Vintage Go Kart Build

[GoAlterBridge]

Thanks a lot for all your input guys, you've all been real helpfull!
I am going to be making my on steering wheel, and I have a 31.4 inch long round bar that is 1/2 inch thick that I'm going to bend into a circle so it's 10 inches in diameter. Does anyone know how I can make some sort of jig so i can just bend the metal around it? Wood is out of the question since I'm going to be using Mapp Gas to heat the bar up until it's red hot, then bend it.

 

[GoAlterBridge]

Sorry I haven't posted in a while guys, our net's been down for a week.
I've gotten quite a bit done on the frame, it's almost done. I'm waiting for my dad to get me some pieces of metal for the steering.
Here are some pictures of the frame right now:

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z51/GoAlterBridge/DCP_4404.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z51/GoAlterBridge/DCP_4403.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z51/GoAlterBridge/DCP_4401.jpg

 

[RobertD]

looks like a sharp frame! good work. for the steering -- you might consider a "butterfly" wheel. http://www.margay.com/shop/steering-comp.htm has both examples.

 

[GoAlterBridge]

Thanks, Robert.
I didn't even think of doing anything besides the "traditional" steering wheel; Thanks for the suggestion. The butterfly wheel would be a lot simpler, and cooler too.

 

[2or3wheels]

If its the one im thinking of, it looks older.

 

[GoAlterBridge]

Here is what I've done since my previous pictures:

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z51/GoAlterBridge/DCP_4407.jpg

From left to right:
The steering support, the steering shaft, the tube to hold it, the tie rods, the two tie rod ends, and the pitman arm assembly.
Sorry there aren't any close ups, and that it's dark.

Tell me what you think.

 

[GoAlterBridge]

Here is what I've done today:

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z51/GoAlterBridge/DCP_4410.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z51/GoAlterBridge/DCP_4411.jpg

 

[robin]

wher do your legs go ???

 

[GoAlterBridge]

In front of you.

 

[2or3wheels]

LOL smartass, looks cool.

 

[GoAlterBridge]

Thanks.
Here are some from today:

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z51/GoAlterBridge/DCP_4414.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z51/GoAlterBridge/DCP_4413.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z51/GoAlterBridge/DCP_4412.jpg

In those photos, you get to see my workshop at it's best, minus the angle grinder and mallet. You could probably already tell that when I started my steering wheel, I wanted it to look "really weird".

 

[2or3wheels]

Well when you see pics of go karts back when they were werid and that style. So i think it was a good choice.

 

[robin]

i mean do u put them on the out side or the inside of the stering stand bit ?

 

[GoAlterBridge]

I knew what you meant, Robin, I was just messin' around. ;-D
You legs go around the steering support, becuase the kart is so short.
Thanks for the positive input, guys.

 

[2or3wheels]

Yeah. Hopefully when i sell my mini motor cycle i will have eneugh money for a welder then the fun WILL begin.

 

[GoAlterBridge]

Yeah that'll be great for you! The one I got was only 110 dollars, and it works great for the price!

 

[2or3wheels]

Arc or wire feed?

 

[GoAlterBridge]

Wire fed. It came with the wire, too. I haven't run out of it.

 

[GoAlterBridge]

If my ebay account gets fixed today (It doesn't recognize me) I am thinking about getting these tires, because they should last a while since I'm not racing,
and they are cheaper then the wheels I was going to get.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Go-Kart-Tires-W...ryZ64657QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[rocko]

dont forget

that is gonna be expensive becuase you are going to have to buy hubs