Gokart Buggy project.

[katoranger]

The girls and I are going to build a gokart for their 4-H project for next years fair.

I think we should try and build something similar to this. Will use some China power in the form of a Honda clone from Harbor freight.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181260370582?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648

Grandpa has donated this rack made of 1" square tubing for the project. Rack comes with the trailer that will be following us home after Thanksgiving.

I wasn't originally planning on suspension, but thinking about it now.

[SpudRider]

I'm subscribed, Allen. :) This looks like a very fun project! :tup:

[Wild_Alaskan]

You know you want suspension ;)

[Weldangrind]

If you're using something like ATV rear tires, rear suspension won't be mandatory. You can create your own front spindle brackets (with a little caster angle) and some Chev valve springs for front suspension. Will it be used on a paved track or off road?

[katoranger]

Just in the yard. Mowed grass with small hills. I am going to use some lawn tractor tires since they are already here.

Need to keep the costs down too.

[katoranger]

I brought that trailer back to Kansas with me. Dry rotted tires made the 600 mile trip. Got that rack plus two metal workbenches and three metal shelves.

The rack is made of thinner wall 1 inch square tubing. Perfect for a frame.

Looking for some parts if anyone has anything out there.

[Weldangrind]

Tell us what you need.

[Wild_Alaskan]

this guy has some neat build videos to give you some more ideas if you haven't settled on a plan yet. he has several different buggys and i think he gives out the plans

http://www.youtube.com/user/Tmansgokarts

[katoranger]

WA I have seen his videos.

Weld. We will need a live axle, sprockets, bearings, and rear hubs. I think I will get a clone engine from harbor freight and a comet torque convertor belt drive.

Most of the other parts I have.

Really not sure if the suspension is needed. If we do go with suspension it won't have much travel. Will build the rear of the cart with a big swingarm and then simple a arms for the front.

[Weldangrind]

I have a differential rear axle with a sprocket from an old Cadet 75; would that help? I happen to have a well-worn trans for it as well, and it has reverse.

[Wild_Alaskan]

Ive got lots of bicycle stuff, bars, complete hydraulic break setups maybe even some rotors if you need any thing like that

[katoranger]

We will see what way this progresses. I have a peerless differential, but I think I am going to use a live axle.

I wonder if I can adapt a bicycle disc brake setup on it.

[FastDoc]

I don't have any parts to contribute but this is a worthy project. I'd be happy to kick in some $ for sundries in return for pics of your kids enjoying the finished product :-)

[katoranger]

Doc. Let me get our plan together. I have some stuff I plan to sell/trade for a new predator engine and a comet knockoff. That is $200 worth. The axle and bearings sprocket about another $100. I think I can find a used axle and hubs.

My total parts estimate of $400.

[katoranger]

There will be plenty of pictures. I think the axle and bearings will be needed first.

[katoranger]

Predator engine is on sale for $99
http://www.harborfreight.com/65-hp-212cc-ohv-horizontal-shaft-gas-engine-69727.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/6/9/69727_zzz_500.jpg

[katoranger]

Some of the parts I had in mind.
This mount with the jackshaft already ready.
http://www.bmikarts.com/-Motor-Mount-Plate-with-Jackshaft-and-Bearings_p_1051.html
Not sure on the length of axle yet. I think keeping it narrower will help with turns.
http://www.bmikarts.com/1-Steel-Live-Axle_p_517.html
Axle bearings. Also considering pillow blocks.
http://www.bmikarts.com/1-Bearing-Kit-3-hole-_p_486.html
I think that I can get some golf car rims that will fit these hubs.
http://www.bmikarts.com/Wheel-Hub-with-4-516-Bolts-on-a-2-1316-Circle-1-Bore_p_1658.html
Simple drum brake. Not sure about this yet, but we are not planning on a high speed machine.
http://www.bmikarts.com/6-Brake-Drum-for-1-Axle-_p_562.html
http://www.bmikarts.com/6-Brake-Band-_p_544.html
I may want a 72T sprocket to help keep speed down too.
http://www.bmikarts.com/40-Sprocket-60T-with-1-Hub-_p_1415.html
This is the key part to make it perform well. I believe this is a comet clone.
http://www.bmikarts.com/Torque-Converter-for-41-Chain-34-Bore-TAV2-Replacement_p_1029.html

[katoranger]

Can scratch the engine mount with jackshaft. The comet TAV already has one. I can make a mounting plate.

