The Not So Cool Mini Buggy Build

[n1kogr]

i got mine on ebay for $60 with steering rack and just no spindles

 

[TeamCheap]

Good deal

 

[n1kogr]

It was parts day today!

new 45"x1" axle

Aluminum 4 bolt wheel hubs (hope not too much re-drilling to fit on to my rims)

Some extra 1/4" key way. A pillow block and also my two 13 tooth sprockets for my jack shaft.

Cone shaped spacers for my rod ends that should be in soon so i can re-do my a arms. also a shift knob i got for free

Lastly got some rod to make my shifter linkages. (sorry for blurry pic)

If anyone needs special hardware like my cone shaped spacers go to these guys shipped in 3 days and great quality at a great price!

*Stay tuned, more updates to come Monday!

 

[bighead]

Looking like some fun working with new parts.

 

[n1kogr]

My last set of parts came today. 5/8 rod ends all i can say is man are these big and im sure i shouldn't have a problem with them failing.

So i decided on extending my swing arm for some more clearance. Im half way finished just got to do the other side.

How i did it was take 3.5" piece of angle iron and a big hammer. I folded and flattened the angle iron so it was strong and straight. After that i welded the iron to the old swing arm brackets and then added a support. im thinking of adding a little triangle where i joined the two metals for extra strength..

 

[n1kogr]

Some more pics

 

[n1kogr]

I put that kx 80 shock on and i really like how it sits in this position. I think i might get another one for the other side.

Also heres my rim and my hub... Ill figure out a way to match them up.

 

[r97]

You didn't measure the bolt circle before ordering the hubs!? Looks like you need to make an adapter plate, or buy the correct hubs.

 

[n1kogr]

Yea I measured but i measured wrong stupid mistake but im not really bothered by it as this is an easy fix.

 

[landuse]

I was looking at the pics of your frontend, and was wondering if you maybe need to beef up the area around your spindles. I have indicated the area where I think you might get some bending if you hit some bad bumps.

I was also looking at the welds on the extension for your swingarem. Did you maybe hit them with a hammer a couple of times to see if they are solid. You have got to make sure those welds are good, cos they are holding your engine and the rest of your kart together (important pieces )

 

[KieranM]

Im sorry man, but I cant see this ending good.... where you extended the swingarm to where it is now is a major weak point.

 

[frankysfree]

Looking good. The only thing i would be worried about is whats been said before, the swingarm extensions being a weak point.

I would box them in. Boxing means take plate and weld on the top and bottom between the two brackets to create a box instead of two single brackets. That will strengthen it exceptionally better on all axis than what you have now which will want to bend sideways the first bump you hit.

 

[sideways]

Im sorry man, but I cant see this ending good.... where you extended the swingarm to where it is now is a major weak point.

X a lot.

Sorry mate but that all looks really dodgy, I think you have far to much faith in the strength of your fabrication.

That swing arm extension looks far to weak, even if the welds hold, I can pretty much guarantee the arms will eventually bend. You said you've done it to increase clearance. I assume you mean clearance of the mechanicals on the swing arm?

Also, your front end appears to just be welded to the front rail of the kart. This is not strong enough, please brace it.

Did you weld that jackshaft to the Honda's crank or something?

 

[n1kogr]

I was looking at the pics of your frontend, and was wondering if you maybe need to beef up the area around your spindles. I have indicated the area where I think you might get some bending if you hit some bad bumps.

I was also looking at the welds on the extension for your swingarem. Did you maybe hit them with a hammer a couple of times to see if they are solid. You have got to make sure those welds are good, cos they are holding your engine and the rest of your kart together (important pieces )

Im sorry man, but I cant see this ending good.... where you extended the swingarm to where it is now is a major weak point.

Looking good. The only thing i would be worried about is whats been said before, the swingarm extensions being a weak point.

I would box them in. Boxing means take plate and weld on the top and bottom between the two brackets to create a box instead of two single brackets. That will strengthen it exceptionally better on all axis than what you have now which will want to bend sideways the first bump you hit.

X a lot.

Sorry mate but that all looks really dodgy, I think you have far to much faith in the strength of your fabrication.

That swing arm extension looks far to weak, even if the welds hold, I can pretty much guarantee the arms will eventually bend. You said you've done it to increase clearance. I assume you mean clearance of the mechanicals on the swing arm?

Also, your front end appears to just be welded to the front rail of the kart. This is not strong enough, please brace it.

Did you weld that jackshaft to the Honda's crank or something?

Okay i have read through the replies you guys have wrote and id like to answer your questions. For the front end i got the 4 5/8 rod ends just for this purpose. I wouldn't dare to go off reading like that they are just tacked in place.. For the extensions i will box them in that was my plan from the beginning but i just need to go get some materials as i dont have anymore steel. The front end will get braced in correctly once the roll cage is the way i want it. As for the jackshaft, i made a hub out of locking collars for the axle to slide in with a key way. I hope ive answered your questions and i appreciate all the help and suggestions you guys give me.. I will let you know this is my first buggy build and the next one will be 100x better...

 

[fl250540]

looks good so far man, keep it up...

 

[landuse]

We are just trying to keep you safe. You have got a nice build going there though

 

[n1kogr]

Little teaser of what came in the mail today

 

[n1kogr]

Got back on working on the buggy today and raised my roll bar. The front of it will be completely cut off and run straight to the yerf front end for upper support then a few support bars here and there.

Riped the cage off

Started raising it 4 inches. The rear is going to get lots of supports im not leaving it like that..

I also changed over to .35 wire on my little flux core and let me tell you my welds look better and are alot alot stronger

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I don't know if the topic's been pounded to death yet, but for your own safety (and the integrity of your build...)

...I really don't like the amount of leverage your front wheels will impart on those rod ends. You've got to find a way to reel those puppies in. Try to find a way to mount the rod ends so that they are right on the ends of the arms, either underslung or inset.

 

[n1kogr]

as i have stated before in the thread i have purchased 4 5/8 rod ends to redo the a arms and try and make them bullet proof