Jackshaft help!!!!?????

[speedy_moe]

I am new here and planing on building my own kart. I have one question I am not sure what sprokets to use on the jackshaft. The reason I want to use a Jackshaft is that I am going to build a tandon 2 person go-kart with full suspention. In need enough power to get the thing moving fast off the start but not to kill the high end speed of it.

Any help on understanding how to gear this thing up would be great. I do understand the theory behind how how the jackshaft works but I don't know how to sellect the number of teeth needed to get the torque that I want.

Please help.........

 

[kibble]

Welcome! Have you considered a torque converter? It'll eliminate messing with jackshaft sprocket sizes.

 

[speedy_moe]

I have thought about it but that would put me over budget.

This kart is for my kids (or so I say they are 2 1/2 and 6months) and I know that the thing will get beat up bad since they will be driving on their grandpa's farm which the ground will not be even.

 

[wingnut]

If I understand the original question, you want to improve acceleration while preserving high end speed. I don't understand how a jackshaft will do that for you. A jackshaft just adds another gear reduction step but the gear ratio remains fixed. To get what you're looking for, you need some kind of transmission that will allow you to start with a low gear and then switch to a higher gear once you get going. A torque converter is actually a relatively cheap way to add a kind of transmission to your typical Brigs powered cart.

 

[Pa and Corby]

If I was going to the time and trouble of building a suspention cart, I would put more money towards the engine,drivesystem and suspention then anything else. If you want it to be fast and torquey with two people in it? a centrifical clutch wont do it. I would choose the engine and torque convertor first, then build around that, good luck , PS ive been told several times by reputable small engine mechanics that its much cheaper to buy a old cart and rebuild it, then trying to start from scratch! just food for thought my freind

 

[2or3wheels]

yeah a T/c is best. You can always gear it to go around 20 whilch will give you decient power, that what i have more or less and it pulls me 240 lbs and my cousin 140 lbs togeather.