MINI CHOPPER FIrst timer

[athif]

Hi, im new here and i think this sight is awsome!!!!

Im trying to build a mini chopper at my school for a recreational project, i will be getting marked on it. Many students have tried and all have failed misserably
(none wanted to spend the money)

Well, im willing to spend some cash and make one for myself and set an example for new auto class students at school. My teacher was generous to give me his 3.5hp motor for free .

I wanted to make a go cart, but people reccomended that i should make a chopper first because its alot easier and cheaper, So im thinking Of making a chopper instead.

I found that this guy http://www.smartkartparts.com/minibikeframe.htm and this guy http://www.gokartnminibikeparts.com/go_kart_&_minibike_frames.htm

both sell mini bike frames for a good price, but i saw a DIY frame on this website which made me think twice before buying a frame.

I live in Canada and i really do not know a good place to buy go kart parts, but a shop names www.princessauto.com sells tubing and mainly all the stuff i need everything except a frame.

I was wondering if i can build a mini chopper for under $200.

I have the engine, the welder and the assistance of fellow classmates.

I dont have a tube bender, will a torch work?

I am thinking of using a 3/4" x 1/16" round tubing, is it too small or weak? i weight 140 pound.

A brake disc set would cost me 100 bucks, is their an alternative, because thats all princess auto sells.

what tires should i use? and what kind of metal should i use for my axle?

thanks for taking the time to read my noob help letter.

all comments will be taken into consideration.

 

[athif]

O ye btw, if anyone is looking into the princess auto website, click on the "catalogue" on the right side of the screen to view all their parts.

 

[robin]

all u need to get is a sprocket clutch and chain and wheels and a brake if you have one ime lucky becuse i live right next to a small indusdreal estate and i can get all the of cuts and bits of pipe with the bends already in it

 

[2or3wheels]

If you dont have a bender, im guessing it will be extremely hard to make the bends right. I think that if on that budjet it would be best to but the 99.99 frame and get rest of the stuff from princess auto or your shop. If you went this direction you would need a twist throttle cable clutch (or torque-converter expensive) chain tires and wheels sproket for rear and band brake and cable/linkage for the brake.

 

[athif]

^ thanks guys, if anyone knows any stores in ontario canada where they deal mini bike frames and parts plz post here, ^ as you where saying, i think its right to buy a frame cause then ide save money from screwing up with the bends.

I wont put brakes or a torque converter cause the brakes cost $120 for 1 brake and a torqe converter would cost $250.

scince this is my first time i think il go with the simple method, thanks.

 

[pete]

brake caliper

hi athif

i'm also from canada, actually in ottawa. where are you located?
princess auto also sells a disk brake caliper it can be found on page 91 under drive components. you don't have to buy the disk that goes with it, you could mount the caliper on the sprocket.

pete

 

[GoAlterBridge]

Don't use tube with a 1/16" wall, that sounds a little weak. I think you could use the 3/4" tube, just with the wall thickness around 1/8". That's a pretty standard dimension.

 

[2or3wheels]

What about a band brake? and i didnt think you were going to get a torque converter. They're expensive here too.

 

[athif]

hi athif

i'm also from canada, actually in ottawa. where are you located?
princess auto also sells a disk brake caliper it can be found on page 91 under drive components. you don't have to buy the disk that goes with it, you could mount the caliper on the sprocket.

pete

i live in brampton, ontario. Princess auto sells the caliper, but its very expensive, im thinking of making a friction brake instead, since this is my first time im not gonna go all out on spending, cause the chances of me screwing up is like 99%.

there is another store called Albatross, they sell alot of stuff for alot cheaper , but they dont have an online catalouge.

But if you know any place around my area which sells parts ide be happy to listen

 

[athif]

What about a band brake? and i didnt think you were going to get a torque converter. They're expensive here too.

where can i get a band brake? there arnt alot of stores which sell parts arnound here in brampton, a torqe converter is reaaaly expensive and it will use my whole budget, unless i can take a trip to the junk yard

 

[athif]

Don't use tube with a 1/16" wall, that sounds a little weak. I think you could use the 3/4" tube, just with the wall thickness around 1/8". That's a pretty standard dimension.

princess auto sells 1" x 3/32", i have some trollys with heavy duty tubing maybe i can use some of those? but i dont have a tube bender

 

[athif]

hi athif

i'm also from canada, actually in ottawa. where are you located?
princess auto also sells a disk brake caliper it can be found on page 91 under drive components. you don't have to buy the disk that goes with it, you could mount the caliper on the sprocket.

pete

where do you buy your parts?

 

[pete]

athif,

i scronge parts around anywhere i can, but most of the time i buy from princess auto. use the band brake from an old 3.5 hp lawn motor. the one's that shut-off when you release the safety hand.

pete

 

[athif]

athif,

i scronge parts around anywhere i can, but most of the time i buy from princess auto. use the band brake from an old 3.5 hp lawn motor. the one's that shut-off when you release the safety hand.

pete

oo you can use those to make a break? cause i have a lawnmower engine in the basement that nobody needs, its from a 5hp B&S would that work? do you know how to set it on a chopper?

 

[pete]

take the cover the flywheel and check it out. the ones i've seen have a band that rubs against the flywheel to stop the motor when you release the safety hand/level.

pete

 

[athif]

cool, thanks for your help

 

[athif]

i havnt really started doing anything to make my mini chopper, i have to wait till school starts before i buy parts, cause my teacher may be able to find shops and places to get the equipment i need, i dont have a pipe bender and i dont know if my teacher has one, will i be able to bend the frame by hand and flame?

 

[pete]

yes. just make sure you pack the pipe full of sand to prevent it from collapsing

 

[athif]

yes. just make sure you pack the pipe full of sand to prevent it from collapsing

wow, sand? do u mean when im bending the tube with a flame or do u mean when the frame is done i pack it with sand, nobody else is gonna touch my chopper, but me, and i weight 140 pounds, do you think it will collapse on me

 

[mikeandike]

no... only wen your bending it. But i remember an older post saying dont use heat with sand in the tube and the ends capped cause sand has moisture in it. moisture + heat = expand. expand = explode.