go cart frame,

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hi, i'm trying to make a go cart using a lawnmower engine (vertical shaft). I'm wondering if there is any way (without using wood) to build a go cart frame without welding. I thought of using thick metal tubing used for plumbing and using metal connecters (90 degr. and T's). Would this work? Also what kind of clutch should I use for my engine since it's vertical.(I don't want to use a pully clutch.) And last but not least what type of breaks should I use. I have going to have a live axel if it matters. THANX

-- bm (modt_25@hotmail.com), July 24, 2003

Answers

BM try 2 bolt a frame 2 gethere and about every thing else i don't know.

-- jr (shortyboards@aol.com), July 25, 2003.

hi, The thought of a blot together frame is a good way around not welding, but make sure to use lock nuts on every bolt! The vibration will loosen standard nuts and the frame will fall apart. I just got done building a 4-wheeler and everything bolted has lock nuts(found this out the hard way). For your frame, I'd use 1" or 1.5" angle iron, or an old bed frame would work too. You said you didn't want to use a belt pulley? This may be the only way without finding a 90 degree gearbox to go from vertical to horiz. shaft. The good thing about a centrifugal v-belt clutch is that the belt will twist from vert. to horiz. positions to hook up to the axle. Almost all riding lawnmowers run v-belts to the rear axle in this manner and it works. I ordered this clutch befor at www.northerntool.com. the clutch part number is 1376. They have a ton of go-kart parts really cheap. They also have brakes and other parts you might need. Hope this helps!

-- brian (brianlindley@hotmail.com), July 26, 2003.

sorry... "a bolt together", not blot! my typing sucks!

-- brian (brianlindley@hotmail.com), July 26, 2003.

hey guys thanks a lot i have also been wanting to construct a go kart and i dont want to get a welder so this will help a lot tahnks.

-- King Fitzy (KingFitzy82@hotmail.com), September 25, 2003.

thats cool............im going to get started straight away.iv always been thinking abot building a go cart with a push lawnmower engin!but i always wondered whether putting the engin on its side welding a cog onto it and on the rear axel another cog and connect them with a chain.no gear box just running off the one gear and useing a throttel to control the speed!please anwser because im hopeing to get started soon and im only 13 so i need all the help i can get.and im from ireland!!!!!!!!!TANKS

-- dominic ryan (dippy110@hotmail.com), September 27, 2003.


If u put your verical push mower on it's side, you will soon find out your go cart wont go anymore....where there's ment to be oil ther will be no oil because you have it on it's side, therfore it will seize up and wreck your engine. buy a motor cycle engine or somthing that has the same parts tat could be used on a go cart..good luck...Im planning on building a go cart prety soon, ive got a 1100cc motorbike engine..gonna fly:) Mole

-- MOLE (mojo60_4@hotmail.com), October 31, 2003.

u guys r fucked if u want to bild a gokart with a vert shaft u need a lownmower that drives it self but u still need to walk beind. and then u take the gear box a find a way to get a bigger axel in it then hook it to your axer some how then go driving.

-- billy (circa_man@hotmail.com), November 02, 2003.

LOL if some of yall knew any thing you would know how to mount a lawnmower engin on a go-kart. first you take a go-kart frame then mount the engine above and in front of the rear axle then you get a steal pole then mount a pully and a sproket on the pole then you get a rear axle that has wheels then with one wheel off mount a nother sprocket on the axle then you mount the rubber belt on the pullys and there it is a lawn mower engine on a go-kart. ha ha ha and all this from a 16 year old guy that has never built a go-kart before ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

-- killer (a1killer@msn.com), November 03, 2003.

get a rear sprocket, chain, and front sprocket from a dirt bike, hook it up to a steal shaft. Make sure everything is straight or else the chain will come off. I am 14

-- austin koolp (noemail@aol.com), November 12, 2003.

i dont actually care how old u r

-- wouldnt u like to no (madperson2@hotmail.com), November 16, 2003.


Listen I will tell you right now! There is a simple way to convert your vertical drive shaft into a horizontal drive shaft. The thing you need is called a spider gear which can come in many sizes. You can by these gears in some magazines for $20.00. What it is, is simply a gear that you will have to weld on to the drive shaft and a gear that connects to it horizontaly.

-- none (bballnumba6@hotmail.com), November 23, 2003.

