New guy here... Morgan-esque 3 wheeler

[sxk122]

Howdy! I've tinkered with cars for years, but have a hankering to do something that is hopefully a bit cheaper, and possible with a bit more fabrication involved. I just sold my Miata, and I don't want to do too much with my new car/ daily driver. I'm interested in building a VERY inexpensive (can it be done for under $150... I'm thinking yes if I can source enough used parts....) go kart that's different, and at this point I'm not too worried about speed. I just picked up a small 2.5 HP Horizontal shaft Briggs and Stratton for $20. I will be making my engine compartment large enough to accommodate a larger engine should I desire later. I'm really want to make a cart that is reminiscent of a Morgan 3 wheeler.

I know 3 wheeled vehicles do tend to have different balance than a 4 wheeled variant, but I won't need a differential this way or have to compromise with just one rear wheel being powered. Plus, I really like the look.

Very basic plan is to build a frame out of 14 gauge square tube steel. In a way I would prefer round tubing, but I think the square will be easier for me to work with......

As far as mechanicals go,I have an engine, a buddy is giving me a kid's bike for the spoked front wheels.....
Suggestions on sources for inexpensive centrifugal clutches? I believe the PTO on the motor I have is 5/8".... so something like this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GO-KART-CLUTCH-5-8-BORE-40-41-CHAIN-10T-MINI-BIKE-CENTRIFUGAl-TORQUE-CONVERTER-/171173443214?pt=Other_Vehicle_Parts&hash=item27dabb768e&vxp=mtr

The throttle spring is broken on the engine I have. Before I shell out the $5 (a penny saved...) for a new spring, do I need it, or what is the best way to make a pedal to control the throttle.

Thanks in advance

 

[sxk122]

almost forgot... for those that don't know what a morgan 3 wheeler is,

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum!! Just a tip....if you want to add to a previous post, use the EDIT button on the bottom right of the post. Double posting is frowned upon.

I look forward to seeing how this turns out

 

[Poboy kartman]

Just a note on the clutch: That clutch is for a 40/41 pitch chain (1/2" center to center links). A new rear drive sprocket can cost more than the clutch. The #35 series (3/8" ctc).stuff is more common. Since it's possible that you may find a used drive wheel and sprocket, I would get that first, you can always get a cheap clutch- the more you shop the more you'll find.

Besides pitch, you need to consider tooth count. I would post up any possible purchases for the drive wheel/sprocket here first if possible, including tooth count, tooth to tooth center, and wheel and tire size for recommendations.

And if you fill out your profile, it might help us find something close to you, but we can't do that if we don't know where you are.

BTW- Welcome to the forum.

 

[OzFab]

The throttle spring is broken on the engine I have. Before I shell out the $5 (a penny saved...) for a new spring, do I need it, or what is the best way to make a pedal to control the throttle.

Is that one or two questions?

You'll need two springs, one on the engine throttle control & one on the pedal.

The absolute simplest way to make a pedal is by bending a length of 1" x 1/4" flat stock into an L shape & drill two holes in the long section, one hole for a pivot & the other for the cable anchor...

 

[mckutzy]

sxk122- ya care to explain what a morgan 3wheeler is?

 

[itsid]

?HUH? second post there's a picture...
doesn't it show up for you?

'sid

 

[mckutzy]

No I can't.
I hope it wasn't those "look at my album" deals.

 

[katoranger]

There is a picture posted. Morgan 3 wheeler is a British roadster. 2 wheels in front and 1 in back. It has a V twin engine mounted longitudinally on the front of the chassis.

I think a go kart size version would be neat. Don't know is 2.5hp is enough. If you can find BMX type wheels they will be alot stronger. Lots more spokes.

 

[itsid]

No I can't.
I hope it wasn't those "look at my album" deals.

Nope, it was embedded;
let's just attach it here



'sid

 

[Oxymoron]

I had bounced the idea of building a mini type can-am spyder type kart/bike to myself before... but this is WAY cooler. Do it! That Morgan is bad@$$!

 

[sxk122]

Just a note on the clutch: That clutch is for a 40/41 pitch chain (1/2" center to center links). A new rear drive sprocket can cost more than the clutch. The #35 series (3/8" ctc).stuff is more common. Since it's possible that you may find a used drive wheel and sprocket, I would get that first, you can always get a cheap clutch- the more you shop the more you'll find.

Besides pitch, you need to consider tooth count. I would post up any possible purchases for the drive wheel/sprocket here first if possible, including tooth count, tooth to tooth center, and wheel and tire size for recommendations.

And if you fill out your profile, it might help us find something close to you, but we can't do that if we don't know where you are.

BTW- Welcome to the forum.

Sorry, Located in Dallas, Texas. As for the drive wheel/sprocket combo, what would you suggest? I'm just looking for something to tool around with in the neighborhood.

Is that one or two questions?

You'll need two springs, one on the engine throttle control & one on the pedal.

