I need some plans for a small, racing style gokart /buggy frame.

[BMPoland1993]

Hey all,

I am looking for some plans (blueprints, with measurements) for a nice, compact go-kart frame. You can see what I mean in the picture/s below:

I do not know whether to use round or square tubing. I think that using round tubing for the project would make everything considerably more difficult and expensive too. However, I do like the way round frames look on go-karts, rather than square metal.

What I am looking for is a frame that could support a 390/420cc engine and a 40 series torque converter. Moreover, I would like to see some spring spindles in order to absorb some of the bumps that this cart will definitely be facing. (In my previous build I have made a full suspension gokart/buggy, and would now like to try something different).

I have looked through Google, and have found nothing that would help me at least to estimate the measurements needed for this build. Hopefully someone on the forum should be able to help.

Square or round, please send in any plans/measurements you may have, it would be tremendously helpful.

Thank you,

B.

 

[Willie1]

Try this site - it was a link on the Go Powersports site.
Go Kart Plans | Download Free PDF - KartFab.com

 

[BMPoland1993]

Looking for something a little bit more professional, thanks though.

 

[Denny]

Are you into vintage or modern race chassis. Either one never had suspensions. Go Powersports used to sell a vintage MANCO styled frame kit. They are in Keller Texas. If you are looking for a modern race type chassis then try Craigslist or some other local for sale site.

 

[anderkart]

Here's some measurements from my old race Kart. It was a mid-90's era Biesse B3 model.
You'll find more pics & info about it in my old thread here: https://www.diygokarts.com/community/threads/my-race-kart-project.3664/

The Chromoly frame rails are 33mm diameter, with a 3mm. wall thickness.

 

[Maxx Levell]

Here is one I found posted in a YouTube build a couple of years ago. It's metric, but the conversions are pretty simple. It's as complete as I've found. I keep saying I'm going to redraw it in Bend-Tech with Imperial dimensions, but I just haven't taken the time to do it yet.

Here is the link to the YT video...

 

[BMPoland1993]

Thanks @Maxx Levell & @anderkart for your response. Both carts seem to be a tad too short to accommodate a 390cc/420cc engine on them, and I dont want a cart where you sit near one side so that the engine is next to you like in traditional gokarts.

Maybe I should have said in my first post that I would like to see my kart a cross between a "typical" kart and a sort of buggy. Looking for something nice and small though, but with space for a big engine at the back.

Something like this:

The guy has promised to upload plans for this kart.. so far it's the best example of a kart that I would like to build..

 

[Denny]

Then just design one and build it yourself.

 

[madprofessor]

That 13hp. engine you want to use has a lot of torque, but the twisting of the frame you seem to be concerned about doesn't extend to the entire frame. If you build your own kart you can just make sure the rear end is extra beefy. Talking about the axle mount and motor mount part only, beef it enough to stop twist sprocket to sprocket and the rest can be kept lighter.

 

[BMPoland1993]

Do you think you can put off-road tires on a gokart? (like a tony kart or whatever)

 

[madprofessor]

Do you think you can put off-road tires on a gokart? (like a tony kart or whatever)

Folks do that all the time, and a 13hp. engine will suffice to run them. From posts I've seen here, apparently 18" tires are the standard size offroad tires folks are running with the 420cc 13hp. engines. I believe 8" rims are what folks are using for that, with "4 x 4" bolt pattern hubs, meaning 4 bolts on a 4" bolt circle.

 

[Denny]

I think you may run into clearance issues with larger tires. It may need some modifications.

 

[madprofessor]

It may need some modifications.

Very true, and simply using rims with adequate offset to prevent rubbing could be very difficult to find. Building spindles with extra long and extra beefy axles (that won't bend) works for the front to keep the tires off of the frame. The rear probably only calls for an axle that extends well out beyond the frame for the same reason, hence the need for extra beefy axle. Facing that same dilemma myself to get my 8" wide tires on. Have to cut my axle between bearings (there's 4), spread it 2.5" in each direction, and slide on a piece of pipe to weld up solid, including slices at both ends to weld through and fill up with weld. Much easier for me than frame modifications.

 

[@gokartgod]

Thanks @Maxx Levell & @anderkart for your response. Both carts seem to be a tad too short to accommodate a 390cc/420cc engine on them, and I dont want a cart where you sit near one side so that the engine is next to you like in traditional gokarts.

Maybe I should have said in my first post that I would like to see my kart a cross between a "typical" kart and a sort of buggy. Looking for something nice and small though, but with space for a big engine at the back.

Something like this:

The guy has promised to upload plans for this kart.. so far it's the best example of a kart that I would like to build..

Yes Sir! We do plan on uploading frame plans for a similar style of frame! We have taken our mistakes and some of our favorite features from that kart and bundled them into the best of both worlds. The Engine will be side-mounted and there will be instructions on how to mount a larger engine like a 390 or 420. They will be built around using a 212 with torque converter but with special instructions included in the plan, you could mounta big block even with a torque converter! Tires-wise, there will be no bumpers allowing for pretty much any size tire!

 

[redflash]

If you think any given plan is too short for you.....just simply extend the length of the main frame tubes 6, 10, 12 inches. and achive the overall length you want !

Da Flash

 

[Willie1]

That 13hp. engine you want to use has a lot of torque, but the twisting of the frame you seem to be concerned about doesn't extend to the entire frame. If you build your own kart you can just make sure the rear end is extra beefy. Talking about the axle mount and motor mount part only, beef it enough to stop twist sprocket to sprocket and the rest can be kept lighter.

Entire frame - no. I do think the frame strength shouldn't stop in the engine area though - it needs to be maintained up to under the seat area. Reason I say this is that the engine torque transmitted through the chain tries to push the front of the tire down and lift the chassis up, as in a wheel stand. More torque will try to exert more leverage to lift the chassis - with the heaviest point being the rider - and it needs frame stiffness to continue at least to the front of the seat to keep the frame from flexing between the engine area and rider. This is the reason many carts run 2 tubes forward (on each side) to about the knee area and then switch to single tubes.