New guy here, a little about me, and my build

[TheCoolDude]

Hey everyone!

Decided to sign up for this forum after seeing it pop up on Google a lot. I see some really cool custom karts here. I'm from NJ, and I enjoy cars (have a 97 Camaro Z28), playing piano, RC cars/planes, and building things (I have built 3 "cat trees," among other things).

I've been working on my own custom go kart since last October. I drew the whole thing up in Solidworks (a 3D CAD program), and used those to plans to build it. I've done a lot of testing and made several design changes, and I'm confident in saying almost all the little kinks are worked out.

My next plan is to add a CVT clutch/torque converter instead of a centrifugal clutch, to get a higher top-end speed while still maintaining the acceleration I have now. I do have have a question about the Comet torque converter I got, but I'll post that in the right section (Engine and Clutches) with photos.

Check out this Imgur gallery which shows all the progress of my go kart from start to finish (I condensed it down to 50 photos, so you won't be scrolling all day!)

http://imgur.com/a/Jpn2d

 

[itsid]

I lol'ed at "Hmm"

just 50 pics.. but the gallery still takes a full day to load
(you should embed thumbnails and big pics on click.. that'll improve the experience )

the wheels look a bit flimsy, and the seat a bit bulky...
other than that I like the kart

OH , another pic loaded.. tri-stars.. much better

'sid

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum

 

[TheCoolDude]

Thanks itsid! That bearing was definitely an "oops" moment. Sucks the photos took so long to load - they didn't take forever on my computer, but there was a bit of lag. I think it was due to me uploading them at full resolution. And yeah, I got the flimsy wheels from my friend's basement, so the main reason for using them was because they were free! The tri-stars were definitely worlds better.

And thank you landuse!

 

[OzFab]

the seat a bit bulky...

...As does the rest of the kart IMO... which is probably why it didn't like the smaller engine... what is the wall thickness of the material you used?

Welcome to the forum

 

[itsid]

...As does the rest of the kart IMO...
Welcome to the forum

you're right.. but in an odd way I like the industrial brick hauler look it got

but I think we can agree that this isn't anywhere close to participate in the shell eco marathon

'sid

 

[TheCoolDude]

Fabroman: the wall thickness is 3/32 for most of the car (that was the tubing I got from my friend), and 1/16 for some later parts. The tubing itself is 1"x1". With the tabs and all welded on, the frame weighed 55 pounds total. The thing is definitely a little beefy, though I still need to get the total weight. Just bought a second bathroom scale for that exact purpose. And thank you for the welcome.

And hey, industrial brick hauler, I like that itsid. This thing certainly isn't joining the eco-marathon, you're right!

 

[firemanjim]

Does your front end bottom out, ever? It looks like it's gonna scrape the ground if you get to any type of hill. The front overhang just looks a little funny iguess. It's a great build though! Anything that gets you around and was hand built is great.

 

[OzFab]

the wall thickness is 3/32 for most of the car

No wonder the little Predator wasn't strong enough...

 

[TheCoolDude]

Firemanjim - it really doesn't bottom out much surprisingly - it did more with when it had the smaller cheap Harbor Freight wheels. With these new Tri-Stars though, the 3.5 inches of ground clearance I have can get me over most inclines and bumps with no problem, even on dirt. And thank you, I really like hand-built things too.

Excellent point Fabroman, that is some darn (can't say ****) heavy tubing. But hopefully that frame will last 50 years.

By the way, I finally weighed the whole go kart - it weighs 255 pounds total. Certainly not light, but could always be heavier.

 

[OzFab]

I finally weighed the whole go kart - it weighs 255 pounds total.

That's about what my kart weighs WITH ME IN IT!

 

[TheCoolDude]

Haha dang, at least we know it can take a beating!