This is also for my 4 wheel drive pedal kart project. After talking to a bike mechanic it sounds like a bike cassette (set of gears off of the rear of a multi speed bike) might not handle the torque of my pedal kart geared down really slow, and with a snow blade on the front. So the idea I have is to make my own cassette from go kart sprockets. On the market I can find #41 sprockets with 60, 54, 52, 48 & 40 teeth. I could put some spacers between each sprocket so the chain would not fall in between them. I am going to use idler sprockets on tensioners.
Multiple gearing with #41 sprockets
- Thread starter UFOpilot
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I doubt a #41 chain is flexible enough sideways to be used in a derailleur.
Also if you look at the sprockets on your bike cassette very closely, the teeth are angled, and there's a matching recess in the chain too, to ease the shifting process.
But I'd like to see someone actually try it
'sid
Also if you look at the sprockets on your bike cassette very closely, the teeth are angled, and there's a matching recess in the chain too, to ease the shifting process.
But I'd like to see someone actually try it
'sid
This morning I draped a loose #41 chain over a 20 tooth sprocket. Next to it was a 2nd 20 tooth sprocket. I pulled on the chain and angled the sprockets and the chain easily jumped over to the other sprocket. I think it could work.
mckutzy
Well-known member
The thing with machine drive chain is that it needs to be under tension to operate well.
I see now this will be for a pedal driven cart, so it might be able to do it under a looser setting, but Im going to guess once the torque is applied, I think it will start to skip teeth, since they are now modified to allow derailing.
What is wrong with the existing setup from a bicycle?
I see now this will be for a pedal driven cart, so it might be able to do it under a looser setting, but Im going to guess once the torque is applied, I think it will start to skip teeth, since they are now modified to allow derailing.
What is wrong with the existing setup from a bicycle?
mckutzy
Well-known member
Let me get this straight.
You want to plow snow with a pedal kart??? The most strongest person in the world isnt
going to have a problem with a bicycle setup.
The snow is going to be the most of the problem.
You want to plow snow with a pedal kart??? The most strongest person in the world isnt
going to have a problem with a bicycle setup.
The snow is going to be the most of the problem.
Doc Sprocket
*********
One way or the other, this oughta be pretty interesting to see! 
Plow the sidewalk instead of shovelling it. I think pedalling would be easier on my back than a shovel. But then if there is a lot of snow or I am in a hurry I would get out the snow blower. This pedal cart is for: 1. exercise for me, especially in the winter time when a bicycle is not feasable. 2. a challenge for me.
Please don't get me wrong here..
But I think with an ordinary bicycle chain you can literally snap your frame in two using just pedal power, before the chain gives away.
So, the least of your problems should be a bigger chain for now
Anyways, if you think it should work, go for it.
I never tried, but if that works reliably,
that might be THE solution for lots of us wanting a multi speed kart (GX based)
personally, I'd rather split the load over two synchronised bike chains on a pedal kart..
(I think that's still cheaper than building ONE #41 cassette)
but that might be just me
'sid
I definitely want multiple speeds. I'd guess your right that bike chains could handle a lot. The sprockets I would guess to handle less torque. #41 sprockets would make it strong enough to handle the torque of a riding mower engine. The bike tech I talked to a week ago said a bike cassette on my machine could be torn up if it were not setup to freewheel when the machine speeds up going down a hill. This led me to think bike cassettes would not be strong enough for this machine geared down to a creeping speed for plowing snow off of the sidewalk. (It will have a disc brake on it)
mckutzy
Well-known member
Now not to be controversial about things...
I think this is what you need, or at least it will be easier in alot of respects.
And there is a number of variants out there, including homemades. Google wheeled snow shovel.
http://www.wovel.com/default.aspx
I think this is what you need, or at least it will be easier in alot of respects.
And there is a number of variants out there, including homemades. Google wheeled snow shovel.
http://www.wovel.com/default.aspx
mckutzy
Well-known member
Well you could do that too, I suppose.
Just trying to suggest a solution to your problem buddy, but if everything we have basically said has been contradicted by yourself as knowing or otherwise been told by your expert, then fine, build your machine and don't ask for our help.
...
Just trying to suggest a solution to your problem buddy, but if everything we have basically said has been contradicted by yourself as knowing or otherwise been told by your expert, then fine, build your machine and don't ask for our help.
...
I do now have 60, 48, 40, 30, 20 and 10 tooth #41 sprockets. I'm a little low on $$ today so I will have to wait to buy 2 or 3 sprocket holders for a 1" shaft. I will have nuts or washers between the sprockets so the chain will clear the next larger sprocket, but yet not fall between them.
mckutzy
Well-known member
So what are you using for a derailer setup. A typical bicycle setup won't work with this chain.
I am going to try something similar to a bicycle tensioner setup. I have some #41 idler sprockets. The order of transmitting power will be: pedal sprocket to
jackshaft with the 60, 48, 40, 30, 20 and 10 tooth sprockets,,
to Comet reverse gearbox,,
to 1 of 2 sprockets on the front axle.
I have not decided if the gocart disc brake will be put on the comet gearbox or the jackshaft with the 6 sprockets.
jackshaft with the 60, 48, 40, 30, 20 and 10 tooth sprockets,,
to Comet reverse gearbox,,
to 1 of 2 sprockets on the front axle.
I have not decided if the gocart disc brake will be put on the comet gearbox or the jackshaft with the 6 sprockets.
ML-TOYS
New member
No the question is how are you planning on shifting gears
firemanjim
Just kartin' around....
save the time and money..... Pay a kid a couple bucks to throw the snow, and buy a stationary bicycle, for winter exercise..... 
porsche930dude
New member
since you are using reverse gearbox you can have a freewheel and your bicycle derailer wont break. The reason the bike tech said it would break is because you cant pedal a derailer setup backwards without a freewheel. If you did it would stretch out the derailer and mess it all up. A bicycle setup will work fine. if you are so concerned about it use two setups side by side to spread the load. youre idea could work but you would need to shift the front and back derailers simultaniously so that the chain stays aligned. It wont stay on going sideways. Also I would have atleast used #35 chain youll get much more gearing for your sprocket diameters and it will likely shift better
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