Viper STX

[tmpr]

I am building a Viper STX. The plans are free at mxk.com. I think the plans are pretty good actually. It was kind of easy to build too. I did do some things different, but mostly I kept to the plans. Here is a picture of where I was at after the first weekend.

 

[tmpr]

I added the front extension, that makes a big difference. The kart is kind of small without the extension. Here are some more pictures. Maybe somebody here has already built a Viper, I don't know.

 

[TheRacre]

Nice work keep posting updates!

 

[landuse]

Great start!

 

[tmpr]

OK, I added some paint, a steering wheel, the pedals, and a wheel with a sprocket. I have to redo my rear "axle". My wheel bearings are 3/4", and the plans had me set up for 5/8" bearings. No big deal, that should be easy to fix. I got an engine today, but I didn't mount it, because I don't have a clutch to line up with the sprocket yet.

 

[fowler]

that looks like a great simple solid kart

if the plans are free then maybe Robert would put them on the home page

good start
have got an engine choice yet?

 

[hackintoshMan]

I just checked, they are $20 for the plans.

 

[itsid]

$5 not $20, and no, they're free...
Boy, that is a site, information is all but consistent.

hackintosh, visit their forum and follow the pdf-plan link for the $5 view.
otherwise you'll see the $20 page.

Free plans are single pictures (no pdf) on the forum itself.

'sid

 

[hackintoshMan]

Oh wow, what a site!

 

[tmpr]

The engine is the Harbor Freight Tool "Predator" 212cc. I still don't have a cluch or brakes, so I started another kart. If you look close you can see I did the spindles/brackets different. Here are some pictures. The paint is just to stop the rust.

 

[mckutzy]

How are you going to mount brakes? What kind of brakes?
Scrub brakes?

 

[tmpr]

The brakes, or actually a brake will be a 4" drum brake and band that mounts to the spocket. Just like in the plans. I still need to make an order for the brake and clutch.

 

[itsid]

Since by the pictures I'd say you don't have already...

You should think about modifying your front spindles to achieve Ackermann steering geometry

'sid

 

[mckutzy]

I havent seen the "Plans", but I am curious as to why a number of these karts being build these days have these dead stub axles with one wheel drive. Is it that more effort/expense ect... for having a live axle in comparison? To me all this just seems more work than live axle?

Now OP dont take this wrong, you have done a good job, like I said, why a dead axle?

 

[tmpr]

Ok...Yes, the steering is messed up. I did build them like the plans. I reworked the spindle arms, but I don't have a picture right now. About it being one wheel drive, I am fine with that.

 

[OzFab]

That all seems pretty simple; where did you go wrong?

 

[tmpr]

Well, the plans have the spindle arms to the outside of the pivot/kinpin. For the Ackermann thing I need to be more to the inside. You can see the difference between Sids picture and the plans. The plans do say you can change the spindle assemblies from left to right to get the arms to point forward or backwards. They probably work better pointing forward.

 

[OzFab]

No, for ackermann setup, they're better off pointing back... If they point forward the steering arms need to point out towards the wheel...

Set them up facing back &, worst case scenario, if you're using bought 90* spindles, they can be modified to suit

 

[tmpr]

I was talking about the spindles in the plans. What I was saying is, if you build the spindle assemblies exactly like the plans. I would think they would then be better suited pointing forward. That is probably why I had trouble with them pointing backwards. If that is still not clear enough, look at the pictures.

 

[OzFab]

Ah, I think I see what you're saying; the kingpin mounting point is farther inboard then the tierod mounting hole but, it's not. Because the kingpin is on an angle, you need to take the reference point from the centre (as in height); the measurement between the top of the kingpins will be less than that of the bottom of the kingpins