vertical shaft kart build

[Bluethunder3320]

and so i got lucky. new project. cant afford to work on my vintage style kart right now it will have to wait until summer.

13.5hp B&S. 7 years old. doesnt run (all apart) got for $10
murray riding mower, wheels, tecumseh transaxle, etc $20
4x 8 foot sections of 14 gauge 1x1 square tube $50

and so i begin. picked up the engine today so work begins tomorrow.

 

[ramairgtz]

If you need any help let me know I have a lawnmower kart with the same transaxle I can post some pics

 

[Bluethunder3320]

yeah! i wanna see! post the pics.

what did you do for a clutch? because can i just directly hook the belt up to the engine and transaxle, or, do i need to have a pulley tighten and loosen for the clutch?

 

[DCProductions]

I've always wondered why nobody slaps a cvt on these vertical shaft motors. I think that could be a clutch possibility for you (don't know what your budget is though). I guess the problems with that would be price, motor shaft type, and transaxle shaft type.

Sounds like a fun build! I'll try to keep up with it.

 

[r97]

price, if they have a good trans axle, why would they bother, i mean it would allow for even crazier speed and power, but not sure its worth it, you already have a 6 speed tranny, why dump 300+ on a tc?

blue,one idea to try would be to run the tranny with the stock pulleys (with belt tensioner clutch) so your not spinning the tranny faster than its made too, but instead of mounting the rear wheels on the trans-axle, run a chain from the tranny to the axle to change the ratio. that way it doesn't over work the tranny, but you still go fast.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

The only problem I can see with your idea, R97, is that if the transaxle has a built-in differential (which most do) the unused side will spin itself stupid while the "drive" side does nothing. Two possible remedies- 1)crack open the transaxle and find a way to weld up or otherwise defeat the differential 2)run identical sprockets and chains from both output shaft to the rear axle. Obviously, this option makes for more cost, complexity, and weight.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

well, the reason im using the transaxle is because i got it super cheap, and the wheels bolt right on.

how bout lighter tranny fluid?

 

[Garified]

Blue before the year's over you're going to have more projects than all of us put together.


Anyway, I've always wanted to see a build thread on something like this. The vertical shaft setup was the first idea for my low budget build, but changed to a horizontal shaft because of simplicity.


Good luck! I look forward to seeing how this thing turns out.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

Blue before the year's over you're going to have more projects than all of us put together.


Anyway, I've always wanted to see a build thread on something like this. The vertical shaft setup was the first idea for my low budget build, but changed to a horizontal shaft because of simplicity.


Good luck! I look forward to seeing how this thing turns out.

thanks man! i spend almost all my time working on stuff

well i have a drive stetup now. i cut the center out of the lawn mower blade pulley and cut the spot welds out of the original one. then i just welded the center 5/8 keyway to the other pulley and its done!

 

[Bluethunder3320]

gonna get this instead of messing with a tensioner http://www.mfgsupply.com/m/c/H1P37.html?mv_pc=Froogle

 

[r97]

personally i think 80 bucks could be spent better, but if you wan't. whats wrong with the belt tensioner?

 

[robbie]

Wow, that's an expensive clutch.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

the pulley i have is so small i doubt it would work well. i know its expensive, but thats one of the cheapest out there.

 

[DCProductions]

Will this work? It's not the same brand but I'm pretty sure comet is good
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-COMET-PULLE.../310292325741?pt=Go_Karts&hash=item483edd256d

There are some more on ebay "1 bore clutch pulley."

 

[Doc Sprocket]

well, the reason im using the transaxle is because i got it super cheap, and the wheels bolt right on.

how bout lighter tranny fluid?

Nope. If it's a decent transaxle that has actual seals to hold oil in, use a decent gear oil. If not, you're going to have to use grease, and hope for the best.

Any idea what model transaxle it is, or the make/model/year of the mower it came from?

 

[jrmints1415]

where did you get your steel from, Im not to happy about online ordering...
Who did you call...etc?

Thanks!

 

[r97]

Will this work? It's not the same brand but I'm pretty sure comet is good
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-COMET-PULLE.../310292325741?pt=Go_Karts&hash=item483edd256d

There are some more on ebay "1 bore clutch pulley."

not rated to handle his engines power.

EDIT: personally i still like the idea of using the tans-axle as just a transmission, you could setup a 1wd setup, but power both wheels. it would have many advantages, the only disadvantage is it takes up a bit more space, but the tranny will last much longer!

 

[r97]

where did you get your steel from, Im not to happy about online ordering...
Who did you call...etc?

Thanks!

search "steel yard" steel supply" "metal supply" ect in google maps. it also helps to add "near" and then your town and state into the search too, example:
"steel supply near Boston MA"

 

[jrmints1415]

i have been looking for months and thinking illinois is a pretty big state there is bound to be one. If you could link me that would be awesome! i know it might not be that hard to find but im really struggling. Can u help me???

Thanks so much!

 

[r97]

slight drive, but looks like a good place! they sell round bar with keyways which is nice.
http://www.nisteel.com/contact.htm

http://www.ryerson.com/index.asp

i would look at some of these too,
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=google+maps&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

also, if you can find a local metal shop you might be able to get them to either order you some steel, or tell you where to get some.