Building a Go Kart...

Site Subscriber Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 569

Ok, I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to modify a Kettler kart with an electric motor from a Washing Machine, or a car starter motor.

Ther Kettler kart already has a decent frame to build on and the idea is to cut the ends of the cranks off and weld a motor to the end of them to provide the turning force and then securly mount the motor to the Kart frame.

Such as in the diagram below:

To control the speed I was thinking of a using a light dimmer switch as this can control the voltage and thus the speed of the motor.

Here's an Idea of the what sort of washing machine motor I'm thinking of using:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WASHING-MACHINE-MOTORS-for-all-MAKES-MODELS_W0QQitemZ7553819315QQcategoryZ20714QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Or the starter motor from a big diesel engine, such as a land Rover etc.

Also to power it I was thinking of using a 12v car battery or a truck battery.

So, will this work? Or blow to pieces?. Any ideas?.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

won;t last long battery that is and you will need a better way of regulating speed.

Site Subscriber Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 569

Ok, roughly how long will the battery last?.

Any other recommendations of controlling the speed?

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

saw this on OcUK, dont rate the idea much personally. Will just be like a childs toy, no power for anything faster than a brisk walk

Site Subscriber Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 4722

i say get a proper go kart..

much more fun..

or a beetle frame..and make a proper dune buggy from it!

much much much better.

we made one ages ago in the spare time. i have some pics if anyone wants me to put them up..

also have vids of me doing doughnuts in it too.

Site Subscriber Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Posts: 350

ive got a proper go kart axle if anyone is interested?? Wink

solid axle (no diff) but comes with bearing + carriers, and the drive sprocket. no brake parts.

Site Subscriber Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 569

Well, thinking it over and have had a change of plan. Instead of an electric motor I'm going to use something like a strimmer motor or a smallish lawnmower engine, you know, one of the all in one jobbies.

Can then mount that on top of the drive system and then have a chain going to the cut down cranks Laughing

Also a petrol engine gives more 'modding' posibilities Wink

Site Subscriber Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 4722

on a plastic go kart?!?

Site Subscriber Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 569

Yeah ok...

Well anyway, found some tasty 12v motors for a decent price. So watch this space.

Retroholic Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 5685

Just you wait till the golf cart is unveiled...

Site Subscriber Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Posts: 350

been planning to make a go-kart type thing for years! ive got the rear axle, a steering wheel and a bucket seat so far Laughing

also got 2 and a bit mobility-carts. one is complete and the rest are bits n pieces Wink

i take after my dad! start something, but dont finish it for a while Laughing

Level 3 User Joined: 02 Jan 2005 Posts: 77

my mates dad made a sort of gocart, with some old lamposts cut up and welded into a frame, then an old rover v8 bolted to it! lol, said it kept trying to lift the front wheels and flip. i never got to see it run cus the engine seized just saw it rusting away in the corner.

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 395

Best and cheapest option is to put a motorbike engine in it. Loads of scrap bikes on ebay, lots more choice, as powerfull as you want. Plus it will already be fitted with sprocket and you will have gears and clutch aswell. Unless you just go for an auto moped engine.