Kids go kart build.

[Micscience]

Hi I have been registered for awhile now I was going to build a two seat go kart like two years ago instead I built a lathe but now it's time to build the go kart.

Most of the go kart will be made instead of purchasing kits. I have never built a go kart so this will be a learning experience for me.

So I gathered materials and I have a square frame already welded it is from a motorcycle crate. I cut off most of the pieces I don't need.
I originally wanted a two seat go kart but now I am tempted to build a 1 adult and 3 kids seat go kart. The frame is long enough I made three kids sit on the frame with me however I'm conflicted on 2 or 4 people.

The engine is a 6.5 196cc engine. I have rode 3 kids on my scooter down the street which is 50cc so I'm thinking a 196cc engine can handle 4 people. At the moment I am not planning on building the kart for speed just enough speed to ride the kids to the park and drive up a hill or two.

I have a lot of concerns and questions I will ask throughout the build so I hope you guys can help me out.

This here is the frame as it sits it is basically a rectangle. I was going to leave the overall shape as is if there were going to be 4 seats if I make it a two seater then I will obviously shorten the frame. Thanks a bunch

 

[Hellion]

I think you're going to need a bigger engine for that amount of weight (passengers) and the hills you wish to traverse.

Add in a Torq-A-Verter as well.

 

[Bbqjoe]

There's enough room there for two adults, three kids, and two rotaderps.

 

[Kartorbust]

You'll probably want at least a 13hp engine, be it a GX390 or Predator 420. You're going to need a lot more power than what a single 6hp engine will do, unless you really gear it low, like around 10:1. Assuming total weight (finished kart and passengers) of about 700lbs, you may want to even look at getting a v-twin engine or maybe an ATV engine around the 200-400cc range.

Still could use that 196cc engine for a kid kart like a single seater or small two seater. But that small engine will really be anemic for a 4 seater.

 

[Micscience]

The kart has evolved into a two seater. I have a few questions though is it alright to build the steering system like the steering wheel neck, pitman arm, tie rods and also weld the spindle axles to the frame without the tires? The only thing I can think of is the bore of the tire needs to match the spindle tire bolt.

I would like to continue adding onto the kart while looking for tires.

Also I read here that the steering arm should be 8" apart from the left side of the frame and at a 48" inch distance from front tire to back tire. Is this really necessary?

Last question does it matter if the front tires are set apart wider than the rear tires to which would allow me to shorten the length of the drive axle?

 

[Ebrownie]

So about the 48 inch front to back thing you mentioned: there is no precise measurement for this. What you need is a correct wheelbase:track ratio. Wheelbase is front axle to back axle measurement, and track is the width between the centers of the tires. Your wheelbase:track ratio should be in the neighborhood of 4:3. For example, 60 inch wheelbase:45 inch track, which simplifies to 4:3. This does not have to be precise, but it helps with handling and overall geometry.

 

[Micscience]

Well in my haste I made the front tires width 44 inches wide from center to center of front tires. The kart seems wider than most go karts and I'm not sure if I should bring the spindles in more or not because I will have a hard time finding an axle long enough to match the width of the front.

 

[mckutzy]

You can make it what ever size you want... Keyed shaft comes in all sorts of lengths... Cut down a common 48" shaft.