[Kartbuilding] DIY go-karts (race-lawnmower engine)

[Stephen Burke]

Hi Gerard,

If you want to build a racing kart with a lawnmower engine, then the belt 
drive & tensioner method that is used on the kartbuilding.net website 
won't be suitable. The steering (front arm pivoting with your feet) isn't 
really suitable for high speeds either.

When you say lawnmower engine, can you choose if it has a "horizontal" 
output shaft (instead of a standard "vertical" drive shaft")?
If you can get a lawnmower engine with a "horizontal" drive shaft (used on 
cylinder lawnmowers - see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xin2lTnx2aQ ) 
then you can use a chain drive and centrifical clutch. That's what you 
need really if you are going to race the kart.

If you're stuck with a "Vertical" drive shaft, then you should look into 
getting the gearbox off a ride-on lawnmower. This will take the drive from 
a vertical shaft and drive the rear wheels. (Actually tractor or ride-on 
lawnmower racing is very common).

I'd suggest you make a metal chassis and get a proper steering setup in 
place. That would mean following either of the two sets of plans on the 
kartbuilding.net website:
http://kartbuilding.net/racingkart/index.html
http://kartbuilding.net/Freeplans/plans.htm

I hope this information is useful.
Best of luck,
-steve


On Mon, 4 Jul 2011, Gerard Vassen wrote:

> I would just like to know how to build a race go-kart that would use a lawnmower engine as a source of power, I would also like
> to get some blueprints or plans on how to build one of these, and more or less the cost of doing that?
> 
> Could you please let me know how to do this or share some info with me on how to build one.
> 
> Thank you 
> 
>