I have a two seater frame that I'm planning on making a live axle kart with since I got the frame from a friend who already cut the original dead rear axle off. I was thinking about using 3/4" steel for the axle, and fabricating the wheel hubs and sprocket hubs myself. First question, is 3/4" substantial enough to use as an axle, or should I go with 1"? Second, would a 3.5 hp be enough to move the cart? I might be able to get a larger engine from my friend, but the larger engine will definitely need work.
new project
- Thread starter kra
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r_chez_08
Should be in the shop...
3.5hp will probably struggle with two people. On a Childs single seater going 20mph yea, but I doubt it would go that well with two people
6.5hp Honda or clone would work ok.
I would go with 1".
Rob
6.5hp Honda or clone would work ok.
I would go with 1".
Rob
Doc Sprocket
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I too, would suggest a 1" axle, and an engine with at least 5hp for a two-seater. 6 1/2Hp is better yet.It probably will never have two people on it, because what they call a two seater is more like a 1 1/2 seater for anyone larger than a 5 year old. I'll probably try to fix up the old engine (tecumseh? lauson?) that I can get from a friend, we think it's around 5 hp, maybe more. The carb was marked "lauson power products". It was from a snow blower and has really good compression, just had carb troubles.
As far as the axle goes, I might use 3/4" just because I have some thick steel pipe with 3/4" ID to use to fabricate my own hubs. this is a low budget project after all, and with access to a welder and lots of scrap steel, it shouldn't be too difficult. And if anything breaks, I can just weld it back together.
As far as the axle goes, I might use 3/4" just because I have some thick steel pipe with 3/4" ID to use to fabricate my own hubs. this is a low budget project after all, and with access to a welder and lots of scrap steel, it shouldn't be too difficult. And if anything breaks, I can just weld it back together.
Doc Sprocket
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Your best chance of getting away with a 3/4" axle is to support the wee out of it. Have a bearing at each end, and one on either side of the sprocket (and brake if applicable). I think there's still a pretty good chance it will bend, but the extra bearings are the best chance you've got. Another tip- have the rear wheels as close to the rear framerails as you can possibly get away with. Having the bearings close to the wheels will minimize the leverage on the axle.
karl
Well-known member
A 3hp motor will get it moving I had a small cart with a 3hp briggs. It had a 11 tooth clutch and a 60 tooth on the tire. the tire is 10.5 in tall. I got 2 people on the thing (one driving and one on the back) doing about 25mph down the road. It dident have great takeoff but if you put a jackshaft it will do fine.
fowler
New member
yes it can be made to work but it wont be much fun
go the standard 6.5 hp
go the standard 6.5 hp
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