The iKart build
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BigBlockRanger
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Compnerd88
Mr. Build-Sum-Sh!t
Looks nice man.....time to make it faster.....or at least louder
BigBlockRanger
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Quickie update: With my large self on it, it will hit a GPS indicated 25.4 mph. Plenty fast for me and my kids.
Blazkowiez
Kart Aficionado
Looks like you have a great project up and running.
My suggestions after just browsing pages 3/4 are safety based.
First, you should construct some sort of chain deflector, notice I didnt say chain guard because I dont expect you to reach behind the motor to grab the chain, but things do break, and fly off and an awesome rate which whips and can really hurt someone. It doesnt need to be much, just enough so when it does break it will be deflected down, you can make one pretty easily as they have mounting holes on the engine.
Second, didnt notice a kill switch at first, but I assume its on the steering wheel so I wont mention that. This suggestion is not safety related (was going to mention kill switch) but your recoil cover can easily be unbolted and rotated so you can pull it from the rear of the kart, it being in the front tends to snap that rope from hitting the cover a ton.
Third, your belly pan is entirely wood, I was scared on page three that you were not going to add one at all, but then I noticed you made one out of wood. Is this temporary? If not please consider welding steel under, it doesn't have to be terribly thick, but this does need to be done, wood breaks easily under the stress of our feet and with no belly pan lets get broken, very very broken.
Hope that helped some, if I think of more you'll hear about it. Good job on completing this thing once again.
My suggestions after just browsing pages 3/4 are safety based.
First, you should construct some sort of chain deflector, notice I didnt say chain guard because I dont expect you to reach behind the motor to grab the chain, but things do break, and fly off and an awesome rate which whips and can really hurt someone. It doesnt need to be much, just enough so when it does break it will be deflected down, you can make one pretty easily as they have mounting holes on the engine.
Second, didnt notice a kill switch at first, but I assume its on the steering wheel so I wont mention that. This suggestion is not safety related (was going to mention kill switch) but your recoil cover can easily be unbolted and rotated so you can pull it from the rear of the kart, it being in the front tends to snap that rope from hitting the cover a ton.
Third, your belly pan is entirely wood, I was scared on page three that you were not going to add one at all, but then I noticed you made one out of wood. Is this temporary? If not please consider welding steel under, it doesn't have to be terribly thick, but this does need to be done, wood breaks easily under the stress of our feet and with no belly pan lets get broken, very very broken.
Hope that helped some, if I think of more you'll hear about it. Good job on completing this thing once again.
Blazkowiez
Kart Aficionado
When starting a kart its always best to have it wedged against something like a tire or tree, or on a jack stand, never leave a kart able to run away when starting it, chasing after a kart is not fun and can really get someone hurt. That is a simple safety practice.
Most people will still pull the kart from the rear yet never turn the recoil to the rear on these engines, through pulling the rope at an adverse angle it will wear the rope and break.
Aside from a remote choke, how do you intend to operate those features while sitting inside any typical kart?
Most people will still pull the kart from the rear yet never turn the recoil to the rear on these engines, through pulling the rope at an adverse angle it will wear the rope and break.
Aside from a remote choke, how do you intend to operate those features while sitting inside any typical kart?
Doc Sprocket
*********
Neat build! I thought it started a little weird, but turned out very well! I too would be inclined to run one tie-rod side to side, then a single "drag link" if you will, from the steering column to driver's side spindle. Either way, nice job!
As far as the great starter debate goes, I have started a kart with a stuck throttle that I wasn't aware of, and very nearly damaged myself being almost nailed by it. Now, I always stand behind the kart. My recoil has been clocked so the rope comes on a 45* up-angle from the back of the engine. Most times I try to discipline myself to block the front of the kart at startup. If I forget, and the kart were to f**k off on me, at least I won't get hurt, and that's priority #1 for me. Now I just need to remember to block it every time. My mishap occurred with a small kart with 4hp. Mine's a heavey bugger with a GX340. No way I wanna get mowed over with that!
