From sburke at burkesys.com Wed Feb 3 22:04:15 2010 From: sburke at burkesys.com (Stephen Burke) Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 22:04:15 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Kartbuilding] 2 seater kart as final year project In-Reply-To: <100035581001300922k6a066b30m9f8fc834d122ea3@mail.gmail.com> References: <100035581001300922k6a066b30m9f8fc834d122ea3@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Bobby, I don't have any details on a 2 seater racing kart. What calculations and information would you be looking for? If you have a specific question just ask and I'll see if I can answer it. Best of luck, -steve On Sun, 31 Jan 2010, abe man wrote: > hello stephen, > > my name is bobby and im currently building an experimental 2 seater racing > kart > for my final year project. do you think you can help me with the project's > calculations > all all stuff? your quick reply is really appreciated and thank you for > reading this email. > > bobby > From sburke at burkesys.com Wed Feb 3 22:07:07 2010 From: sburke at burkesys.com (Stephen Burke) Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 22:07:07 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Kartbuilding] technical help In-Reply-To: <897393.59627.qm@web95403.mail.in2.yahoo.com> References: <897393.59627.qm@web95403.mail.in2.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Hi Hemanth, Sure, if you have any questions on making a kart, just ask and I'll see if I can answer them. Best of luck, -steve On Mon, 1 Feb 2010, hemanth potluri wrote: > > hi steve, > thanks a lot for your help man. > When i sent u the mail i wasnt sure that someone?would reply for it.I am very happy that there is someone to guide. > hemanth > From sburke at burkesys.com Wed Feb 3 22:12:02 2010 From: sburke at burkesys.com (Stephen Burke) Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 22:12:02 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Kartbuilding] your mail In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi, No. The plans on www.kartbuilding.net are mostly in Millimeters. There are 25 Millimeters in 1 inch. Therefore if you divide the measurements in the kart plans by 25, you will have the converted measurements in inches. You can also use google.com to convert the measurements to inches. Best of luck, -steve On Mon, 1 Feb 2010, jesse vega wrote: > > i don't understand are you using inches ? in the chasis drawing! please email me immdetaliy > _________________________________________________________________ From sburke at burkesys.com Wed Feb 3 22:27:56 2010 From: sburke at burkesys.com (Stephen Burke) Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 22:27:56 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Kartbuilding] Racing Kart Chasisis Dimensions In-Reply-To: <300210.48402.qm@web45114.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> References: <300210.48402.qm@web45114.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Hi Neil, You can download a 3D CAD model of a racing kart chassis (from a Tony Kart) from the kartbuilding website: http://blog.kartbuilding.net/2007/08/09/solidworks-cad-drawing-of-a-tony-kart-chassis/ You can also obtain details on a racing kart to FIA standards from: http://blog.kartbuilding.net/2007/07/12/free-technical-kart-drawings-fia/ I don't have the exact sizes of a briggs and stratton engine to hand. You might be able to download a 3d model of a similar sized engine from: www.3dcontentcentral.com If you do model up a kart, feel free to email on any information and I can put it up on the www.kartbuilding.net website to help other people interested in designing and making karts. Best of luck, -steve On Wed, 3 Feb 2010, Neil wrote: > Hello, > I am a 17 year old who is in highschool, and im doing a CAD drawing for a senior project. I chose to do a racing cart chassis as I use to race them. I was wondering if you could send me some more detailed dimensions (suggested length, width, width of the front, size of support bars for the front, width for engine block if useing a 5hp Briggs and Stratton.). Any extra dimensions would be appreciated. > ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Thank You for your time, > ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Neil > > > > From sburke at burkesys.com Wed Feb 17 21:56:49 2010 From: sburke at burkesys.com (Stephen Burke) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:56:49 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Kartbuilding] 2 seater kart as final year project In-Reply-To: <100035581002031834w33a0f0a2v683195e33d8a09db@mail.gmail.com> References: <100035581001300922k6a066b30m9f8fc834d122ea3@mail.gmail.com> <100035581002031834w33a0f0a2v683195e33d8a09db@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Bobby, You must have a good bit of the two-seater kart dine, if