My 600cc Shifter Kart Project

[LikeableBump]

So I recently picked up a totaled Kawasaki Ninja ZX6-R with a running engine. I've got the bike stripped down to the engine and have welded most of my frame. Here's a few pictures of my progress so far. I'm considering entering it in the 2017 build off.

 

[the Go Kart noob]

ha well ya could enter it in the build off but for my sake i be discouraging you from doing that

 

[Bubba_Z]

Dude, I see you are using a "race kart" chassis design. That design was never meant for that much HP. Please consider a two tear design and use triangles to keep the base from twisting.
You put that much HP to the axle and I bet it gets "uncomfortable" even "unmanageable"
Yes, I put 27HP on a Yerf Dog, But that motor is 100hp +.....without a upper tear and triangle bracing I think your in for a lesson in "OMG I'm going to die!" Just my 2 cents.....Weld on....

 

[LikeableBump]

It's going to get a roll bar with supports going over the motor and attached to the back of the kart, if that's what you mean. It should keep the back end from twisting while still giving me a little flex in the front around corners.

 

[Bubba_Z]

Trial and error, I was talking more like duel rails with a separation of your choosing.
you are no way near this HP...but look at how this guy designed his "EXTREME HP" frame.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZGV5fImxDk&t=11s
2 rails...parallel, I have been a engineer for 30 years and your frame is going to twist like a pretzel when you put the power to it......again, your call. There is no greater strength then the triangle.

---------- Post added at 01:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:26 AM ----------

Flex is for the suspension, frame flex is giving up the front left wheel in a left turn. Just saying...that motor of yours is HIGH HP. High torque at rpm. torque = twist.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Listen to the man. 2 tier triangle frame.
I'm constantly welding mine and I have a mild 9hp

 

[Bubba_Z]

Likeable, please don't think me a "Nay Sayer" but before you get to far into your design, please think about the power to weight ratio. Look closely at the design video i posted......you are correct, if there is no "flex" in the correct place...it will snap. But I l look at your "race kart" design and I see to much flex for your power input.....When you step up above 80HP your "Frame" must step up with you.

 

[LikeableBump]

Hmmm... I wonder how this guy is handling it. That's an engine off of a Yamaha r1, makes 150hp... Over 40 more than mine. There's a video floating around of him going 181mph down an airstrip and blowing a tire. Crazy stuff... As far as I know he never had issues with his frame twisting.

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[jandj]

Ignore the naysayers.
Put all the hp to the ground you can.
Don't worry about frame twist.
Let it rip.
Just make sure we have video.

 

[LikeableBump]

Oh I'll have video, that's for sure

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[Micscience]

One thing I don't understand is motorcycle frames don't look more rigid then go karts and they seem to handle the HP I wonder if it's all in the geometry of the frame.

 

[Bubba_Z]

Micscience, Motorcycles have 2 rails and triangles, vertical, But 2 none the less.....put that motor on a bicycle and tell me what happens.
Likeable, Im not ditzin your design, just warning you of the dangers.
1) love a link to the videos of that kart running (The Yamaha r1)
2) you cant see his frame work under there, and my guess is he is using thick wall 4130 Chromemoly.
If your drag racing then never mind....your good. But I can't see his front left wheel not lifting in a hard left turn.....Again, please link a vid.

 

[LikeableBump]

So you're saying the front end is going to have too much flex in it for this HP level? Or the back end? The front end on shifter karts is supposed to flex. It allows the inside rear wheel to lift off to remove the need for a differential. I'm not at all worried about the back end flexing. Like I said, it's getting a roll bar put on it with 45 degree supports going to the back of the kart, thus making a triangle, which not even the other motorcycle powered karts I've seen have. And there's several out there. I'm not sure how the higher HP that I'll have will affect the front end twisting at all, you can get stock shifter karts with this style of frame that have upwards of 80HP and can pull 3-3.5 lateral Gs through a corner. I won't be pulling that many Gs, so it won't be under near the stress that this style of frame can handle, even if they are made out of chromoly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apd1KBjLV8k&t=67s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmH4ZwwnXCk

 

[Bubba_Z]

I was talking about the front. These, (including yours) are super karts so the rules are up to you.
There is no book. And my hat is off yo you for even taking on such a build. (Please post vids and pics.) Can't wait to hear it purrrrr.
I did notice that in the first vid, the kart seems "squirrely" in the turns. Manageable...Well he didn't wreck or spin out.. But he was not drifting through the turns and driving the pants off it.
Now...blowing a tire at 180.....OMG, I almost filled my pants watching it....I'm sure his pucker factor was a "11"
And that was all I was bringing up. In a straight line....It will be a "E" ticket ride. In the turns, please be careful. No suspension and a single rail frame will only offer you just so much handling. Build on......