If you go to home depot you can get 3/4" gas pipe pieces and fittings to make your go cart frame. You can complete the whole frame in one night. You'll need to make one "union" connection at the rear, but it makes a good motor mount.

-- Skippy (kartchamp911@yahoo.com), January 09, 2004.

u all suck u fuckers

-- bobsexyman (bob@comcast.net), January 12, 2004.

hi, i need to no how to build a gocart easly i really dunt no nethin bout them so i need all the help i can get wut kind of engine should i use and how to mount it nd how jus to do the whole thing thanx

-- joe (independent361@aol.com), January 23, 2004.

You kids shouldnt be using the computer if you dont even know how to spell STEEL!!!

-- too old for you (jake@hotmail.com), January 27, 2004.


i only know a litle bit about building a go kart but i need some serios help i have an old moter bike engine that i want to get out of the bike mount it and fix a acelerator pedal instead of a bike acelerator wher u have to twist to throtle it.The bike is automatic so i dont think i need a gear box or cluch. thanx a lot if u help me.

-- paul rone (pmrgame007@aol.com), February 19, 2004.

I know alot about go kart engines from working on them. I have had a go kart of my own since i was about 6. I've worked on and customized many karts for people. Now I want to build a really good fast go kart. I have a engine and all supplies. Does any one know how I can get a pre built frame, with everything. I only want to install the engine, brakes, lines, and electronics. If any knows you anything please e-mail me. Thanks

-- John (hoopz108@comcast.net), February 23, 2004.

Maybe have a look at some older style steering boxes (from light trucks probably would be the best bet). They provide gear reduction as well as changing the shaft direction by 90 degrees. It just crossed my mind, I have not researched it any farther than that. Maybe it's not a good idea, I don't know. I think the ratio would be about right that you could drive the input end (where the stearing wheel shaft would attach) from the motor shaft with a hardware store shaft coupling, and then drive the wheel axle directly off the output side of the shaft. Inside those older style steering boxes is a ring and pinion type of gear setup. Also keep in mind that a lawn mower engine will not run with the blade removed because the top flywheel is not really a flywheel (it's too light), it's only a fan. You have to replace the mass of the blade somehow. I built a lawnmower egnerator and used an iron pulley to replace the mass of the blade and drive the alternator. Anyway, once it's all said and done, it could end up easier and cheeper to spend the $50.00 or whatever on a used horizontal shaft motor from ebay or something.

-- Mike Sharkey (michael@sharkey.servebeer.com), March 29, 2004.

for the engine just turn it sideways, hook up a gasoline hose to it and the tank, so you can turn it and you're good to go :) and i'm only tewlve!! none of you could tell him this?? :)

-- Michael (mtneylon@sbcglobal.net), March 31, 2004.

does BM stand for Big Mac?

-- who cares? (hihiblue123@ihumpmypillow.com), March 31, 2004.

O yea, my way is a lot more simple than killer's. And Killer i also haven't built a go cart :) ha you loser! what now?!

-- Michael (mtneylon@sbcglobal.net), March 31, 2004.

dont know nothing about your go~cart problem! but BM stands for bowell movement! mm mm good

-- nuckles busted (nuttymechanic@blownengine.com), April 03, 2004.

hey john! heres an anser 4 u. try viper.com they got som bodies. google viper, cus i dont no the rest of the sites name

-- louis mak (louismak@sbcglobal.net), April 11, 2004.

hi, im also planning on building a go kart, im 14. Need sum help!! If you mount a lawnmower to the go kart ,as soon as you pull start the engine, wouldnt it start moving straight away?? i mean do u put ,basicly, a wheel where the blade would go??? PLEASE HELP. IM USING THIS WEBSITE: WWW.BUILDYOUROWNGOKART.COM!" PPLZ EMAIL ME¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

-- James (james761@btopenworld.com), April 12, 2004.

good luck freaks.....use the half twist v-belt or die trying with your gears and transmissions.....Comet makes good cheap parts.all you need for vertical to horizontal is 2pulleys, (1 with a built in clutch $25) and a belt with a half twist....now go build carts you freaks!!!

