New Tampa Bay area Go-Cart Dad

[whaleit]

Hi!

I picked up a used frame for my kids for Christmas, a 6.5 Greyhound engine fromHarbor Freight, and clutch-new brake-cable-chain from Northern Tools. Will be trying to put together the week after Christmas day and I am not sure if will have running or not...but truly hoping can get it done. I do CAD design for homes and commecial projects and have never really gotten into mechanics so this will be a challenge and a good learning experience for my kids.

The first two questions are related: 1) how slow will I be able to make this engine/cart go? Not interested in speed but rather safe play...my boys are 7, 9, and 10. 2) I am concerned with the cart tipping over as it does not have roll bar, not close to ground and not real wide (while wheels look like off-road expect to use mostly in large open parking areas to begin with)...any suggestions here other than wearing a helmet or constructing a roll bar??

3) I have found some directions and a pic or two online here for the throttle repair required for the Greyhound engine but could become better educated with more pics/options of these set ups and maybe more descriptions...any pointers were I can find more info or parts needed for this ? 4) Anyone know what brand this cart is or is it a home made frame and what type of seat might fit it since it has boat cusions on it now? 5) The rims have two good "dings" and wonder what is the best way to try ro straighten them out?

Thanks in advance as I need more research/info to get ready to start working on 12/25!!!

First timer,
RJ

 

[freakboy]

Just use a tiny clutch sprocket and a huge sprocket on the axle it should make it pretty darn slow for the youngins... im not the guy to ask about gear ratios so if you want a specific gear ratio someone should post here..

The gokart is low i dont see it tipping if they arent goin full throtal around turns. just gear it to go slow and when they are older regear it for there liking(when there responsible enough to ride..

Or if you want to use this thing and go fast make a removable throtal stop for the gass pedal were when the kids are on you put it on and it makes it go mabey 10 mhp but when you wana go burning rubber you take it off and you will be able to go full throtal.

 

[whaleit]

Thanks for answering 1) and 2) FB!

A friend at work scared me by saying this thing will tip easily...your statement is re-assuring...if they are not hauling *** hopefully tipping is a non-issue..I also thought the fact they weigh between 45 and 75 pounds would help avoid overturning moment...

 

[freakboy]

yeah unless they sudenly become very top heavy it wont tip its low enough... my kart is higher then that and narower and longer and goes fast and i take it around turns fast and its fine i never rolled mine.

 

[whaleit]

sigh of relief

very good news on tipping!

on hooking up Greyhound engine with throttle...this is what I have found so far

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1183

I have heard that throttle sticking is a major accident contributer...I need to do this right plus would like to add an emergency kill switch if possible...

 

[freakboy]

Yes a emergency kill switch would be good if kids are riding i would add two of them one on the steering wheel that they can hit and a tether kill switch like whats on some atvs they are attached to you and if you fall off the it kills the engine.

And if you have a stiff enough return spring it shouldnt stick.

 

[1992suburban]

Looks like a carter brothers. Not that it matters much because MOST all yard kart parts interchange with the exception of the drive hub. Some have different bolt circle mounting location. Looks like you have a 41 chain hard to tell what tooth count it is BUT like you may know.. a lower ratio (10/60= 6:1 ) will limit top speed BUT will give it awesome acceleration. so if you leave the governor on you can adjust the stop screw and limit it some for topend.. hard to give a reccomendation for such small kids,

My oldest is "respectful" of the gokarts POWER and SPEED and she is VERY SLOW AND SAFE on mine.. and it can run 38mph WITH ME ON!!

also the tipping.. the smaller the rider the LOWER chance of a rollover weight/center of gravity business you know..

as far as the throttle I have done several. and I like the lawn mower style cable setup.. very easy and clean

insert the bent end into the throttle arm and then use ONE of the open holes and csrew a bolt into that hole with a cable clamp..

HAVE FUN GOODLUCK

 

[r_chez_08]

i would use a jackshaft. if you have lets say, 12t clutch on the engine0(just an example) to a 35t on a jackshaft, then another 12t on the other side of the jackshaft, to a 40t on the axle, you would get a top speed of 10-15mph with 13" wheels (unsure what yours are.)
then you will go slower, and have some ground clearance!
if you are unsure what a jackshaft is, here is a vid.
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showpost.php?p=71621&postcount=273
pretend the belt is chain in your case.
hope that helps and makes sense!

 

[1992suburban]

with governor removed VERY SIMPLE clean and gives a wider range of throttle


1st attempt works but Not as good..

 

[whaleit]

thanks!

thanks!