Street/Off Road Kart Build

[TBNRGoKart]

So I was designing a frame for street / off-road use (light gravel roads, has a bunch of pot holes). Would this frame work, or do I need to add more? I'm going to be using 1'' Square tubing, 15x6-6 Turf tires in the rear, 13x5-6 Cleat tires in front, Predator 212 with a 30 Series Torque Converter, Stage 1 kit, and that's about it. Any opinions are welcome. Just the chassis, nothing else, it is 23'' Wide and about 60'' Long

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

That would be buumpybumpybumpybumpy....
You might want more ground clearance, and springer front spindles like these: https://www.gopowersports.com/springer-spindles
The potholes are the main reason.

 

[950speed]

Get balloon type tires and that will absorb bumps also!!

 

[TBNRGoKart]

springer front spindles like these: https://www.gopowersports.com/springer-spindles
The potholes are the main reason.

I was planning on using springer spindles, they grade the road from time to time, but theres enough space between most that i could go around, most are less that 3-4'' deep, and as of right now i have about 5 inches with the https://www.gopowersports.com/15x600-6-turf-tire-wheel-assembly-2-pack-special/ in the back and https://www.gopowersports.com/13x5-6-cleat-tire-assembly-2-pack/ in the front. Does the chassis look like it would be fine though?

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

It looks plenty sturdy, but maybe add in a lateral brace between the three bars going forward from the engine plate area.
I hope that makes sense.

 

[TBNRGoKart]

It looks plenty sturdy, but maybe add in a lateral brace between the three bars going forward from the engine plate area.
I hope that makes sense.

So like a bar going across all the 45's at the bottom?

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

I don't know what you mean, but I'm talking about the three bars underneath the seat bottom.

 

[TBNRGoKart]

I don't know what you mean, but I'm talking about the three bars underneath the seat bottom.

Yeah, a bar across the 3 bars under the seat, connect the bar to the 3 45's?

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Ahh, now I see what you mean.
Yes, that's what I mean.

 

[PullHorse]

This design is similar to kartfab's deluxe kart if you want to look that up. If you are going to be driving fast through potholes I would think you may want to add more than just the springer spindles. Could get stiff and painful real fast. If you are in the USA adding some form of suspension shouldn't add too much cost if you are comfortable trying it.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

You might hinge the entire rear end like a lot of Yerf Dogs. Put the whole engine/axle rear subframe on two hinges, and then put shock mounts to suspend the whole rear frame.
Unless you want to put a bunch of time into it, I wouldn't suggest any more front suspension than the springer spindles.

 

[PullHorse]

You might hinge the entire rear end like a lot of Yerf Dogs. Put the whole engine/axle rear subframe on two hinges, and then put shock mounts to suspend the whole rear frame.
Unless you want to put a bunch of time into it, I wouldn't suggest any more front suspension than the springer spindles.

Ya I think that would help with the stiffness.

 

[TBNRGoKart]

Yeah you're right, but this kart is kinda designed to have 2 different setups, off road and on road, i wont be going super fast off road, but plan to try on road with slicks, probably some 11x6 rears and 11x4-5 fronts