-- Scrumptious B. Precious (chrisandkim6@comcast.net), April 12, 2004.

why do things have to be heavy to be strong?..how about a PVC frame? and i'll fill it with Helium. Plexiglass motor mount plate...mabey ply wood would take heat better...and i can fill parts of the pvc frame with epoxy or resin so i can tap/thread it....and i'll power it with a hoover 12 amp......it has wind tunnel technology, you know....

-- Scrumptious B. Precious (chrisandkim6@comcast.net), April 12, 2004.

Hey i need written out plans for building a go kart. I can not weld so does anyone got any sites with pics on how to build without welding?

-- Ray poop (pezzhead89@aol.com), April 13, 2004.

you guys dont know nothing. first of all a lawn mower engine wont run with out a blade on it. So there for if you want to build a gocart you will have to some how mount a blade of a long rod on the shaft, but make damn sure3 that the

-- dallas b. h. doolittle (nirvanna715@aol.com), April 20, 2004.

you guys dont know nothing. first of all a lawn mower engine wont run with out a blade on it. So there for if you want to build a gocart you will have to some how mount a blade of a long rod on the shaft, but make damn sure that the rod or the blade is centered on the shaft other wise it will vibrate like a mofo.

-- dallas b. h. doolittle (nirvanna715@aol.com), April 20, 2004.

if you dont wanna weld just uswe threaded pipe and put some jb weld on the thread so they stay. and all these kids startin shit are fags. go home and dont talk anymore you stupid fucks

-- jim (czwyimmy@yahoo.com), May 08, 2004.

http://www.gokart-gas-gokarts.com/

-- (warrenray@hotmail.com), May 19, 2004.

Your best bet if you dont want to weld is to use angle iron and bolt it (lock nuts or lock tite a must). Or you can use black pipe (gas pipe)but with black pipe its hard to mount a engine plate or bearings for the rear axle. For a engine you can mess with a virtical shaft engine off a lawn mower if you want, not the best idea. You should use a horizontal shaft engine for the best results. If you are young and dont have much money look for someone throwing out a old snowblower, rototiller, or a pressure washer. The best of luck to all of you go carts are lots of fun ive been building and riding them and mini bikes for a long time.

-- (busajd420@aol.com), May 19, 2004.

best way to do it is to get a rototiller engine that has a horizontal axel and buy a concitrical force clutch pulley at a place that carries lawnmowers ,etc. then run the belt off the pulley and straight to another pulley on your wheel... and guys shut the fuck up because nobody cares how damn old you are... by the way make sure your engine is directly straight or i warn you that you wont feel your ass after 30 minutes of driving... have fun!

-- vince (NB_Cricket916@hotmail.com), May 22, 2004.

and dallas your a dumbass you dont need a blade ... think man think

-- vince (NB_Cricket101@hotmail.com), May 22, 2004.

No point in making a go kart with a lawnmower engine. It wont be fast and its too much effort. get some experience with go karts or motorbikes and then get hold of a decent motorbike engine and you will be able to make a proper go kart. You have to know exactly what you are doing or you will end up with a shit go kart and shit loads of time would have been wasted!

-- u_go_2 (hotmail@hotmail.com), May 31, 2004.

Hi i'm trying to build a go cart right now and i'm having some troubles with the brakes i'm using the idia of using a centrifical clutch and when i brake useing a pinch systome the centrifical clutch will bring the engin down to a nutrle i just want to know if that will work and if not any ajustments or diferences i should make?

-- Donovan (bmxer_1111@hotmail.com), June 07, 2004.

no ur brake idea want wrok because u cant really do that like u siad it starts to idole alot and it wont stay the way u wont it all u have to do is walled ur brake so u would have a good grip with ur brake so re walled it put it on and ull be back to normal.

-- paul (roadster1685@aol.com), June 08, 2004.

