| There are so many choices these days in | | | | fixture the frame so that you can actually put it |
| home-made go karts: suspension go karts, flat frame | | | | together. Very often the whole design may be there, |
| go karts, full roll cage go karts...where to you start? | | | | but the actual, how to jig it and fixture it is a total |
| There are five main things to look for in a go kart | | | | enigma or difficulty. A good plan should show you |
| design and they are: | | | | step by step to put the go kart together. |
| 1. Go Kart Riders | | | | Fifth, a good go kart plan should be adaptable to a |
| 2. Center of Gravity | | | | full roll cage system so that maximum roll over |
| 3. Vertical Engine Vs Horizontal Mount | | | | protection is possible. Not that rolling over is the |
| 4. Frame Fixturing/Ease of Construction | | | | worst type go kart accident, but close to 75% of go |
| 5. Safety Features | | | | kart injuries are head and neck trauma due to a roll |
| The first place to start is ask the questions that | | | | over incident. A roll cage affords a measure of |
| really count: | | | | protection during a roll over. |
| First how many people are going to be riding in this | | | | These are the top five, there are others, but the |
| go kart? | | | | main thing to look for is simplicity, low cost, and "can |
| The first question is pretty important because it | | | | I actually follow these plans and make something?" |
| dictates the size of the go kart, how much | | | | Minor Advice About Your First Go Kart: |
| horsepower is needed, what gear ratio is needed and | | | | You might want to steer clear of suspension go |
| finally what size tires/brakes you will need to keep | | | | karts at the outset, because they are way too |
| this bad boy maneuverable. | | | | complicated. Bushings, and machined bolts usually |
| The second thing to look for is the center of gravity | | | | enter the picture and that means machine shop and |
| positioning. Very often this is overlooked and a simple | | | | hundreds of bucks on the back end. |
| moving of the front wheels forward (just because | | | | If this is your first go kart keep it simple, use a |
| you need the room) has disastrous effects on | | | | simple layout that is easily worked on, is safe and has |
| steering performance. Instead of turning, you end up | | | | good weight and handling performance. |
| going straight. | | | | And finally, finding parts for a go kart can be a |
| The mistake that most home made go kart builders | | | | challenge in and of itself. You can easily buy a plan |
| make is leaving out the center of gravity as a | | | | for 20 bucks, but what are you getting in that whole |
| concern. A good go kart plan should have the Center | | | | package? A bunch of plans, or a bunch of plans an |
| of Gravity already taken into account for, so that | | | | tips? Look for the best of both worlds where you |
| major changes to the final go kart are not needed. | | | | can find a plan, boat load of tech tips, design tips, |
| Third, a good go kart plan will also include the ability | | | | layout tips, where to buy parts tips and so on. |
| to put a vertical or a horizontal engine in the frame | | | | Just because you bought 5 go kart plans for 20 |
| work. The vertical engine layout can be a challenge, | | | | bucks doesn't mean a whole lot if you still can't figure |
| but the main issue is will it fit, and second (and this is | | | | out how to keep the clutch from smoking, or how to |
| probably the most important issue) can it be worked | | | | mount a vertical engine (from your grandpas old |
| on? | | | | tractor) to the go kart. |
| Fourth a good go kart plan will show you how to | | | | |