Go-kart Help Please

[TinCan13]

I want to build a Go-kart, but I have lots of questions. Answer as many as you can, with detail, cause i'm a noob.
Details:
Wooden Frame, I would have an edited version of this, maybe widen the space between the wheels, and longer if necessary. I would like 8-12 hp, maybe 12 v and I would over volt it to 24.
I can take care of the seat padding.

Is a gas or an electric engine better? (id rather have electric)
Is gas safe?
How do I control the throttle?
How do I get the battery power to the engine?
How do I connect the engine to the wheel?
What is a good wheel? (good treads are preferred)
Can I use a steering wheel instead of a lever, and have that lever be the break?
Where is it legal to drive, sidewalks, roads, parks, and other?
How long should it be?
Could I install a seatbelt?
What is an estimated cost?

 

[Eximo]

Probably on the wrong website for these kinds of questions.

Why build instead of buy? There are plenty of pre-built go-karts and even kits out there to be had. Just a quick search for used ones returned a few electric karts for as little as $125.

Building one from scratch will require some serious engineering, and from your questions I think that might be beyond what you can do for now. Suspension and steering are serious safety concerns.

Gasoline go-karts are mass produced and they are fairly safe. Engines do tend to get warm and it is possible to burn yourself on the exhaust (same is true of motorcycles)

You absolutely should install a seatbelt and a roll cage. Wood is not an ideal material.

Throttle would depend on your engine type, but generally they are pedal controlled (throttle to the carburetor, or a resistor set for electric, similar to a golf cart)

Go-karts are only legal on private property and approved tracks. The majority do not pass the highway safety act.

 

[prit87]

http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Go-Kart this is the best i can do ....

 

[boosted1g]

Eximo hit it pretty square on the head.

Wood is a bad material for go kart as it wont stand up to any wrecks or any rough terrain.
The kind of quesitons are asking shows that you lack the mechanical knowledge to build your own g-kart. Now everyone starts somewhere, i knew almost nothing about cars when I was 20 and 5 years latter I knew how to change out just about any single part on my car and fully understood how everything worked together.

 

[USAFRet]

As someone who built yard go-karts back in the dark ages as a pre-teen:

Wood frame - no, not even a little bit.
After that...your questions are all over the place, and show a serious lack of the basics.

Where, specifically, will you be riding this?
What do you know about caster, camber, toe-in, kingpins?
"How do I connect the engine to the wheel?" That depends completely on what the engine is.
Can you field strip an engine, either gas or electric, and put it back together so it runs?

We can't teach you 'how to build from square one' in here.
My suggestion? Find one on craigslist. Buy it. Analyze it. See what works. Learn the why and how.

 

[wip99gt]

I always have used gas engines when building go carts. You can find cheap rototillers with good 5hp engines on them and that's what I've usually done. Although the one I just started is getting a 15hp honda engine because I found a mint one for $20. I agree that wood is a bad idea. I'll use steel tubing and weld a frame together. Mounting the engine to a wheel is easy, and I recommend just spinning one wheel with the motor as it is just easier and it works. There are a few ways to do it, look it up on google. I just use a small clutch and chain because it's easy and is tough.

 

[USAFRet]

I just use a small clutch and chain because it's easy and is tough.

Whatever you do, do not use a bicycle chain. 45 years later, I still have the scar...

 

[wip99gt]

Hahaha. Yeah that sucks. You need something that can handle a bit more torque. With my new cart I'm building I'm using an old sled clutch and belt setup. No chains on this one.

 

[USAFRet]

Hahaha. Yeah that sucks. You need something that can handle a bit more torque. With my new cart I'm building I'm using an old sled clutch and belt setup. No chains on this one.

Hey...I was 12. The cart cost me $5, engine included.

 

[wip99gt]

Reminds me of my attempt to build a hang glider at around that age. Painful lesson learned there.