Three wheeler

[cartbum224]

Alright, im pretty new to this whole build your own go cart thing, but i had an idea. I thought about A three wheeled go cart. there would be power in the rear 18" tire from a briggs and stratton 10hp engine, and steering in the from two 12" tires. the frame will be made out of 1x1" square steel tube. im not quite sure what sprockets, clutches and brake to use, and how to git it all together. If you have any advice or answers, that would e really helpful!

Thanks, Tim

 

[oscaryu1]

Pictures?

 

[2or3wheels]

why not just buy one then, they are like 200 bucks around here

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

why not just buy one then, they are like 200 bucks around here

Try reading his post. A "3wheeler" generally refers to the somewhat unstable and very dangerous 1 wheel in front 2 in back setup of the deadly ATVs they used to make. This is the other way around 2 in front 1 in back, more stable.

 

[cartbum224]

Does anyone have any road legalities that i should be concerned of? I'm going to add speedometers, TACHometers, engine exhaust temp gauge, headlights, tail lights and turn signals. But will i need a motorcycle license? Im only going to drive it in my quiet neighborhood, but are there street-legal laws?

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

If its gonna be on the street, im pretty sure its a cycle. Your gonna need DOT approved tires.

 

[cartbum224]

DOT approved...well, the website im getting the wheel off of, (BMI go cart parts) doesn't say if it is or not....

 

[ineed2fly]

Anything meant for a car should be DOT approved, and yes you will need a motorcycle licence. In which case you will need every "safety" feature a bike has, lights, blinkers, horn, speedo.....

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

I highly doubt it is.

 

[cartbum224]

do you know where i can find an 18" diameter by 9" width DOT approved wheel?

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Rim doesn't matter, just gotta have the right tire.

 

[crazycart]

Try reading his post. A "3wheeler" generally refers to the somewhat unstable and very dangerous 1 wheel in front 2 in back setup of the deadly ATVs they used to make. This is the other way around 2 in front 1 in back, more stable.

Hey man, im sorry, but, the "deadly atv's" are what started all the performance quads we have today, i am picking up a 1981 honda 250r 3 wheeler, the FIRST race production trike, called the father of all sport quads, 3 wheelers are no more dangerous than go karts or minibikes or quads, it depends on who's driving it. The "deadly atv" phrase is a stereotype. People got hurt on them not wearing helmets, remember this was when atvs first came out, so people didnt think about helmets much. And when they did get hurt (without a helmet) they blamed the 3 wheelers and the companies who made them. Sorry for the rant, but i just gotta represent the 3 wheeler world!

 

[AutoMX]

well they're more likely to tip over in hard braking or cornering on hills, they passed laws banning them in many places because there was sufficient evidence it was more dangerous than a 4 wheeler. i'm not saying they're terrible or anything, just what i know for sure. either way, the law was aimed at ANYONE, including eager and stupid people.

anyway, we have like 2 or 3 threads dealing with the same type of reverse trike right now.

the 10hp B&S or any utility motor will not be legal on the street, you must use a bike motor of some kind, some states allow offroad motors too, CA does not for example.

tires will need to be highway legal tires, and the smallest you'll find are 10" rim trailer wheels, but those will still be about half of the width you want. i dont know of any full DOT compliant tires that small and that wide.

you need DOT compliant tires, EPA approved engine, a quiet exhaust (measured by DMV), DOT windscreen if you will use one, brakes and lights checked by a DMV or a dealer, full bill of sale for everything, etc..
lots to do to make it road legal.

oh yea and check what license u need for it, here in cali i just need a type C license (car)

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

EPA approved is nowhere on my MI inspection sheet, I will have to go dig it out to be sure. If you needed an EPA approved engine half the cars on the road today wouldn't be running. You just gotta be careful in states with emissions laws(lean it out or bribe the guy testing it).

 

[cartbum224]

so you guys are saying, if i drive it around my neighborhood streets for like 20 mins, and its not DOT, EPA, DMV and approved by a dealer, then i could get pulled over and arrested by cop?

 

[redcali]

well you could but you wouldnt, they would ask you to stop or leave or possibly fine you.

depending on where you are, where you are running and how you are running it

 

[cartbum224]

do you think that the noise of the cart itself would get me in trouble?

 

[oscaryu1]

If it sounds like a motorcycle, probably.

 

[redcali]

yea, it really depends how much you piss off your neighbours as to how much attention you get.

the cops dont really actively patrol suburbia looking for gokarts.
not here anyway.

 

[2or3wheels]

three wheelers are the best. They are light and poerful. The 250r is an insane fun producer. crazy kart, if your getting the first year is it an 81 or 80, and its air cooled right? Ive only rode liquids.