As far as the great starter debate goes, I have started a kart with a stuck throttle that I wasn't aware of, and very nearly damaged myself being almost nailed by it. Now, I always stand behind the kart. My recoil has been clocked so the rope comes on a 45* up-angle from the back of the engine. Most times I try to discipline myself to block the front of the kart at startup. If I forget, and the kart were to f**k off on me, at least I won't get hurt, and that's priority #1 for me. Now I just need to remember to block it every time. My mishap occurred with a small kart with 4hp. Mine's a heavey bugger with a GX340. No way I wanna get mowed over with that!
Kaptain Krunch
Pro Junk Collector
If you all had bike engines, you wouldnt have to worry about propping the thing against a corner of a building or tree to start it 
Seriously though, its not a bad idea, or if you have a parking brake, to at least engage that before starting.
Seriously though, its not a bad idea, or if you have a parking brake, to at least engage that before starting.
Blazkowiez
Kart Aficionado
Shouldnt be too hard to set up the remote choke, though doesnt electric start and no lead to the choke defeat most of the purpose of the electric start. My statement pertained to those people who try to start the karts from the side or inside of the kart, which from inside the kart it is typically very hard to reach back and touch the choke.
Thats awesome that you have electric start though. Very cool.
Thats awesome that you have electric start though. Very cool.
BigBlockRanger
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Man I just have to sit here and laugh....
I get nit picked for safety issues when half the d-i-y karts on here are a trip to the morgue waiting to happen. L-M-A-O.
FYI:
> Last time we were out, I did think about making a chain guard.
> The 3/8" plywood floor is more than sufficient. Hell I can stand on it no problem AND it is easily replaced of necessary. I seriously doubt it will ever need to be replaced.
> It has a kill button.
> If the rope breaks, I will fix it.
I get nit picked for safety issues when half the d-i-y karts on here are a trip to the morgue waiting to happen. L-M-A-O.
FYI:
> Last time we were out, I did think about making a chain guard.
> The 3/8" plywood floor is more than sufficient. Hell I can stand on it no problem AND it is easily replaced of necessary. I seriously doubt it will ever need to be replaced.
> It has a kill button.
> If the rope breaks, I will fix it.
Blazkowiez
Kart Aficionado
Eh, we give suggestions because we care man. Think of it this way, your project is NOT one one that has be thinking, "holy crap, he hasnt broken both his legs yet?"
Edit for explanation:
I think this when people have nothing in the front of the kart between their feet and the curb, sorry to single anyone out, I think T-Man's A-Frame kart would fall under that category, It looks awesome and its a great idea but seems like any small accident could break a bone. Not mentioning any one kart here there are other things that I've witnessed that can contribute to bodily harm: poor gauge of steel, lack of safety supports or perhaps nerf bars, and even a gas tank mounted above the head of a rider with no support for rollover, come to mind immediately.
Your kart does not lead me to that line of thought...
Edit for explanation:
I think this when people have nothing in the front of the kart between their feet and the curb, sorry to single anyone out, I think T-Man's A-Frame kart would fall under that category, It looks awesome and its a great idea but seems like any small accident could break a bone. Not mentioning any one kart here there are other things that I've witnessed that can contribute to bodily harm: poor gauge of steel, lack of safety supports or perhaps nerf bars, and even a gas tank mounted above the head of a rider with no support for rollover, come to mind immediately.
Your kart does not lead me to that line of thought...
Last edited:
Kaptain Krunch
Pro Junk Collector
I have seen much less safe karts on here, looks good to me. I have had factory metal floor panels break off before (cheap factory welds), plywood seems fine.
BigBlockRanger
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Because of the wood floor pan?
it will majicaly dissapear and snap your legs into two didnt you know that?
Blazkowiez
Kart Aficionado
Hah, I left out the not. I actually wasnt thinking that. Thats fixed. I seriously did not intend that statement. I do feel wood is dangerous but that is my concern, not yours, its your kart, enjoy the wood. Wood is much much better than no belly pan at all.
Just because I can, I'll ask another crazy question that pisses people off... and what point does your pedal stop for the accelerator? Do you have a stop on the frame of the kart or is it simply the cable that does the stopping for you?
Just because I can, I'll ask another crazy question that pisses people off... and what point does your pedal stop for the accelerator? Do you have a stop on the frame of the kart or is it simply the cable that does the stopping for you?
BigBlockRanger
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Pedal stops on the frame, by design.
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