The guys with the stupid comments (IE you all suck and F*** all of you), shutup, if you aren't helping you are the problem. An idea for those wanting to build a more serious go kart. Old Chevy small block engines are a dime a dozen and they have a lot of power. If you use one though you will be talking some serious go kart and serious work but also serious power. If you can get a hold of an old riding mower, the engines on those are decent and that will solve the clutch problem to, you just need to build a new frame to house the clutch, so make sure that it is tough. Using two chainsaw motors (BE CAREFUL!!!) works as well. You need big beefy chainsaws, but you can mount on per side in the back and since those have idle and throttle built in you are all set for a 'clutch'. Just either spend some time making sure they are balanced to each other (IE operate at the same speed as the throttle is moved), or give yourself a throttle on either side and use that to steer. (IE let up on one, and pull down on the other to turn). Bolts are okay for a frame, but def use locking nuts as someone mentioned. You may also want to put some rubber tubing, or foam over some of the joints AFTER THEY ARE SECURE to cut back on vibration noises. Though if it vibrates too much, you need to tighten the bolts. And don't use little bolts, they can snap and then you can wind up dead. You've been warned. Also, don't drill the holes too big (so don't use overly large bolts either). The steel will give out and that is just as bad as bolts breaking. Welding is still the best way. But get someone who knows what they are doing. If your weld thins the metal too much or is cold, it could snap very easily. Good luck, and remember to wear a helmet and be CAREFUL.

-- Jason (none@none.com), June 10, 2004.

Some poeople have no idea what they're talking about on this board. You don't need a blade on a lawn mower engine for it to run , are you stupid? Second I like Torque Converters much more than centrif. clutches. Briggs motors are soo damn easy to work on. I'm used to dirtbike engines and shit. I'll be putting a 1992 Suzuki RM 80cc Liquid cooled engine on a small live axel cart with slicks, with a clutch pedal and shifter lever. Also a body kit and front mounted radiator...can you say fun? I have shit load of 5hp HORIZONTAL briggs engine parts like carb, coil, etc. Good luck and we should be able to post pictures on this board!

-- Shawn (madcow24a@hotmail.com), June 18, 2004.

i am having problems too. i have a 3hp briggs mini bike...centrifical clutch... same idea as a go kart. i was out riding it and the clutch popped out. the spring and 4 pieces of metal broke out. its not broken...just disassembled. i'm not too familiar with the clutch, either because im used to working on skidoo belt clutches. any ideas on this? thanks.

-- tidal wade (cup1967@hotmail.com), July 04, 2004.

Tidal. No problem. Did you find the snap rings?? you place the spring on the one plate, then the (should be 6) pieces of medal (as you called them) over the spring making sure the the grove is over and facing the spring. Place the other plate in place and install the snapring. Then place your outer housing on it and install that snapring. I don't believe that I forgot anything.

-- Texasfire (texasfire@hotmail.com), July 10, 2004.

*I will not use any big words for all you small minded people in this

-- chris (chris_inthedark@hotmail.com), July 10, 2004.

I wrote a few pages worth of answers for people who want to build there own go-cart/buggy, but it did not submit, it was obviously too big, I will provide a link to it here in a bit. But first I will tell you what it includes -A guide to show all of you morons not what do do while building a go- cart/buggy and how to build one that isn't a complete peice of crap. -Tons of burns and disses at all of the people who can't build there own go-cart/buggy and a few paragraphs about me bragging to all of you no good idiots.

Well even though that is mostly true I will also tell you how to do things right, and I also added a few tips to get the most out of your engine.

plz read it you won't be displeased.

-- chris (chris_inthedark@hotmail.com), July 10, 2004.


Ok actually I won't post a link here becuase I am too lazy to build a web page just for one topic. Instead I will email it to you if you post your Email here and tell me you want it sent.

-- chris (chris_inthedark@hotmail.com), July 10, 2004.

*** If you believe that if you post here and you will get a logical answer, well im sorry but no, noone in here has a clue, there all struggling to build there own heap of useless metal.

-- chris (chris_inthedark@hotmail.com), July 10, 2004.

--------GO CART FRAME--------- How it should be: Tubing for frame 32mm or 1.25 inches E-mail me for the pictures of how it looks like

-- Dallas (banjo_bean@hotmail.com), July 12, 2004.

I don't know I'm trying to find out myself.

-- stupid (lillamar@netzero.net), July 12, 2004.

Ok sorry I posted all that crap up there, Anyway the type of metal tubing to be used on a go-cart will vary depending on the type of cart you are making. I have seen both types of metal used, my cart uses the 32mm cold rolled steel gas line(thats what it used before I rebuilt it, I would have preffered the larger thinner walled tubing)I recomend this for average sized go-carts and beginner builders, because you can arc weld it. If you are going to have a expirienced welder weld your go-cart then I prefer the 1 1/4" tubing, like if you are building a full roll cage, or if your building one that resembles a sand-rail then use the 1 1/4" or larger, and its allmost impossible to arc weld it because of the thin walls. If you want to see how I made my go-cart, I can email you some pics. (It started out as a one wheel drive, with a centrifugal clutch, and no roll bar/cage, and no suspension, with 4 tiny tiny little tires, Now it has full front indy suspension, swing bar in the rear, a roll bar, because roll cages are gay, larger tires in the rear, and a larger engine, I still need to find a cheap torq-a-verter though)

-- Chris s (chris_inthedark@hotmail.com), July 14, 2004.