[katoranger]

I think our goal is to build something like this yerf dog.
http://images.craigslist.org/00W0W_6ogj1ZRIJPd_600x450.jpg
The rear of the yerf dog has a swingarm with the engine mounted on it.

I would like a front suspension like this.
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=40077&d=1378250555
More complicated, but I feel better. I think this is from a yamaha blaster.

[FastDoc]

PM me :-)

[Weldangrind]

A TAV? You're looking to get some speed out of this!

Are there any abandoned buggy projects on CL that would give you a good foundation?

[katoranger]

I have been looking on craigslist, but being an hour or more drive from a populated area limits alot. I keep checking for something that may be able to donate parts or use for a start.

Speed. Maybe. I am going to make a throttle limiter. I plan to gear it low too. Fast acceleration is the goal.

[katoranger]

I must have missed these.
http://seks.craigslist.org/sno/4209828411.html This one would be fun. Don't have $350 to spend on it though.

This would make a good parts donar.
http://seks.craigslist.org/mcy/4146535313.html

[SpudRider]

That 2-person go cart looks pretty nice! :)

http://images.craigslist.org/00u0u_1wQEtDxXAVa_600x450.jpg

[katoranger]

I sent a text about that one, but no response. I am sure that the no forward is easily fixed.

[katoranger]

Lily is pretending to drive her box.

[SpudRider]

Lilly has good body English to compensate for the right hand turn. :tup:



:lol:

[katoranger]

Elise in box and Emilie.

[katoranger]

http://seks.craigslist.org/mcy/4220129018.html

[Weldangrind]

That's an excellent starting point.

[katoranger]

That kart does not have a live axle, but the price is right.

[SpudRider]

Elise in box and Emilie.

I like Emilie's hat; she has the Christmas spirit. :tup: Elise fits into a pretty small box! Perhaps I could fit one of my feet into that box, but nothing else. ;)

[katoranger]

She will be 5 on the 26th of December. She bent over and I could almost close the box up.

[SpudRider]

She has a beautiful smile. :) The girls seem to be pretty excited about the go cart project! :tup:

[katoranger]

They are. Lily likes to build. I have decided to keep it simple and build with no suspension.

No response on the craigslist carts. I will keep looking.

[Weldangrind]

That kart does not have a live axle, but the price is right.

Are you committed to a live axle?

[katoranger]

Yes. I have had the one wheelers. They would be stuck all the time. That single wheel spinning tears the grass up too.

[katoranger]

I cut up the rack into nice pieces of tubing. Emilie came out and help me take apart the lawn tractor. She like to use the impact wrench. The van will be getting the leather seats so those old blue ones may be used for our seats. At least the sliders. I would like some of those nice buckets in the buggies, but too expensive.

[katoranger]

Emilie removed the engine with alittle coaching. We had to stop and get a bandaid and the returned to the task. Buford was overseeing from the shelf.:D

[katoranger]

I measured out the back and I believe a 36" axle should be about right. Will pick up some golf cart wheels from my FIL at Christmas and mount the mower tires on them. I can buy hubs with the correct pattern to fit the golf cart wheels.

If I weld the frame tube under the front axle it should sit close to level. I plan to put some time into the steering to that it has good geometry.

[SpudRider]

Emily got a lot of good work done. :tup: As always, Buford did a superb job supervising the work. ;)

[Weldangrind]

It doesn't have to be a one-legger. I think the rear axle I have has a differential.

[katoranger]

I am not sure about using a differential axle. I have a differential axle here, but the shafts are small and I can't find any information on it. Would help with turning. What size axle shafts does it have?

[katoranger]

Weld, I still have that pit bike exhaust you sent me. Thinking that I may make it into a stinger.

[Weldangrind]

That would be awesome! An old Keihin clone would also be a good idea, because it's much easier to fabricate a throttle with a cable than with linkage.

[katoranger]

They make all kinds of parts for the clone engines. Need to get some parts ordered.

[katoranger]

Selling some of my no longer used junk on ebay. Almost have the predator engine covered. I have some SU carb parts someplace. That should get me a few more parts.