you are more than 50% finished! I'm sure it will come out fine. All of my karts in the beginning had no stress or weight calculations. It worked out ok for me. If you have 50% of the kart made, it is little point doing any calculations now, unless you need it to fill the FYP report. In any case I don't have time to get involved in your project. If you have any specific question, just ask. Best of Luck, -steve On Thu, 4 Feb 2010, abe man wrote: > Hi Steve, > > Actually it is a typical racing cart with one seat. But beceuse there is one > guy who wanted to sponsor his cart and everything, he told me if I can built > a 2 seater for the go kart as your final year project, u can use it. > > So right now im building an experimental 2 seater racing kart for my FYP. > > I dont know in details how to do the calculations and stuff in paper but > technically i can built it and until now, I think it is more than > 50% finished. > > I can give you the dimensions and stuff about the kart but i dont know how > to make calculations. Just simple one i can. So if you have the time and > willing to help me, both of us will try to do some calculations on this. > > And if you have anything that you need please ask me. I will be glad to > supply any information that you need. > > thanks, > Bobby > > On Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 6:04 AM, Stephen Burke wrote: > >> Hi Bobby, >> >> I don't have any details on a 2 seater racing kart. >> What calculations and information would you be looking for? >> >> If you have a specific question just ask and I'll see if I can answer it. >> >> Best of luck, >> -steve >> >> >> >> On Sun, 31 Jan 2010, abe man wrote: >> >> hello stephen, >>> >>> my name is bobby and im currently building an experimental 2 seater racing >>> kart >>> for my final year project. do you think you can help me with the project's >>> calculations >>> all all stuff? your quick reply is really appreciated and thank you for >>> reading this email. >>> >>> bobby >>> >>> > From sburke at burkesys.com Wed Feb 17 22:02:09 2010 From: sburke at burkesys.com (Stephen Burke) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:02:09 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Kartbuilding] Hey Stephen, question about go kart steering In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi Josh, Thanks for your email and comments. Yes all the karts on the kartbuilding website do not have suspension (at this stage anyways. The following website has information on suspension and frame design: http://www.sadik.net/gokart/ You can also see a video of making a kart with suspension on a recent blog article I wrote. See: http://blog.kartbuilding.net/2007/07/19/video-on-making-a-go-kart-with-suspension/ Apart from that, I don't have any more information on details for steering setup. You could always go ahead build the kart, and modify the steering afterwards. Best of luck, -steve On Thu, 4 Feb 2010, josh tulberg wrote: > > Hey Stephen, > I came across your awesome write-up ?Steering Geometry and setup for Go-Karts? > http://blog.kartbuilding.net/2007/07/12/steering-geometry-and-setup-for-go-karts/ > > and I noticed that you stress a few times that this info is for non-suspension go-karts. > And that it is also for allowing those w/ a solid live rear axle to steer smoothly. > > I am going to be building a kart that would have Trailing arm suspension (front & back) and also would have differentials. > > I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction for a steering geometry that more closely matches my suspension set-up or let me know which of your write-up I can still use for this set-up. > > Thanks. > -Josh > > > _________________________________________________________________ From sburke at burkesys.com Wed Feb 17 22:11:04 2010 From: sburke at burkesys.com (Stephen Burke) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:11:04 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Kartbuilding] question about the shape of a chasis In-Reply-To: <399281.80131.qm@web31704.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <399281.80131.qm@web31704.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Hi Max, That is a good question regarding shape of the chassis: whether a more square shape or rectangular shape is best. Typically square shaped chassis's are used in racing karts to have a very low center of gravity. I don't have an ideal answer for you. I suggest you read the following: http://kartbuilding.net/The_NatSKA_Guide_to_Karts_and_Karting/Pages-1-10-11-12-13-Chassis-Design.pdf Typically on some of the karts I make, the chassis is rectangular shaped, and then the rear axle and front axles stick out on either side. Therefore the wheelbase is more square shaped. If you do find out more on the specifics, I'd be interested to hear. Best of luck, -steve On Fri, 5 Feb 