I think all you fuckers should get lives and get the fuck off the net bitches

-- fuck nob bitch (Kullicummer@book-mark.com), July 15, 2004.

Hey I completely agree with that. Trying to give advice to morons makes you a complete moron. Holy shit you guys are idiots, "how do I start an engine", "how do I weld metal", how about how do I shove my foot up all your asses, after that tell me how it feels.

Sincerely Chris kiss my ass

-- chris (chris_inthedark@hotmail.com), July 16, 2004.


michael did u not read that when you turn a vertical shaft sideways oil is displaced. do you honestly think that engineers and ppl that have had sex longer then you've been alive would not think of that. What is the purpose of oil? to lubricate and protect engines form wear? right so wat hapens when oil isnt distributed to the correct places? metal starts to rub metal. and wat happens when that happens? the engine begins to wear at a much faster rate then when it was mounted correctly. You do not have any experience with engines and u think you knwo everythin dont you? truth is u really dotn knwo anything. ure goin to be in 7th grade next year. wow the big middle school. i hope u dont get lost in ure first year of havin multiple teachers. See ure a child barely older then the baby that is sucking its mothers tit. so instead of looking at go cart sites go ask ure mother to make you a sandwhich

-- simply browsing (hom on the range@aol.com), July 19, 2004.

all us who think ur hot shots r f^ked up and dont hav a clue ur selves and if u want a go kart plan find one ur self ,,, u do hav the net slack assesd or if ur gonna f^ck around and no use a welder u might as well just go out and buy an ol;d heap of sh^t that might awork

-- jimmy (ur gay . com@bigpond.com), August 03, 2004.

ok first of all using a frame with bolts totally sux,even with threadlocked bolts because all the tension on the areas will cause the bolts to unlock,i suggest using a welder,if not then find 1.also if ur going to fuck around with vertical shaft engines there is a way that i have invented to convert ur drive from vertical to horisontal.first of all get sum bicicle sproketts and chains,then use a combination of two of them to get ur desired ratio,then weld or bolt the larger 1 to ur axle,then blot the smaller one to the shaft of the motor and make both the cogs so theteeth are rubbing againsteach other,it works and a clutch comes in handy,maybe mounting a centrifugal clutch off the shaft of the motor is a great way,this duz work,but like evry1 else sais not much power comes from lawn mower engines,they arent designed to move people,

-- helpful advice (o0womanizew0o@hotmail.com), August 05, 2004.

sorry,its o0womanizer0o@hotmail.com

-- helpful advice (o0womanier0o@hotmail.com), August 05, 2004.

ok,first of all i went around the garbage and picked up 2 5hp briggs and stratton engines,i combined the parts to make 1 working engine,then i found a busted up moped and got the clutch off that then i got my sprockets and mounted them,no i didnt put it on a go kart,as they are a waste of ttime and shitty,i built a homemade mini chopper out of an old moutorbike that i also found,i got the seat,suspension,fuel tank and other parts, and then i put it all together,for those of u who dont have a clue what a minibike\chopper is search google images.minibikes kik ass

-- tips (whitetrash_out_west@hotmail.com), August 15, 2004.

when bolting the frame together make sure you used lock washers on the bolt side and the nut side. because if you don't then the viberation will soon enough make it come apart.

-- Jason (gkr@comcast.net), August 19, 2004.

well, i built a go-cart already using 1' squaretubing. Built a rectangle frame, and put support bars on it. Have an 11hp horizontal engine on it with a centrical cluch on it and a chain. Disk brakes i got from the local go-cart shop and i was good to go

-- Matthew (trojanmatt@wi.rr.com), August 21, 2004.

Chris If You would email what ever plans you have to me it would help me out alot. kypartman@aol.com

-- Jim (kypartman@aol.com), August 27, 2004.

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