[FastDoc]

Are there amny MG's or Spitfires in Kansas?

[katoranger]

Yes. The carbs came from an auction that had a Datsun 1600?. Bunch of pieces in nice shape with some new parts. Think I paid $10 for them.

[katoranger]

Was looking on ebay for kart projects and came across this. Made from a lawn tractor. The murray we have been stripping parts from has a flat frame. Giving me some ideas. I also spotted a kart in a yard in town.

[katoranger]

I got a harbor freight engine coupon in my pocket. Good until April.

[SpudRider]

I love Harbor Freight! :tup:

[Weldangrind]

I got a harbor freight engine coupon in my pocket. Good until April.

Is it a 6.5? How much?

[katoranger]

Coupon is for $99. The online sale ended, but now I have the coupon. I think I will pick one up on our next trip.

[Weldangrind]

I scored one for $65.00 a few years ago. Didn't even have a use for it; bought it on spec. It'll power my minibike project eventually.

[katoranger]

I don't get to the sales.

[Weldangrind]

I used a 20% off coupon in addition to a sale price. They don't allow the discount coupons to be applied to motors and other fun stuff anymore.

[katoranger]

$99 is still a bargain on a engine like that.

[Weldangrind]

Totally. Costco had their Champion motors on for the same price a couple of years ago. I already had my HF motor, so I let it go.

[katoranger]

That 2-person go cart looks pretty nice! :)

http://images.craigslist.org/00u0u_1wQEtDxXAVa_600x450.jpg

The seller texted me back and still has it. They want $350 and it has no forward gear.

[Weldangrind]

They can always ask, but it's not likely that they'll get $350 for a China buggy with no forward gear.

[katoranger]

I am not going to pay that. Thinking about $200. They still have it and its been a few weeks since saw that ad.

[Weldangrind]

What is it powered by? I have some horizontal motor stuff that you're welcome to. Perhaps enough to fix the forward gear issue.

[katoranger]

I believe it has a 150cc GY6. Not sure on the forward/reverse setup yet. Trying to research it. Also need to measure the big blue van to see if it will fit in the back.

[Weldangrind]

Good score, if it's a GY6. The planetary reverse setup is still available online, and it bolts to the output shaft, right where the rear wheel bolted on your Elite.

[katoranger]

I think finding the parts will be easy. My plan is to go will some cash and see what they say.

[katoranger]

Its possible that something simple is broken or stuck. My be a zero dollar fix.

[katoranger]

Similar buggy.

http://buggynews.com/carter-talon-dlx150r-fix-up-t40930.html

[katoranger]

My wife didn't balk. Plan is to go look tomorrow night. Its about 30 minutes away.

[SpudRider]

Good luck, Allen. :tup:

[katoranger]

Need to fill the van up with oil for the trip. Thinks its a 2 stroke.

[SpudRider]

:lol:

[Weldangrind]

My wife didn't balk. Plan is to go look tomorrow night. Its about 30 minutes away.

I love it when the CFO is in a good mood.

[katoranger]

I only plan to go with $200. We will see if there is any room to negotiate.

[katoranger]

Back to China riding. One Vision Razor z2150r buggy made the trip home in the back of the van. I showed up and it started right up. Everything works. ( I even got it to go forward.) $320 with new battery, sparkplug and air filter. Has aluminum wheels and good tires too.

He took the cage off to fit it into the van. We took it for a rip around the yard. I think the CVT is sticking in a higher ratio. Not much low end grunt. The cable for the shifter is stretch and needs adjusting and the positive battery cable terminal is loose.

Lights and horn work.

I think I will start a new thread on this buggy.

[SpudRider]

That's wonderful! :tup: Your daughter's beautiful smile expresses her delight. :)

http://www.chinariders.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=582&stc=1&d=1386983349

[FastDoc]

That looks awesome! Very safe for the girls too.

It will be an absolute riot in the snow!

[katoranger]

Tomorrow we will get to work on it. I think most of the problem is in the CVT and the shift cable.

[Weldangrind]

Awesome! You're our leading GY6 / CVT expert; this is going to be an enjoyable project.

[katoranger]

I felt comfortable buying knowing that parts are pretty easy to find.