2010, Maximiliano Ichazo wrote: > Steve, > > What chassis is better for an off road kart: a rectangular shape (thin and long) or a box shape (wider)? I'm thinking about turning and ackerman. > > The chasis is going to be rigid. > > Your thoughts are very valuable. > > Regards, > > Max > > > > > From sburke at burkesys.com Wed Feb 17 23:03:14 2010 From: sburke at burkesys.com (Stephen Burke) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:03:14 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Kartbuilding] question In-Reply-To: <1D9E62FB4DA9403B93DFB0D0AB71F03C@rdcdd313aa> References: <1D9E62FB4DA9403B93DFB0D0AB71F03C@rdcdd313aa> Message-ID: Hi Bob, Thanks for your email. Are you looking to make an actual steering wheel or are you looking to see how you can add steering to the wooden kart? Unforunately there is no easy way to add steering to the simple wooden kart as on: http://www.kartbuilding.net/Wooden_Go-Kart_Plans/index.html It would be possible to put a vertical steering column attached to the main steering hex bolt as in http://www.kartbuilding.net/Wooden_Go-Kart_Plans/JPG_wooden_go-kart_plans/Wooden_Kart_Plans_7.jpg You could also add a sort of "tiller arm" to provide steering of the kart which could be done by hand. It would be a T shaped piece of timber/steel which is directly attached (screwed etc.) to the front axle. Then when the T is rotated, it rotates the front axle. It is quite crude however. I hope this helps. Best of luck, -steve On Wed, 10 Feb 2010, Robert Dean wrote: > Do you have plans on how to best build a steering wheel for a wooden kart- a kart much like the one on your web site. I have a rope now, but would to hook up some kind of steering wheel for my grandsons. > > Bob Dean From sburke at burkesys.com Wed Feb 17 23:05:24 2010 From: sburke at burkesys.com (Stephen Burke) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:05:24 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Kartbuilding] your mail In-Reply-To: <2e88a4961002111153ud02e017kad7650c1cf516546@mail.gmail.com> References: <2e88a4961002111153ud02e017kad7650c1cf516546@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Anthony, I didn't specify the weld specifications for the karts on the kartbuilding website. I used 3.5mm welding rods with a Manual Metal Arc welder. I know you can use tig welding with lighter walled steel tubing, however I didn't get that involved. I just used standard mild steel tubing with standard welding rods. Best of luck, -steve On Thu, 11 Feb 2010, anthony graziani wrote: > for the plans that you have on your web sit do you know what the weld specks > are > From sburke at burkesys.com Wed Feb 17 23:06:44 2010 From: sburke at burkesys.com (Stephen Burke) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:06:44 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Kartbuilding] kart plans In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi Carlos, Thanks for your email. I'm glad you found the www.kartbuilding.net website useful. If you build one of the karts, feel free to email on a few photos and details and I can put them up on the website to help others. Best of luck, -steve On Thu, 11 Feb 2010, carlos fernandes wrote: > > Thank you very much, i have been loking for plans like this for ages! > best wishes =) > > Carlos Alberto Vieira Fernandes, 19, Aveiro, Portugal > > _________________________________________________________________ From sburke at burkesys.com Wed Feb 17 23:25:39 2010 From: sburke at burkesys.com (Stephen Burke) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:25:39 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Kartbuilding] [Kartbuilding Blog] Comment: "Plans for a Lawnmower Powered Go-Kart - Finished" In-Reply-To: <675c7ceb0d06f874194e172761ece9a5@blog.kartbuilding.net> References: <675c7ceb0d06f874194e172761ece9a5@blog.kartbuilding.net> Message-ID: Hi Jonathan, Thanks for your excellent feedback and comment on the kartbuilding blog ( http://blog.kartbuilding.net/2009/11/14/plans-for-a-lawnmower-powered-go-kart-finished/#comments ) I have replied to your comments and I will add some notes to the kart plans reflecting some of the details you mentioned. Best of luck, -steve On Wed, 10 Feb 2010, Jonny wrote: > New comment on your post #61 "Plans for a Lawnmower Powered Go-Kart - Finished" > E-mail : jonathan.lloyd2000 > URL : > Hi, > > Just looked at your plans for a wooden gokart with a lawnmower engine. It looks great but I think you should mention that most lawnmower engines, of the push along variety, need the weight of a mower blade connected directly to the drive shaft acting as a flywheel. They are built with lighter flywheels, which are obviously cheaper! Without the blade, or at least some form of weight greater than an average pulley, the engine will be almost impossible to start and snatch the pull cord out of