Street Legal

[okenadie]

My grandson and I are talking about building a street legal go cart. If you could still call it a go cart. We want it to do at least 50 mph. Seat two. Legally around here it must have lights, brakes of course. Tail and turn signal lights. A horn and all that stuff. But first we have to find out about what motor to use and how to build the frame. I have a lot of motors around my shop. Anything from 3.5hp to 20 hp off a lawn tractor. But can you use one with a vertical shaft. And how.I need some info and some web sites to gather info from. Any help. Thanks

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Using a vertical shaft engine breaks down into two possibilities:

1) You convert the engine for horizontal operation. This requires you to modify the lubrication system, and re-orient the carb(s), amongst other things, or-

2)Use something that will serve as an RAGB (right angle gear box). This could be anything from a single-speed, purpose built RAGB to a lawn tractor transmission modified to endure the high speeds.

What I can tell you is this- 50MPH carrying two people safely is a pretty tall order. You won't be able to to it with a centrifugal clutch. With the additional weight carrying requirement, you might even be hard-pressed to do it with a CVT (both with an industrial engine). For what you wish to accomplish, you should examine using a snowmobile engine and CVT, an ATV driveline, or a motorcycle engine/tranny combo.

 

[Maine Mud Mower]

Vw baha

 

[gvfc2]

id go with a small vw beetle engine and tranny or go with mortorcycle engine/tranny combo

 

[okenadie]

Thanks for the comments. I now have more info than I had before. Engine size needs to be bigger than I thought. I do have access to a motorcycle. It's been wrecked. But the engine and trany are OK. 450 Honda. Should be big enough. That leads me to a much stronger frame. And more mechanical mod's. But we are determined to do this. It's a project that he will remember for ever. I used to do a lot of fiberglass work. So he is designing the body for this thing. Any other help would be of a great help. And as we build this. We will post all the pic's here. And also the mechanical mod's. Maybe we can help others like you all are doing for us.

 

[Maine Mud Mower]

Well If your bound to do it then I can offer this as a front eng stating point Look up vw baja front beam and suspension. I would start with this if it was me. No sense in reinventing the wheel if its all ready tested and roles just fine

 

[okenadie]

This is the only way I can get on here. I have tried to log on. But no matter what I enter. It says I have entered the wrong info. This has happened to me before on this forum. How can I get it straightened out.

 

[gixxerkart]

Realistically you'll end up making a vw beetle. You'll use it's steering and swing arm, eng/trans. I can see this getting scrapped for an actual beetle. In fact, for less money, you could buy a rusted out beetle, and progressively restore it with him. Then you get to drive it until he's 16 and gift it to him. Best idea I've ever heard.