Cheap Go Kart: Spend Less Than $200 For A Head Turner
AutoWhat do karts have, the whistling of the wind in the helmet, the rush of adrenaline when taking a curve? 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 lawn mowers.
The wheels, steering gear, motor, belts, pulleys, pedals and even the seat can all be used to make a fantastic kart that will turn heads.
As a side note, some would say take the entire rider and convert it, but I’d steer clear of that thinking, first because the ride-on mower’s center of gravity (CG) is too high, making it prone to tipping over. 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 iron) to make an outstanding gokart.
There are three elusive parts in the go kart and they are:
– The drive system
– The steering system
– The braking system.
Most of your cost comes from the drive 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 drive system that lasts for years, not days, but doesn’t break the bank like conventional go-karts.
drive system
The drive system I’m referring to is the wood pulley/belt drive system. It doesn’t matter if you have a vertical motor or a horizontal motor, as long as you have some sort of motor and a belt and wheel.
As a side note too, a good understanding of the drive systems helps you not be burning the belts. But once that happens, you have a reliable and inexpensive drive system.
Direction system
The steering system tends to be the most complicated part of the go kart because of what the steering gear tries to do. The steering system attempts to follow a curved arc that will steer the go kart into a corner, however the relationship between the caster 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 carriages and small wagons). The Ackermann system requires expensive components, while the bogey system (if set up 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. Usually expensive karts use disc brakes, but a cheap kart may use a rubbing style brake. If set up correctly, a friction brake can last for years, instead of days. Most do not realize the immense loads that are required to actuate a brake. The braking force exerted on the mechanisms can be in the thousands of pounds, so a good brake linkage is required. A simple stick, does not cut it.
So to recap, a cheap go kart can be made out of everyday materials like wood and angle iron. 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 a cheap 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 widely used system in karts today.
In third place, a simple but effective braking system can be developed that rubs against the tire. Keep in mind that go kart braking forces can be in the thousands of pounds, so a friction system with appropriate linkages must be developed.
In general, a cheap go kart, less than fifty dollars in most cases, can be built using lumber, old tractor tires, an old snowplow engine, tractor engine, lawnmower engine…etc, and a wood pile.