The absolute simplest way to make a pedal is by bending a length of 1" x 1/4" flat stock into an L shape & drill two holes in the long section, one hole for a pivot & the other for the cable anchor...

Sorry, that wasn't very well written. I meant is it generally easier to use the existing throttle setup and link it to a pedal, or is it more efficient to start from scratch. I've attached a schematic of the stock setup. My thought is use the existing throttle layout attached to a pivot pedal rather than a lever throttle.....


I'm really looking forward to working on this. I'm really looking forward to getting a frame figured out and mechanicals so I can get the body in place.....

 

[sxk122]

Appears Morgan made a pedal car as a commemorative at one point..... mind you I don't intend to have the motor at the font, nor do I intend to make a fave v twin. I think I'll just have the nose come to about where the 'engine' is in this picture.

I'm playing around in sketchup with my general frame ideas. As to the engine placement, to reduce space is there any reason the engine shouldn't be located above the rear wheel? I intend to use a small-ish diameter wheel and tire (size pending suggestions). I would like to mount the engine directly over the wheel. This will make for a higher center of gravity, but, with the size wheels I'm putting on the front, I don't think it's an issue.....

 

[Poboy kartman]

Fabroman has already answered the spring question. You need the one on the carb and one on the pedal. I have a B&S 2.5 I plan on using, I'll take a look at it (if I remember) and see if I can come up with a spring for you.

See- Dallas isn't exactly next door, but it's close. We both live in Worth-llas. IIRC- Someone posted up about a kart supplier in Dallas, maybe they will repost.

I'm thinking you want a small tire, low count drive sprocket, and high tooth count clutch with the 2.5. I think it will be slow but accelerate that way.

Why would you want to mount the motor directly over the wheel? And the short answer for that is probably no.........

 

[OzFab]

My thought is use the existing throttle layout attached to a pivot pedal

Layout, yes; cable, no. More than likely, the existing cable will be a solid wire lawnmower cable; get yourself a bicycle brake cable with the outer sheath for a throttle cable...

low count drive sprocket, and high tooth count clutch with the 2.5.

Other way around, high tooth count axle sprocket, low toothe count clutch...

 

[sxk122]

My thought for the motor over the wheel was overall length of the kart, but that may be a non issue.

The existing throttle is a rusted solid wire POS. My wife's cousins are into bicycles and I bet have extra cabling about.

A friend donated his son's old bmx bike to 'the cause'. These will end up being the front wheels, and I may use some of the steering column.......

Oh, ordered a spring for $3, along with some new gaskets for the little motor. Poboy, if you can snap me a picture of how the spring assembly should look, that would be great. Mine has been tampered with. Also saw some good throttle advice here http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24060

 

[sxk122]

Could someone suggest a rear wheel to me? I'm not sure what would be best for my application.....

Also, my original thought for the frame was 14 gauge 1" tubing. Am I on the right track there, or do you think a 3/4" might work better? I don't want to over engineer this too much as I don't want it to weight a ton......

Still working on basic frame shape will post here for suggestions soon....

 

[Poboy kartman]

My thought for the motor over the wheel was overall length of the kart, but that may be a non issue.

Mounting conventionally doesn't take up much more room.

Oh, ordered a spring for $3, along with some new gaskets for the little motor. Poboy, if you can snap me a picture of how the spring assembly should look, that would be great. Mine has been tampered with. Also saw some good throttle advice here http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24060

You know- I was mistaken. I have a 2hp. My neighbor has (2) 2hp and a 3. They are all on grass edgers. Mine didn't have a return spring on the carb (which you can get away with on an edger with solid cable hand throttle).

The others had a set-up identical to the diagram on the right you posted. I didn't really see a place on mine for a return spring, but anyway you can hook up a light spring that returns the throttle to idle should work.

 

[sxk122]

That's for checking, i'll fiddle with it when the new spring gets here.

Suggestions on rear drive wheel anyone? I'd like to have a size to work with as I figure out the frame.....

 

[Poboy kartman]

I was thinking about mini-bike or pocket bike wheels but I'm not really sure what size to tell you. I can find out a little bit more Sunday about tire size, tooth counts and what kind of performance to expect when I talk to my younger brother who used a 2 hp or so engine on the kart that's my avatar.

I think the reason recommendations are slow in coming from other members is because of the small motor size and a lack of experience with it.

Meanwhile- to start the design you need to get some dimensions on the Morgan. Then take the size of those front wheels and compare to the size of the Bmx wheels to get a rough scale to start with. Then start with how the size of the driver fits that scale. Then you should have an idea of what is leftover for rear wheel and engine.

That being said, it's going to be a big mistake to design the build around the small tire you will probably START with and that small engine. You want to allow for the BIGGEST tire and engine possible.

Then you will start to get an idea of how big the kart will be and what approximately it's going to weigh.

How much do you plan on mimicking the Morgan? What exactly does Morgan-esc mean?