New to Go Karts, My 1st build

[Esahic]

Hello everyone, I have decided to try and build myself a Go Kart. Now I need some help and advice from you experts.

So here’s what I have to start with- I have a old huskee riding lawnmower. It has a 15.5hp motor and a 7 speed transmission. I got it for free and the guy said the motor was good.

So my plan is to weld a frame for the cart and use as much of the riding lawnmower as possible.

What other parts/things do I need to gather?
What can I use off of the lawnmower?
What adivce would you give a 1st time builder with no experience at all.

 

[itsid]

well you will need about everything I'm afraid

A mower is NOT as good of a source as one might think,
if your huskee has the nicely cast front axle beam.. maybe that can be made use of,
the spindles however will have to be replaced, so does the rear axle
likely that includes the transmission which would have to go anyways since it can't handle speeds well.

And the worst: the engine: it'll be a vertical shaft engine, not really usefull for a go kart,
and it's impractical to convert it to a horizontal shaft too (too expensive to convert)
all attempts we've seen so far had failed in trying to convert a vertical four stroke to a horizontal.

that leaves you with wheels.. some mower wheels simply don't fit to kart axles or spindles..
but chances are you'll be fine
the seat might be reusable and also the steering wheel.

everything else you will need I'm afraid.
essentially you still need a complete kart minus wheels and seat.

'sid

 

[Esahic]

So the riding lawnmower motor won’t work? That was the whole point of me getting it. Dang. Anything else I could use the motor for? So what motor should I be looking for? Just a regular push mower?

 

[mckutzy]

Not a lawnmower engine...
Youll need a horizontal shaft industrial motor.. like one for a log splitter, pressure washer ect... With a straight shaft not tapered..
HF has the predator for cheap, and thats a good start...

 

[mrbeggs432]

Unfortunately you will need a lot of accessories.

My neighbor used his old lawnmower for a yard cruiser.

He removed the cutting blades and housing and made small mods here and there.

You may not have a racer but you can still build something fun for what you have to start with

 

[Esahic]

Yeah I just want to build something I could ride around the neighborhood with my kid. That is all. The riding mower was free so I figure why not turn it into a go cart and learn a few things in the process

 

[Sandmanbjj]

You could use the motor for a pressure washer. Just need a pump to fit the shaft.