My first kart build

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Aussie Scott

Newbie
Messages
24
Reaction score
0
Location
Brisbane, Australia
Hi guys,
Im obviously new to the forum, but i have had a good look around to get bits and pieces of info, but as this is the first kart i would have built i dare say there will be a million questions.

Firstly i am mostly building this as a fun project to do with our kids (9 and 6 year olds) I think it will be a great experience for them and me. It will only need to be able to carry one of them at a time and will only be used to put around the yard and culdesac. Although it would be a shame if i couldnt squeeze onto it as well :thumbsup:
I am relatively confident i will be able to fabricate everything for it (within reason) as i am a builder i have all the tools i should need, i think. I have done a fair amount of welding over the years, although i am far from an expert at it.
I do have a quite limited budget due to not wanting to be killed the wife :devil2:

My first question is would a 49cc 2.5hp engine (minibike engine) be enough to power it, i would have assumed it would be if its light enough and only seats one person, besides i dont want the thing to be a rocket as im not sure i would trust the kids not to do something crazy in it. Would i be better off with a larger engine and then just restrict the throttle until they were a bit more confident in it?
I would prefer the smaller engine to try and save cost if i could as it seems parts here in Oz arent as easy and cheap to come by.
These are the 2 i have looked at so far-

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250724068237&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI...akeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

The 6.5 looks like it would be a little easier to work with but just a fair bit dearer.
Many more questions to come......so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!


This is the last little project i did with the kids which is where the motorvation came from to do something a little more challenging.


 
jrmints1415

jrmints1415

New member
Messages
570
Reaction score
4
Location
Naperville Illinois
the 2.5 might be a little small but you could use it not to say it's the best option. The 6.5 would be a lot better performance wise but do not use throttle stops as they can be harmful to the engine. If you go with the 6.5 hp engine then you can install a jackshaft that will, instead of wasting the top speed, turn it into better acceleration and torque. A higher gear ratio such as 5:1 would go to fast, but a 8:1 would probably be slow enough for the kids. I would use a 6.5 and a jackshaft geared for torqe not speed.

heres a link i made that will explain everthing...
http://diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10070

any questions let me know!
 
A

Aussie Scott

Newbie
Messages
24
Reaction score
0
Location
Brisbane, Australia
Decided on the 6.5, thanks for your advice jrmints.
Your thread was actually one of the first things i read on here, it was very helpful.

Im currently doing a drawing for the whole build, although im sure it will change dramatically along the way.
 
A

Aussie Scott

Newbie
Messages
24
Reaction score
0
Location
Brisbane, Australia
I have drawn up the front suspension to how i would like it be. Can anyone see any issues with it.
The one problem i could see would be as the springs compress it will change the angle of the tie rods which will slightly turn the wheels. Hard to say exactly how much it would affect the steering though. Any thoughts anyone?

I am going for the slightly over ambitious look of the Ariel Atom. Im sure it wont resemble it at all when its done but thats where im heading anyway.

 
sideways

sideways

Unfinished projects king.
Messages
1,501
Reaction score
2
Location
Perth, Western Australia
Another Aussie! Welcome. :thumbsup:

For that suspension, add another spring under the spindle or at he very least a rubber doughnut. You also have no KPI (King Pin Inclination), if you don't know what that is I'm happy to elaborate.

For the engine, depending where you live 6.5 clones can be pretty expensive (anywhere between $250 and $400 in my experience), for that price I'd find a CT110 engine, it'l be a thousand times better. Much more powerful and it has a gearbox with auto clutch. I use Victa 2 stroke engines, you can usually get them from the tip for free, IMO they'l kick a clones arse. If you want to get a Victa say so and I'l tell you what ones to look out for. You can buy an adapter for them to fit a 3/4" bore clutch for about $70, I use 1/2" bore pulleys that bolt right on though.

Did you make those guards? They look pretty sweet!

Thanks

Hayden
 
M

MacfarlaneRacers

New member
Messages
273
Reaction score
1
Location
Scotland
For An Engine I Suggest Myself A Gx160 Honda Engine Restricted :)
Very Helpful Engines and can be restricted very easily and threw the years you can take the restrictor off :)
 
A

Aussie Scott

Newbie
Messages
24
Reaction score
0
Location
Brisbane, Australia
sideways said:
Another Aussie! Welcome. :thumbsup:

For that suspension, add another spring under the spindle or at he very least a rubber doughnut. You also have no KPI (King Pin Inclination), if you don't know what that is I'm happy to elaborate.

For the engine, depending where you live 6.5 clones can be pretty expensive (anywhere between $250 and $400 in my experience), for that price I'd find a CT110 engine, it'l be a thousand times better. Much more powerful and it has a gearbox with auto clutch. I use Victa 2 stroke engines, you can usually get them from the tip for free, IMO they'l kick a clones arse. If you want to get a Victa say so and I'l tell you what ones to look out for. You can buy an adapter for them to fit a 3/4" bore clutch for about $70, I use 1/2" bore pulleys that bolt right on though.

Did you make those guards? They look pretty sweet!

Thanks

Hayden
Click to expand...



Thanks Hayden,
Im following you with the kingpin inclination suggestion, what would be a decent angle to do? Are you suggesting another small spring under the spindle will stop the harsh 'whack' when the suspension returns. A nice dense rubber bush would work just as well or better?

Yeah i made those guards on my ute as well as on the bike. The ones on the ute where a lot of work, the ones on the bike took about an hour. Ill be doing something similar on the kart but only about 1/3 circumference to match the Atom ones.
 
redsox985

redsox985

Active member
Messages
4,092
Reaction score
12
Location
PA
Using Heim joints (usual tie rod ends) will preform better through the arc than the style of ends you have drawn up in the photo.
 
A

Aussie Scott

Newbie
Messages
24
Reaction score
0
Location
Brisbane, Australia
Jeremy, I dont think you could get a briggs motor here that cheap. There is cheaper quality 4 strokes 5.5 or 6.5 HP for around the $140 - $150.

Redsox, i was wondering if there was such a thing as i knew those tie rod ends wouldnt work particularly well with the suspension set up. Sounds like they might be the go.
 
A

Aussie Scott

Newbie
Messages
24
Reaction score
0
Location
Brisbane, Australia
Thought id post some progress shots. Very slow going at the moment doing bits and pieces of an afternoon. Engine should arrive tomorrow.

Here is the plan, i spent quite a lot of time on it but im sure will change as im going.



Made a uni-joint for the steering column



Made pivoting spindles, a lot of mucking around so hopefully they work.



Front left nearly complete, half a days work and i still have the other side to do.

 
fowler

fowler

New member
Messages
5,463
Reaction score
17
Location
Bullsbrook West Aus
thats nice work

u may want to work on your welding but ill doo for now

apart from the one holding the axil on the spindle

great engineering i wish i would think of things like that tie rod ed
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top