KartFab]

hmmmm.... i do have a pile of scrap wood in the garage, and i chopped up the old one wheel drive kart.... i think i could drop by harbor freight and get some front wheels and be set.

 

[KartFab]

Submitted Builds

Just thought Id share this on the forum. Here are some of the user submitted build videos and pictures using the plans I have on https://kartfab.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCB6MLW72-k&list=WL&index=18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSPwTnBlPVg&index=19&list=WL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWd0US5iKtw&index=20&list=WL

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Awesome! Must be very rewarding for you.

 

[ond]

I love this thread !

 

[Blackdog]

KF, Just saw this. Nice!
PS...LOVE SketchUp! Awesome free program is so easy to learn. MUCH better than any kind of CAD/AutoCAD for this sort of stuff because as designer you are constantly in 3D viewing mode. Its not abstract "working on the flat" like CAD...its like having a virtual world where you can actually build, rotate parts until they fit, copy parts, enlarge
..very easily as if you are pulling clay...very satisfying. Plus its kinda like Android because its open-source software and a million special "add-on" apps are available for free (officially they are called "extensions") Happy to help anyone get started with SketchUp: it's really a revolutionary tool and very intuitive. And free!

Again...nice job on the whole system... about to start my build if a live-axle with my ten-year-old son this weekend.

 

[PullHorse]

I hope to add some photos to this soon! I haven't had much time to finish it lately, but I'm building the live axle from kartfab. It's basically done, but as I've learned..you are never done. After I paint it and do some mods I'll post.

 

[KartFab]

I hope to add some photos to this soon!

Awesome! Its always cool to see what people come up with for their builds. Here are a few more pics of submitted builds for some inspiration.