Question on the build

[Boltingsteve]

Hi Guys,

Have a few questions to do with a build.

1) what length should the drive shaft be and what diameter.
2) what should the drive ratio be for a 7hp engine. 5:1? Also what size tires is everyone running and what pitch for the sprocket and chain.
3) with the disc brake and mechanical caliper is the stopping power good or does it take awhile in comparison to a bicycle.
4) what do you get the tires for the go kart from and what is the width of the tire

Thanks again

 

[Joe-405]

Ummmm what build ????


There is a whole lot missing from this. We can’t answer one single question you have without a actual vehicle present.

 

[gr8hairy1]

Ummmm what build ????


There is a whole lot missing from this. We can’t answer one single question you have without a actual vehicle present.

Lol, yeah. I'm with Joe-405 on this one. There is no useable information in your post.
Drive shaft? Drive shaft to your truck? (obviously not a truck but we have no idea what kart you're talking about).

What is your go kart? Post some pictures and as much information as you can about your go kart.

The rest of your questions all depend on the type and size of your kart.

 

[Boltingsteve]

Here is a photo, it is taking forever to be able to load the photos on here for some reason and only manage to get this one loaded. I built the go kart from the frame up and made it so it can be taken apart to replace broken pieces with ease. At first I built it and powered it with my Milwaukee M18 drill and then changed to a 208cc motor. I also have two led lights on it that I harness the power through an old drill that broke.

 

[Boltingsteve]

More photos of the build

Right now I have 10 inch tires and 5.4 ratio. Motor is completely stock but thinking of getting exhaust and intake with bigger jet.

 

[Joe-405]

1. It has a chain so can’t add a driveshaft without a rear differential equivalent to a car.

2. Usually 6:1 is normal for drive ratio but as long as the clutch isn’t burning up or chattering usually your ok.

3. Mechanical brakes seem to be less of a hassle. But hydraulic always stops faster in most cases.

4. Still don’t understand that question.

 

[anickode]

So, everything you asked is already done? I don't understand. It's all done. If it works well, then there you go.

You're asking us how well the brakes you already have installed will work? Go drive it and tell us. Comparison against a bicycle isnt relevant.

 

[Boltingsteve]

I guess I was asking to see what everyone else has for the length in the back for the shaft to see if I made mine too short or long. I find the brakes will stop but it will take alittle bit of time in order to do so and am wondering if that is the usual. I have 5.4 ratio I have read 6:1 is what people say is the go to but just wondering if the 5:4 would cause any damage to any components. It feels okay. But hard to tell there is strain on the clutch as it does get hot but I presume it is usual for them to get hot

 

[Joe-405]

Warm yes. Hot no.

 

[mckutzy]

Hello and welcome...
I reckon your a fellow Canuck.. by the princess motor you have...I have one aswell, good motors...
Overall you have a cool looking kart... very neat and tidy... However..
(Sorry for the winded post but some good thoughts here...)

-First thing I see off hand is the way you have the cable routed on your throttle and brake...
That there is a big no-no.... Like kinda dangerous as far as the brakes go..... Your lack of good braking power is that you dont have a cable sheath, Your using just aircraft cable...
If it had pulleys at the routing points then Id say ok... but if this rubs and breaks.. then you dont/cant stop...
-Part of the braking problem is the cable situation above.... Some other issues are the calipers itself. They are a bit of a pain to setup right. Pads need to be sanded to the disc when new. That helps them bed to the disc. The calipers need to be mounted in a way to allow them to float, or the disc to float.. not hard mounted.... Clean all fingermarks and greases with brakleen, just as any car..

-The throttle. You have it routed in a way that can give poor response and/or itll break shortly.... In a needed way that could cause an accident... Once again you need a cable with a sheath, not so many bends, but just a graceful loop to the throttle plate...

-Ratio. I reckon you'll not be able to fit a 72(Im going to guess this a #35 chain you are using..) so augmenting the ratio might be a challenge, but you do have a bit of space for a jackshaft if needed...

-You have your motor rubber mounted.... It needs to be hard mounted, as in right to the mounting plate/frame.... Its going to vibrate, possibly shake a bit.. but that's the nature of the beast. This can cause unnecessary wear on the whole drive-train. The motor can bounce around, the slap can cause the chain to slip and wear the teeth on the clutch and drive sprocket, Itll also cause unnecessary wear/stretch to the chain... then exacerbate the whole drive line situation...

So to recap..

Oil clutch bushing every 2 hrs of use. A few drops of oil at the snap ring, no spray oil of any kind, just drops.....

Try using a brake cable from a bicycle shop/Walmart/ Cantire, they typically have a package of universal length cable with a cast barrel fitting on the one end... I use those all the time for my setups...That'll fit for the throttle and the brake line.

Rid the rubber mounts.... keep it direct mounted to frame/mounting plate..

The ratio might work itself out after the throttle is sorted out... but keep an eye out for it.. might need the change of the rear sprocket.

Along with the brake cable, re-check the setup on the brake caliper..

 

[Boltingsteve]

Thanks for all the information. New to building the kart and just used odds and such around to get it together. So I will have better braking power with having the bicycle cable. I see that princess auto has it there so I can get that and work out how to mount it. It seems to have good power from down low but top end is around 32km which feels plenty fast being so low to the ground. But would like to find the happy medium when it comes to top speed and acceleration which can be a science on it own. The other thing I have been having trouble is finding tires for the kart and have only being able to get the ones from princess auto. The other thing with the rotor I made it cutting a regular piece of metal and welding it to the hub. But I see you can buy from princess auto can get not sure if it has a different compound that can cause the pads to grip more. The other thing I have always wonder is how long can we run these motors on a full tank

 

[mckutzy]

If you want a bigger disc.. Id get a sprocket... I had a problem with the Motorcycle disc brake was stainless and the pads were meant for a carbon steel material.... They didnt grip worth a darn... Later I switched to a sprocket and it was day/night...

Part of the reason I went to the bike route, beside space saving was majorly the tires, or lack there of a good source. Likewise stuck to the Princess....

Princess might have a bike brake cable,I havent seen it there, but mostly Cantire does.

Whereabouts in Canada are you located??

 

[Boltingsteve]

Langley bc

 

[mckutzy]

 

[mckutzy]

Hey Steve, how much did this cost to build?... So the Canadian members can get a good idea of cost and such, associated with a gokart build like this....

 

[Boltingsteve]

I believe it was around 400 with all the parts etc to build from the ground up.