Homebuilt Go Kart

Hey fellas! After touching on this topic in another thread, I thought I'd highlight it here. Though I'm new to the lawn tractor world, the go kart stuff is my bag- and closely related.

I'll answer any questions you may have, but here's the short version-

The frame is completely scratchbuilt from recovered scrap steel. The rear wheels, tires, axle and differential are from an old lawn tractor. From the same lawn tractor came the front axle beam, spindles, steering rack, and wheels. Front tires are from a gardening wagon. Couple tie rods ends from an old ATV. Steering wheel from a Microsoft Wingman Force Feedback game controller. The jackshaft and bearings are from an industrial ventilation fan. I bought the 4hp Kohler clone new from Princess Auto, and the Comet centrifugal clutch. A couple of the sprockets are new, and the yellow vinyl I upholstered it with came from Fabricland. The brake master cylinder, hose, and caliper came from a 1989 Yamaha Virago 250 motorcycle. I had the John Deere graphics made at a vinyl cutting place. With careful shopping, scavenging, and recycling, I only put about $200 into it.

do u know how fast it is

video game steering wheel, nice

Nice job thats a nice kart

@motorizedeverything wrote:

do u know how fast it is

Of course i do- I'm totally anal about doing my homework. I geared it deliberately for 21 Km/h (13MPH) to start with, so the kids could learn without killing themselves. After they got used to it, we changed sprockets and then ultimately yanked the governor. Top speed went from 21Km/h to 52Km/h (33MPH).

I got lucky with the steering wheel- it actually had a steel column inside so I was able to weld it to a boss on the steering column. It's very solid.

@Doc Sprocket wrote:

@motorizedeverything wrote:

do u know how fast it is

Of course i do- I'm totally anal about doing my homework. I geared it deliberately for 21 Km/h (13MPH) to start with, so the kids could learn without killing myself. After they got used to it, we changed sprockets and then ultimately yanked the governor. Top speed went from 21Km/h to 52Km/h (33MPH).

I got lucky with the steering wheel- it actually had a steel column inside so I was able to weld it to a boss on the steering column. It's very solid.

Well now I know that trick will work (I have the same wheel) but since you did it first, I won't copy ya Sweet kart!

Thanks fellas- and copy away! I don't own a patent on any of this...

That thing is sweet and nicely built, I had the same Logitech Wheel and pedal set.

@Thunderdivine wrote:

That thing is sweet and nicely built, I had the same Logitech Wheel and pedal set.

Having seen your build (as awesome as it is!) that's a hell of a compliment... Thanks!

@Doc Sprocket wrote:

Thanks fellas- and copy away! I don't own a patent on any of this...

Ok then Where I live, it's usually an unspoken rule that if someone does something first - nobody clones it In that case, I'll use the wheel on the recovery rat cart and scribe a little DS for who thought of it first (that we know of lol)

LOL... Nah- the way I see it, we're here to share ideas. If I did something you like, great! Not only am I happy that you want to do it, I will try to help you do it in any way that I can by posting pics, details, ideas- whatever!

Holy beautiful!

You could sell that design for a lot of money...

Wow that thing looks cool.
I might built one myself.

nice share doc i remeber when my dad still had his racing gokart with a raptor 3 engine it was a nice gokart he is 58 now an retired from the gokarts lol but when i had my old racing gokart going he jumped on it and hauled but down the road doing around 45-55mph the engine would rev to 7k but that was only for a short time then you would have to back it down to 6700 orelse the valves would start to float lol anywho nice kart and the steering wheel was very smart

Thanks for the props, fellas!

@Doc Sprocket wrote:

Thanks for the props, fellas!

I wonder if properly rewired, that the switches could act as a kill switch and/or start button?

I DID think about that. Start button would be easy, but being that they are all momentary switches, you can't use them for ignition on/off, or kill, lights etc- without using a latching relay (although it IS an option).

@Doc Sprocket wrote:

I DID think about that. Start button would be easy, but being that they are all momentary switches, you can't use them for ignition on/off, or kill, lights etc- without using a latching relay (although it IS an option).

Well sir, I will try it and let you know I don't see why they would not work for it either...

Neat use of the steering wheels, I have 3 of those. Don't think they would last on my mower though.

Nice clean build. Live or diff axle?

Don't think I have any pics of my kids speed mower, it's been scrapped for a couple of years.

Differential. I made that choice so it would have good handling manners for the kids while they learned. I may lock it this summer, as it had lousy traction in wet grass and loose gravel.

Heck ya, lock that diff, and start the drifting!