Karts to Go |

Part one of the go kart build i still need to do the steering and some other little tweaks

Duration : 0:6:3

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Go kart frames

Go karts are a kid’s best way to challenge their racing ability on any circuit. The best way to determine which kind of go kart frame you will need is have the person who is going to be driving it sit down and have you draw the frame around them. This will help ensure that they are comfortable while driving and riding; a chalk outline will help you with the measurements. A wider wheel base will make a more solid go kart frame, if you just want a street go kart then allow for a wheel base that give the driver more control. If you want a racing go kart then you will need to design a roll cage.

Cut out the tubing and lay it together, you will want some flexibility but make it solid so that one side does not suffer stress and cause the rest of the chassis to break apart. Use a tubing notch to make sure that all the pieces fit together and that it’s sturdy enough to hold an engine and steering wheel. Keep a solid center of gravity, the driver must be safe if you decide not to install a roll cage.

Once you have pieced the frame together you will need to weld each piece, if you have a metal inert gas welder then you can construct a sturdy solid frame. Once you have let all the welded pieces cool down have the person who is going to be driving sit in it and note any stress factors and correct them.

If you are new to go kart frames you can visit a local track and see how they are constructed, they might even have some broken frames that just need to be fixed and you could save some time and money that way. Building a go kart frame can be fun and if you want to see how the better ones are built many times the mechanics who service these fun machines will show just how it’s done. Keep in mind that the person who will be driving must be comfortable in the driver’s seat.

If you plan to race go karts then you will need to have a better understanding of the circuit and which type of chassis are the best. A hand built go kart might not be the best in this type of environment; you don’t want an accident with a poorly built cart. Check the rules before submitting your kart; the whole premise is to have fun but to be safe. Different frames are designed for different kinds of tracks. Dirt, asphalt, and concrete put stress on frames differently, make sure you have the right frame for the surface.

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