[Kartbuilding] Wooden go-kart design

[Stephen Burke]

Hi Jeremy,

That 5.5 Tecumseh engine sounds good for the job. You'll have to get a 
centrifical clutch, sprockets and chain for the transmission. See:
http://blog.kartbuilding.net/2007/06/26/using-a-centrifugal-clutch-and-chain-drive/

As for kart plans, I've a few sets on the kartbuilding website depending 
on whether you want a "general purpose" or "racing" type kart.
See:
http://www.kartbuilding.net/racingkart/index.html
http://www.kartbuilding.net/Freeplans/plans.htm
http://www.kartbuilding.net/Highway_Street_Kart_1962/index.html

For your first engine powered kart, I would not bother with suspension. It 
adds a lot of complexity to things. With suspension, you have a lot of 
extra work to do with the steering and rear axle.

The steering setup is the same on all karts. It involves having front 
pivoting stub axles. On each of the pivoting stub axles is a "steering 
arm". A Track Rod is attached to each steering arm, and is either pushed 
or pulled by the steering column drop-arm.
See:
http://www.kartbuilding.net/Freeplans/steering.htm
http://www.kartbuilding.net/Freeplans/faxle.htm

http://www.kartbuilding.net/racingkart/Old_Racing_Kart/fullsteering.htm
http://www.kartbuilding.net/racingkart/Free_Racing_Kart_Plans_PDF/Main_Kart_Complete_13_Steering_Column_and_Linkage.pdf

If you have any questions just drop us an email.

Best of luck,
-steve


On Sun, 27 May 2012, Jeremy Sutton wrote:

> Steve,
>
> Thanks for the prompt response.  If you would like to link to the
> wooden go-kart page I sent you ever/any where you are more than
> welcome to.
>
> It is a very simple design, which worked well.
>
> My 5-year-old just inherited a 5.5 hp Tecumseh Enduro engine from my
> dad's power washer, which had a broken valve.  My father-in-law is a
> welder and aims to weld a a go-kart frame and we would like to use the
> engine for it.
>
> We are interested in:
> 1) Simple frame plans
> 2) How to build a steering system with steering wheel
> 3) Suspension
> 4) Clutch
> 5) Plans for attaching a chain to a crank
>
> This will be a budget car.
>
> Jeremy
>
>
> On Wed, Apr 4, 2012 at 3:16 PM, Stephen Burke wrote:
>> Hi Jeremy,
>>
>> Thanks for your comments on the kartbuilding.net website. I'm glad you like
>> it. I hope it can be an inspiration for people to design and make all kinds
>> of karts. The skateboards idea is cool. Not much ground clearance, but I can
>> see how it would work.
>>
>> Cheers for the link to
>> http://ourredwheelbarrow.blogspot.com/2012/04/push-go-karts.html?m=1
>> It makes it look so easy to build a wooden kart :-)
>> I can see that you add the steering blocks to all the karts to prevent the
>> front wheels from turning too sharply. I see what you mean about the plastic
>> seats. I attached sides to the plastic seat I used. See:
>> http://www.kartbuilding.net/Freeplans/seat.htm
>>
>> Let us know if you undertake any more karting projects.
>>
>> Best of luck,
>> -steve
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, 1 Apr 2012, Jeremy wrote:
>>
>>> Your website is great.  As a kid I had many push go-karts.  My favorite
>>> used the suspension and wheels from two professional quality skateboards.  I
>>> clocked 30mph going down San Francisco hills and could slide through the
>>> turns.  Used hand brakes from a bike to grip two tires.  Pretty worthless.
>>>  This weekend some parents and 3-5 year olds built a fleet of
>>> budget-friendly rugged push go-karts and I thought it might bring you a
>>> smile:
>>>
>>> http://ourredwheelbarrow.blogspot.com/2012/04/push-go-karts.html?m=1
>>>
>>> Enjoy,
>>>
>>> Jeremy
>