Kids Go Kart Rebuild

A little buggy project I've been working on recently. It started out as an old Manco two seater rigid frame single wheel drive, but it was just way too rough to drive around anywhere but pavement. The transformation began from early on. First I experimented with a swingarm with motor mounted to the axel on the rear only, then I tried single a-arms up front. I ran into issues with bump steer, poor ackerman angle and sprung weight issues with the motor. I eventually took some old TRX450R a-arms I had lying around, bought some banshee spindles, blaster shocks and rebuilt the front. I also went from pivot arm to an actual rack and pinion. The rear also went from motor mounted swing arm to frame mounted. Yet another trial and error was trying the original band brake to buying and modifying a cheap hydraulic disk setup.
This latest rebuilding was in response to a broken jackshaft. I bought a new torque converter to give it some more top end speed while retaining good low end torque, but decided it was time to build a full roll cage and add seatbelts if I do that for the kids. The new frame was built and a much more beefy jackshaft setup constructed.
I still have to finish a few things up, but I finally got out today and took it for a spin with the kids. After freezing their little fingers off, I figured I'd have my boy run a quick video of some tooling around and show you the suspension. It's still a bit weak on power, so I'll be looking to modify this engine next starting with removal of that govenor..:)
This little kart/buggy building has been a fun little project. After I mod the motor a bit and finish up some welding, I think I may skin this and call it done. It's easy enough to drive for my 8 year old and actually myself, my 8 year old, and my 5 year old can fit and go for a ride....building your own creation and going for a ride with the kiddos in that.....priceless!

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• dune
• buggy
• kids
• go
• kart
• 6.5
• torque
• converter

[yusky03]

So this is what you have been doing the last 3 months. ^_^

[Martinm210]

@yusky03

Yeah, that and a new job that pretty much eats up most of my free time I used to have. Still working on the buggy though, looking to put a slightly larger motor in the mini. The 6.5HP motor was ok, but it needs a bit more especially if we're going to take it to the dunes.

[korywulfekuhle]

could you please tell me what parts you all used for your jack shaft other than the sprockets? I am trying to build one for my kart as well. Also, where did you get the materials? Thanks a bunch!