Homemade Wooden GoKart

This is the perfect budget gokart for people who love speed and danger. I don't think anyone sells anything like this ,so it's pretty much one of a kind. I Installed a Briggs And Stratton 5HP engine on it. It has 10" tires that have a 300lb loading weight each. We got it up to 21mph. Pretty good for a hunk of pine. I have to admit, though, it is pretty cool. Diclaimer: it is very dangerous, especially without brakes. All in all, it cost me around $185. Here's a link to a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLILV_xiJCM. I'VE GOT A NEW VIDEO: http://youtu.be/uaHUD5VmzxM

Step 1 Frame

Essentially, it is made out of pine, which is light(ish). You want a main board stretching from front to back for support. The seat is up to you. It could be a plastic chair with the legs cut off. The engine mount should be sturdy

Comments

[ChewyCov]

Wow great guide! I remember a few years ago me and a friend were planning on making our own go kart (we were 15 at the time and stupid) and we would have killed for a guide like this! I'm hoping to give this a go in the summer!

[ashwinlit]

Video?

[hunter13]

Under the first picture is a link.

[Rteen]

How much did the engine cost? Was that the bulk of the money? Any ideas on how to make brakes?

[hunter13]

I got the engine at an auction for 60$. Perhaps bike brakes, spoon brakes, or something that clamps around the sprocket.

[codydean]

sweet i got an 18 hp briggs but its vertical shaft :/ ill figure something out.

[davehart]

slap a 5 speed Tecumseh transmission(found on most mtds) under it and connect your engine to it with a love joy coupling(can get them at some farm stores). That's what i did at least...

[kristianhardeman]

dit is cool ik ga er een maken

[cheapasdirt]

I don't what language you typed that in but I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering what exactly it is you said.

[canwedoityeswecan]

at least whomever posted in their native language wasn't offensive to anyone, and no words were left out as in your brilliant remark "I don't what...." I believe the word would be "I don't KNOW what...." would have been read more accurately, had it been written accurately. No you are not the only one wondering what exactly is is that the person said. I did wonder, but looked it up, the same as you could have, instead of insulting someone with offensive remarks. What in the world would possess you to be such an ignorant fool by typing what you did? Has nothing to do with the subject, moron.

[arnoutdejans]

He is from Belgium (as i do) or the Netherlands. He saids something like:
"Wow, how cool, gonna build one my own" ;)

[shdude666]

how does the throttle work?

[hunter13]

The right handle moves a rod that goes directly to the throttle on the engine.

[davehart]

My cousing and i made a go cart like this, except for it is ALOT bigger, no engine, but it has a suspension and brakes. Its realy heavy lugging up the hill but really fun! Oh ya, and i'm 14

[hunter13]

That's amazing. I would advise you to add an engine in the back. It wouldn't take much!

[davehart]

Ive actually been thinking about putting one on it lately, a have a 5 speed lawnmower transmission that would bolt right up and an engine that i could mount on the bed.

[hunter13]

Awesome.

[davehart]

next photo

[davehart]

Well, i got the engine and steering wheel on it. It doesnt have a clutch so it shifts like a rock. Still, really fun and fast. sorry about the bad pictures, it was at night.

[hunter13]

Dude! That's a great gokart. Keep it up.

[tonycabus]

Where's the brake?!?!?!

[cheapasdirt]

Your feet suffice I assume. I've stopped more than one speeding go cart using only my feet.

[vov35]

haha, get it, you said brake...


no really, there is none.

[hunter13]

What I really should do is put an electric motor on it, a car battery, a solar panel, and perhaps a little something to control my speed:)

[professorzed]

I think you could add 'spoon' brakes if you wanted. Well any kind of brakes really. Spoon brakes are pretty primitive.

Basically, a 'spoon brake' is like putting your foot on the wheel and applying pressure with the sole of your shoe until the wheel stops. Instead of your own foot/ boot though, you would be stepping on a pedal which would be pushing a big chunk of rubber against the wheel.

In your case, maybe a 2 x4 underneath and behind the seat which presses against the wheel when a foot pedal is pressed down. You'd have to screw on a chunk of rubber to the 2 x 4 such as an old car tire or something. Boot heels would work well as brakes too of course. I guess if you really wanted it to look 'Fred Flintstone'/ Little Rascals' you could just use the whole boot.

Try to put the brake pedal on the left side of the go-cart, since most people are intuitively familiar with this as the brake position from driving cars.

[hunter13]

Good point, I should put brakes on sometime.

[hunter13]

I partially shredded the soul of my left boot trying to stop it while going down the road.

[voyageur10]

My thoughts exactly! A set of spoon brakes and this thing would be top notch!

Awesome go-kart, thanks dude!

[voyageur10]

Thanks for this! Cool project.

[jwolski1]

Great project! I've wanted to build something like this for years.

To everyone complaining about features and safety: I did things way more dangerous when I was a kid than to drive something like this. Parents today are obnoxiously over protective. You can't wrap your kids in bubble wrap at all times and there is nothing wrong with bumps, bruises, and road rash. Just be happy that your kids are outside playing and not glued to the TV.

I have 3 young kids and would let them play with this under close supervision... although i think my wife wouldn't. :)

[hunter13]

My kids aren't doing ANYTHING right now... actually, I don't have kids (I'm fifteen). I see your point though.

[jwolski1]

Well, I'm 34. So, you are a kid to me. :) Have fun with the kart!

[Kasm279]

Try using a lever that pushes against the rear sheel(s) for a brake!

[hunter13]

That will rip the tire though.

[Kasm279]

Not if it pushes flat against the tyre, I suppose I should have specified that. (i.e. with O the wheel and | the lever) |O or when pushed, /O.

[myles136]

RWD cars are one wheel drive....no problem....so it torques to one side....so what!

[hunter13]

Really annoying.

[myles136]

Northern Tool and Equipment has Go-Cart Differential axles in their catalog and on-line. Copy and Paste this link.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_35768_35768

[joeofloath]

For easy braking, maybe find a cable operated clutch and use engine braking? Won't stop you fast, but you'll be able to slow down faster than by freewheeling!

[hunter13]

I did do some engine braking while going down a hill. It nearly skidded the tires.