Homemade Wooden GoKart

by hunter13

193K336120

Intro: 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

STEP 2: Front


Next, install the wooden front axle. I used u-bolts to clamp the metal axle (the wheels are attached to it) to the wood.

STEP 3: Engine

I mounted the engine to the frame.

STEP 4: Rear Wheels


Next, I went to Lowe's and got a 3/4" steel rod for my axle. I inserted bearings into wood and slid the axle through. Then, I put adjustable retaining rings on the inside of each bearing to keep the axle from slipping.

STEP 5: Drive System


I bought a sprocket and a Max Torque clutch and a #35 chain. The sprocket is actually bolted to the hub.

STEP 6: Throttle and Steering


I just installed a simple throttle handle directly connected to the throttle. The steering handle gives you better control than your feet do.

120 Comments

ckeith3 12 years ago

This is awfully unsafe. Something of this simple of a design, made out of wood, will not last long.

Avatar_I_Am 12 years ago

Safe? We don't need no stinkin' safe!
Who cars if it doesn't last, it is cheap enpugh that if you wreck it, just re-build!
I hva enough scrap wood to make three or four... not enough spare engines, though.
Cool. I LIKE it!

somedude14 4 years ago

so you can rebuild yourself, your that cheap

interesing....

Avatar_I_Am 4 years ago

It has nothing to do with cheap, it has to do with ability, and at least I am intelligent enough to be able to rebuild something, and not sarcastic of others that "can do".

weldboi 5 years ago

i dont care im a 11 year old with a lighter do you think i care

grahamgamer2447 7 years ago

What do you expect it is made of wood it is ment for fun not ¨Saftey¨

curvy77 10 years ago

working on something similar, but with a different propulsion system. how did u arrange the steering and where did the brakes make contact? the wheel or axel?

HA10 8 years ago

There are no brakes

davehart 12 years ago

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 12 years ago

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

davehart 12 years ago

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.

somedude14 4 years ago

nice
what lawnmower did you get it from

#iam14aswell

davehart 12 years ago

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 12 years ago

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