Started my Low Budget Dirt Bike Powered Go Kart

[Sentrek]

This is what I am thinking for a shift mechanism. Pardone my crude sketch but I was in a hurry, my son has a karate tournament here in a few and am about to leave. I will more than likely only use the clutch to start and stop, I will more than likely not need the clutch to actually shift gears. All the dirt bikes I ever owned from 8 to 30 I never used a clutch to shift, ecspeically on the 2 stroke racing bikes I have owned. Never had a problem with any of them either. I dont know about this cheap clone though, I guess I will find out.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

That'll work. But I suggest that instead of having that big crossbar swivelling in a large arc, you mount it in bearings (round bar instead of flat) with a tab at each end and have it rotate forwards and back.

You could also simplify things by learning to shift with the other hand.

 

[Sentrek]

That'll work. But I suggest that instead of having that big crossbar swivelling in a large arc, you mount it in bearings (round bar instead of flat) with a tab at each end and have it rotate forwards and back.

That is actually a pretty good idea, although I was trying to do this all with material I can get from the scrap bins at work I may look into doing it the way you suggest. Although in my sketch it looks like it would be a large radius in reality it wouldn't move all that much in order to shift gears, an inch or so I am thinking is all it should take.

As far as learning to shift with my left hand, that wouldnt be too hard. What I don't really want to do is have to steer with my right hand. I drive and have been driving for a longtime with left hand, it's what I'm comfortable with.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I can certainly understand that. Having driven cars and trucks with manual transmissions for years, I'm quite used to steering with my left as well. It's habit forming- although my last few vehicles have been automatics, I still drive with my left hand at 12:00 and my right often on the shift.

 

[Sentrek]

My current ride is an auto too but I still manually shift it thru the gears and down shift it when needed to keep the rpms high and the power on tap!

 

[MrGrim]

I'm pretty new to this thread so my idea might suck, but run your design but go under the kart with just a small enf gap to shift up and down. This will only work if you have the right clearance, but from the size if your back tires should work just fine

 

[Sentrek]

Thanks, But I believe I actually have enough room on top the frame between the motor mount and the seat to do it. However, I got a 2' piece of 1/2" round bar and some 1/2" pillow blocks to give ToyStorys suggestion a try, I think it makes the most sense and will be relatively easy to accomplish.

 

[MrGrim]

okay well good luck on the kart cant wait to see it finshed

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I got a 2' piece of 1/2" round bar and some 1/2" pillow blocks to give ToyStorys suggestion a try,

If that proves to be too heavy, bulky, or expensive, you could try some 1/4" or 3/8" bar stock. As long as it's well lubed, you could forego the bearings and use bronze or even nylon bushings. Just a thought.

 

[Sentrek]

If that proves to be too heavy, bulky, or expensive, you could try some 1/4" or 3/8" bar stock. As long as it's well lubed, you could forego the bearings and use bronze or even nylon bushings. Just a thought.

I got it all for free from work, we use them everyday for some of the stuff we build, I cant believe I didn't think of doing it this way to begin with. The pillow blocks actually have bronze bushings so I think the 1/2" rod is going to be perfect.

 

[Sentrek]

Well, I got the one side fitted together and working. I need to get a clutch lever and a piece of bar to make the shifter handle on the other side and get it hooked up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee-cuq1Sy0k

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Nice!

 

[Sentrek]

If anyone is still interested this is not a dead project. I have been very busy and out of town for the holidays. Last night I sold some frames and other parts I had accumulated and I cleaned my garage and put my Christmas gifts from the wife together ( large parts washer from HF, bunch of springs, clips, set screws, clamps, cotter pin, & hitch pin assortments as well as some organizers, zip ties, rags, ect..) you know, all the stuff that's a pain in the rear to go get when in the middle of wrenching on something. I am currently trying to get a clutch lever from a guy at work so I can get the shift lever made. I am also surfing craigslist for more karts.

 

[kaymo]

color me interested! nothing like harbor freight goodies

 

[bighead]

Looking killer man. Nice work.

 

[Sentrek]

Thanks, Hoping to make some more progress in the coming weeks.

 

[christeeezy]

Sentrek, I have a motor with frame mounts in similar locations as yours does, I've been trying to think up solid ways of mounting. I like the one piece bracket that's holding the engine's front.

I'm guessing it's homemade? Can I have some info on it? Thanks

 

[Sentrek]

Its pretty straight forward. Its two pieces of 1/4" welded vertically to a flat 1/4" plate. I drilled the bolt up holes to match the locations on the motor, set the motor in place and marked the mount location so I knew where to dill the holes that hold the motor mount to the frame. once I get everything layed out exactly as I want it I will weld a cross piece across the front of the front motor mount for added rigidity.

 

[christeeezy]

Thanks for the reply. There seems to be a mix up though - I meant to ask about the white mount bracket that's physically on the motor. Did that come on the motor or is it custom?

 

[Sentrek]

Oh, sorry
That was on the motor, I had actually bought a complete bike.