Progress w/Steel Body

[bugatti_gokart]

This weekend I made some great progress on the Bugatti kart I thought I'd share with you guys (and gals). It may not seem like much but I put in a few hours to trim and mount a sheet of steel across the back of the body...

It really came out great. Next will be to remove wheels, exhaust, etc. and prep it for some paint. I know when all is said and done I'm going to be just itching to put a small motor in this thing.

Build safe...
Jas

 

[SpyGuy]

Looking nice so far ....... let's see some side-shots of it, too.

I believe a little 6.5 OHV would fit underneath that rear tin quite nicely ....

 

[mike75925]

your body guy is terrible!. fire him and get someone better. i see a new car with dents, shody workmanship on his part. was he drinking when he was working? (all in good fun)

 

[bugatti_gokart]

Ha! Mike, no kidding. Yeah it's definitely a fun little project thanks for the ribbing!

Here is another shot from the side of the rear, definitely shows the improvement over the front work.

Space wise yeah I could totally fit a small motor in there. Would take some reworking of the rear wheels but totally doable. I may end up coming back and doing that in the end.

 

[mike75925]

you could cut slots in the ply and louver some flashing for ventilation. you may want to wrap some thin gauge metal around the wood for reinforcement. were you thinking of jackshafting to keep the cleanliness of the body?

 

[bugatti_gokart]

you could cut slots in the ply and louver some flashing for ventilation. you may want to wrap some thin gauge metal around the wood for reinforcement. were you thinking of jackshafting to keep the cleanliness of the body?

Yup, I've totally considered ventilation options for the tail. This one will be for my boys and to start with will have a pedal system:
(earlier shot of getting the crank in place)

A follow up version with a motor will need to have maybe a removable tail section or at least hinged for access, but I hear ya on the vents!

Jas

 

[mike75925]

a chain guard right there could mess with aesthetics. have you looked at a kettcar axle? they run down the middle.

 

[SpyGuy]

I don't think he's got enough room under the seat to run a KettCar setup, Mike, but good call.

Putting a chain guard on it would be a good idea, but as Mike stated, it would mess with asthetics. I would still do the chain guard, but try to do one that would look "correct" with the style of the car. Use the same metal as you did for the hood and tail to keep the look together - whatever color you paint the hood and tail, do the same with the chain guardto tie it in with the rest of the car. I think a ring around the outside gear and then a "swoop" across the top would be just fine, no real need to put anything on the bottom half of the chain. Think of the old Indian motorcycle tank logos, with the feathers coming off the back of the circle like a wing.

 

[Stratogeezer]

Wow - this is awesome! Great creative design. I was hoping someone would try some "bodywork" on a go kart, and your works is an excellent example and inspiration. The wooden frame totally works right into the design.

I've done a lot of frame welding, but no sheet metal work like you've done here. Any words of guidance and wisdom on how what works well?

 

[bugatti_gokart]

I don't think he's got enough room under the seat to run a KettCar setup, Mike, but good call.

Putting a chain guard on it would be a good idea, but as Mike stated, it would mess with asthetics. I would still do the chain guard, but try to do one that would look "correct" with the style of the car. Use the same metal as you did for the hood and tail to keep the look together - whatever color you paint the hood and tail, do the same with the chain guardto tie it in with the rest of the car. I think a ring around the outside gear and then a "swoop" across the top would be just fine, no real need to put anything on the bottom half of the chain. Think of the old Indian motorcycle tank logos, with the feathers coming off the back of the circle like a wing.

You guys rock. Why didn't I join this forum a year ago? Great minds think alike. At first I did consider the ketcar approach, but I wasn't able to find one and I the whole project started with those bike wheels if you can believe that! As for the chain guard, yup I'm with you guys. I want to keep the nice clean look, but for safety will be creating one. I saved the one off the bicycle to use as a template, obviously it will need to be longer, but I don't think building that will be all that tough.

@Stratogeezer: Thanks for the feedback on the sheet metal work. It really wasn't all that tough, and the metal is all from Home Depot, so nothing special. Check out my site, I give some details on each step I've taken along the way.

I'll keep you guys posted! And THANKS for the feedback, it's greatly appreciated.

Best,
Jas

 

[mike75925]

main thing with messing with flashing, stay out of the wind! next would be to wear gloves. try to keep the pieces small (and flat) enough to work without it recoiling onto your arm or other part of body, it cuts very easily depending on gauge/thickness.

 

[bugatti_gokart]

Totally hear you on that Mike. After every cut with the sheets I ran sandpaper over the edge to make it as dull as possible.

 

[KartRacer695]

i like the really old race car look to it. if you ever put a motor in it what kind do you think you will use?

 

[SpyGuy]

BGK, I tend to run my dremel over sharp edges to dull them down. I do a lot of "art" welding, and usually the dremel makes it go faster for me.

You're doing a great job on the build so far - your kids are gonna have a blast! Of course, means ol' Dad just may hafta build one for himself so he can ride with the kids ....