What do go-karts have, the whistle of the wind in the hull, the adrenaline rush when taking a curve? It feels like a sports car, high performance!
The problem is getting a cheap go kart.
We have heard the mantra
BuyUsed
Don’t let them abuse you
think smart
Don’t shop at Kmart
But there’s more than that
You can build your own cheap Go Kart out of everyday materials using scrap metal that can be found in lawnmowers.
The wheels, steering gear, motor, belts, pulleys, pedals, and even the seat can all be used to make a fantastic head-spinning go-kart.
As a side note, some would say take the entire driver and convert it, but I’d steer clear of that thought, first because the ride-on mower’s center of gravity (CG) is too high, making it prone to tipping and roll. very easily. Second, the transmission is heavy and not wide enough.
However, you can use the tractor parts combined with wooden or metal pipes (or angle irons) to make an exceptional gokart.
There are three elusive parts in the go kart and they are:
– The drive system
– The steering system
– The braking system.
Most of its cost comes from the transmission system, and in the case of the cheap go kart, it is not necessary.
When I say cheap, I don’t mean, “It works great for now, but it’s going to break anyway.” You can build a drivetrain that will last for years, not days, but won’t break the bank like conventional go-karts.
management system
The drive system I am referring to is the wooden pulley/belt drive system. It doesn’t matter if you have a vertical motor or a horizontal motor, as long as you have some kind of motor and a belt and a wheel.
As a side note too, a good understanding of drivetrain systems helps so you’re not burning the belts. But once you get past that, you have a reliable and inexpensive drivetrain.
Direction system
The steering system tends to be the most complicated part of the go kart because of what the steering gear is trying to do. The steering system attempts to follow a curved arc that will steer the go kart around a corner, however the relationship between the spinning wheels and the arc can lead to an understeer or oversteer situation. Also, unpredictable steering response and opposing tire wear can occur if the steering is not set correctly.
The steering setup is usually an Ackermann system or a bogey system (found on cars and small wagons). The Ackermann system requires expensive components, while the bogey system (if configured properly and safely) can be combined with everyday “cheap” materials.
Break system
The last most complicated part of a go kart is the braking system. Expensive karts usually use disc brakes, but a cheap kart may use a rubbing style brake. If set up correctly, a friction brake can last for years, not days. Most do not realize the immense loads required to actuate a brake. The braking force exerted on the mechanisms can reach thousands of pounds, so a good brake linkage is required. A simple stick does not cut it.
So to recapA cheap go kart can be made from everyday materials like wood and angle iron. There is no need to weld a frame, a sturdy wooden go kart can be built at almost no cost to you.
First, the use of a simple belt drive system is more than enough for an economical kart. Remember that when set up correctly (belts don’t burn), this is a go kart that will last for years, not days.
Second, a simple steering system can be developed using the bogey-style system. If you want to spend more money, an Ackermann system can be developed. The Ackermann is the most used system in karts today.
In third place, a simple but effective braking system that rubs against the tire can be developed. Keep in mind that go kart braking forces can be in the thousands of pounds, so a friction system with corresponding linkages must be developed.
In general, a cheap go kart can be built, under fifty dollars in most cases, using wood, old tractor tires, an old snow plow, tractor engine, lawn mower engine…etc, and a wood pile.