your hand. > Also, your setup does not have a slack belt clutch system, which would never work with a twist of 90deg in the drive. How do you engage/disengage drive? > Lastly, the machine is shown with a fixed rear axle. Without a differential and using a centre pivot steering system, the machine will, at best, be difficult to steer, at worst, just plough straight ahead! > Sorry if I sound negative, I just think people who are going to spend a lot of time building should be aware of these things before they get to that stage. > Good to see people putting stuff like this on the net though. You have done more than me! > From sburke at burkesys.com Thu Feb 18 22:31:27 2010 From: sburke at burkesys.com (Stephen Burke) Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:31:27 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Kartbuilding] [Kartbuilding Blog] Comment: "Plans for a Lawnmower Powered Go-Kart - Finished" In-Reply-To: <20100218180052.RCOX5.777099.root@web03-winn.ispmail.private.ntl.com> References: <20100218180052.RCOX5.777099.root@web03-winn.ispmail.private.ntl.com> Message-ID: Hi Jonny, Yes, there are some subtle things to watch out for on the belt drive setup. In particular the position of the idler pulley. Also the level/height of the pulley on the engine should be low enough to be parallel/flush with the bottom of the pulley on the rear axle. Of course this twisted V-Belt transmissions is quite crude. It did work for me however on my earlier karts. I wrote a webpage which is quite old now. Its at: http://www.kartbuilding.net/drive/drive.htm Under Heading 2. Lawnmower Engines with Vertical Shafts I outlined some of the methods you mentioned regarding gearboxes and using a differential (rotated upwards). The issue I found with gearboxes and differentials are they can be very heavy. On a small quick, rough and ready wooden go-kart I found the twisted drive belt to work reasonably easily and quickly. Thanks for your feedback. If you do get making any karts or come across anything interested feel free to drop me a mail/comment. -steve On Thu, 18 Feb 2010, jonathan.lloyd2000 wrote: > I just had a look at your slack belt clutch system. It's worth noting that the idler pully must be on the upper section of the pulley, as shown in your drawing, to avoid the idler pulling the belt off the drive pulley. I would also suggest that the type of belt used would be fairly critical. If the belt is too stiff it just won't want to twist with the obvious result of belts flying off all the time. I have considered using the small worm gearboxes that are often fitted to self propelled mowers. They are surprisingly tough and provide a ready made reduction ratio and horizontal drive all in one! Of course the best solution, if you can get one, is the small gearbox of a riding mower, either a transaxle with a built in differential or the smaller gear only boxes, with or without the differential, which incidentaly are usually fitted to the axle of these ride ons anyway. I often see old worn out ride on mowers on ebay with all these useful bits, wheels and steering etc. Someti mes they sell for very little. > > Jonny > ---- Stephen Burke wrote: >> Hi Jonathan, >> >> Thanks for your excellent feedback and comment on the kartbuilding blog ( >> http://blog.kartbuilding.net/2009/11/14/plans-for-a-lawnmower-powered-go-kart-finished/#comments >> ) >> >> I have replied to your comments and I will add some notes to the kart >> plans reflecting some of the details you mentioned. >> >> Best of luck, >> -steve >> >> >> >> On Wed, 10 Feb 2010, Jonny wrote: >> >>> New comment on your post #61 "Plans for a Lawnmower Powered Go-Kart - Finished" >>> E-mail : jonathan.lloyd2000 >>> URL : >>> Hi, >>> >>> Just looked at your plans for a wooden gokart with a lawnmower engine. It looks great but I think you should mention that most lawnmower engines, of the push along variety, need the weight of a mower blade connected directly to the drive shaft acting as a flywheel. They are built with lighter flywheels, which are obviously cheaper! Without the blade, or at least some form of weight greater than an average pulley, the engine will be almost impossible to start and snatch the pull cord out of your hand. >>> Also, your setup does not have a slack belt clutch system, which would never work with a twist of 90deg in the drive. How do you engage/disengage drive? >>> Lastly, the machine is shown with a fixed rear axle. Without a differential and using a centre pivot steering system, the machine will, at best, be difficult to steer, at worst, just plough straight ahead! >>> Sorry if I sound negative, I just think people who are going to spend a lot of time building should be aware of these things before they get to that stage. >>> Good to see people putting stuff like this on the net though. You have done more than me! >>> > >