[Kartbuilding] Do you have any lightweight, afforable frame recommendations for a simple fun / yard / gokart? (fwd)

[Stephen Burke]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:24:33 -0600
From: "Norm Chambers \\(fiber.net\\)"
To: Stephen Burke
Subject: Re: Do you have any lightweight,
     afforable frame recommendations for a simple fun / yard / gokart?

WOW Steve - thanks for all that info.  I'd been to all those sites except 
ubuilditplans, but I was just getting confused.  I felt like I had too many 
options, and not enough experience to know how they all fit together.

I've now ordered the Kit from Northern Tool (should be here in a couple weeks!) 
and if it's just too heavy, maybe I'll work on getting it lighter later.

I'm going to research those torque converters and get one on the way soon.

I appreciate all the info - - you have really helped me make some good choices. 
Hopefully I won't make a mess of this project :)

-Norm Chambers




----- Original Message ----- From: "Stephen Burke" <sburke at burkesys.com>
To: "Norm Chambers" <norm at chambers.org>
Cc: <kartbuilding at lists.burkesys.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 2:22 AM
Subject: Re: Do you have any lightweight, afforable frame recommendations for a 
simple fun / yard / gokart?


> Hi Norm,
> 
> Im glad that you found the www.kartbuilding.net website and are finding it 
> useful.
> Firstly, that engine sounds ok. Engines with a horizontal drive shaft are 
> much easier to work with. I think I found the parts listing for that engine 
> at:
> http://shop.briggsandstratton.com/BShopProductPage.asp?CatalogID=656F8AC4-B611-4BB3-95BF-A9C915B1275A&MECID=100&CategoryID=&lrid=&ProductID=56B2BBE4-283C-11D4-8886-00B0D0203414#
> You will definately need a torque converter for that engine. This will get 
> the maximum speed over a range of terrains.
> www.northerntool.com is the best place to get Go-Kart parts and accessories. 
> Various torque converters can be found here:
> http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_6970_291701+93+544611
> 
> Now, onto your chassis and lightweight assembly. There are lots and lots of 
> places on the internet where you can buy go-kart assembly kits.
> Northerntool.com do actually have a Go-Kart assembly kit at:
> http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_1039461_1039461
> which looks pretty nice, however does cost around $650. The wheels and seat 
> comes with this package. If you want to trim down the weight as much as 
> possible, I think this kit has too much in it. Ideall you would be able to 
> attach a lightweight plastic seat onto an assembled chassis as per: 
> http://www.kartbuilding.net/Freeplans/seat.htm
> I have also heard of www.ubuilditplans.com
> http://www.ubuilditplans.com/NEWUBUILDITKITS.HTML has various stages, i.e. 
> just the chassis, or the chassis and wheels or the chassis + wheels + engine. 
> Again as when buying parts etc. you are paying quite a bit of money. Also the 
> karts on ubuilditplans look heavy and a bit much for your small engine.
> 
> If you can navigate http://www.mxk.com/  there are lightweight kits 
> available. See:
> http://www.tres-angle.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=GFOM&Category_Code=YKAP
> and
> http://www.tres-angle.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=GFOM&Product_Code=YK020WX
> which is a pre-welded kit and chassis.
> 
> The torque converter will make things much easier and should be able to cope 
> with whatever weight the kart is.
> 
> I hope this provided you with what you were looking for.
> Best of Luck,
> -steve
> 
> On Sat, 7 Jul 2007, Norm Chambers wrote:
> 
>> My 11-year old Brandon and I are going to build a gokart this summer (not
>> for racing at all), and your site has lots of great information.  Thanks for
>> all the tips and details.
>> 
>> We are writing in hopes of getting pointers for lightweight and affordable
>> frames and complete kits that we can basically assemble.  I don't have any
>> experience welding, and I'm not a big handyman either, so I am hoping to
>> make this basically an Assembly project, instead of a Fabrication & Design
>> project.
>> 
>> We have to keep things light and because of our engine size - - we'll be
>> using a dinky 4-stroke B&S 110 cu engine (horizontal shaft, model 60101,
>> type 1016-02, code 8206 3003 - the only owner's manual I found said 7 cubic
>> inches, which is about 110 cc's)
>> 
>> We do have some pretty good hills around our house (10% grade), so with this
>> little engine, I'd love pointers on how to gear it right, and what torque
>> converters you like in this case.
>> 
>> Keeping in mind that Brandon and his brothers and sisters weigh 60 to 125
>> lbs.
>> 
>> Thanks in advance for any pointers you have on simple lightweight frames and
>> kits, and any ideas you have for nice torque converters and good sprocket
>> ratios.
>> 
>> -Norm Chambers
>