[Kartbuilding] Quad bike into an off road gokart?

[Stephen Burke]

Hi Robin,

Thanks for your email and kind comments on the kartbuilding blog.

You're lucky you have 1 and 1/2 quads to work with. You've loads of parts 
to work with.

As you mentioned, the main problem with the quad is that its high off the 
ground, the engine is under the seat. Also the width of the rear axle is 
quite narrow. A go-kart would have a wide wheelbase so it would not 
overturn going around corners.

I wonder would it be possible to extend the length of the rear axle, to 
make it wider.
At this stage, if you're fully sure you want to make a kart (as opposed to 
just fix 1 quad), is to start dismantling the quads and taking all the 
parts out. You can then see how the transmission is, and how the rear 
wheels are bolted to the rear axle. I've seen someone cut and shorten the 
rear axle of a car (which had a drive shaft and differential). So, maybe 
you could extend the rear axle width? Depending on how things go, you may 
be able to put the engine at the rear of the kart in the middle, and then 
have the drivers seat in front of the rear axle.

If you want to email on photos of the quad parts dismantled, I can see 
what might be the best way to arrange the components together to get the 
kart working.

Best of luck,
-steve

On Tue, 17 Jul 2012, Robin Hauptle wrote:

> Hi there i have decided 2 start building a off road go kart .... i am
> hoping 2 make a plan to convert a quad bike into an off road kart ...
> was wondering if u wouldn't mind having a look and see if u can come
> up with a plan to make the conversion ... basically i am wanting to
> keep the steering rack and the suspension and then use what ever else
> i can ... reason is i have 1 and a half quads that are in a bad
> condition ... so ...decided 2 give it a try lol.... my main problem
> atm is the fact that on a quad bike the motor is under where one sits
> ... this would not work for the kart lol ... any help or basic designs
> would be great ...
>
>
> oh btw i think ur blog rocks and will definitely be keeping an eye on
> it ... thanks for all the info very useful ... ur doing a great job :D
>
>
>
> Thanks Robin
>
>
> P.s if u want any of the info on the quad i have pls let me know ill
> send u pic's and anything else u may need :D
>