subject: How To Build A Go Cart Frame [print this page] At first when go carts came into being they were built out of board and were known as push carts because the lone method to get them to go was if someone pushed them. These days though go carts use powerful 2 and 4 stroke engines and get up to speeds as great as 160mph. However, the carts intended for the general public such as at amusement parks are limited to around 15mph for safety reasons.
Go carts are often used to introduce young drivers to racing. Also to practice for real racecar driving because go carts increase a drivers reflexes, precision, control and decision-making proficiency.
There are several different types of go carts available, a single seater or 2 seater, and there are numerous diverse outlines. If you realize a go cart is something you would desire to own you may purchase one from a manufacturer or if you have an idea of what you are doing you can construct one. If you choose to try constructing one here are some things you will need.
Required Tools
Chop saw
Chalk
Drill
Welding torch (optional)
Required Materials
Bolts and screws
Metal tubing
Gussets
inch steel rod
2 bushings
Washers
Cotton pins
3/16 inch steel plate
inch steel rod
Instructions
To decide on the dimensions of your go cart, you will need to, sit on the ground and use a piece of chalk to draw the outline of your legs as they might be in the go cart. So, that you have an estimation of the size the go cart needs to be. If you are not the person who will be riding the go cart, have the actual rider or someone near in size aid you with the outline. You may additionally use the width of the seat or seats to decide on the width the go cart will have to be.
With the chop saw cut up the metal tubing to make your frame. Use the drill to drill holes in the needed parts of the metal tubing and then use the bolts and screws to link the various parts of metal tubing. If you are useful with a welding torch you may weld the sections together as opposed to using bolts and screws. Use gussets in all the corners to reinforce the frame.
When you have the general outline of your go cart frame, it is time to commence putting in the additional places to keep the engine in position, the steering and braking kits, the wheels, the seat and the roll bar if you are including one. Weld the steel plate to the back end of the frame to work as an engine mount later on, mark and drill out the holes necessary for bolting the engine in position. Use the inch steel rod and bushings to make your axle; push washers and cotton pins through drilled holes in the axle to keep it in position.
For the steering wheel use the inch steel rod for linkage. Take as much time as needed to get the proper steering tilt and front-wheel vertical since the steering is obviously a extremely critical element of the car.
Tips and Warnings
If you possess no prior awareness of what a go cart frame should look like you have to research it and maybe even buy construction plans or you will not know where to begin.
Your go cart ought to rest about 12 inches off the ground; the lower it is the better the center of gravity will be.
Any part of the process you are not familiar with or at ease about doing, bring it to a professional because any slight blunder may be problematic later on.