starting on it tonight. picked up a 27 horsepower twin cylender briggs engine for free. parting out a 6 speed bolens to fix my rider and donate parts.
ill hopefully have the frame roughed out by the end of tonight. its going to be quick and dirty at this stage for proof of concept. after i know it works, ill make it nice and well engineered. pretty much rough draft/final draft.
anyway, using a 3/4 shaft on the transaxles, with a woodruff key. ill need to lengthen the axles for my wheelbase, but what im unclear of is what wheels/attachemnt style the other guys are using. my google-fu has proven ineffective yet again.
also, im trying to figure out how to get a clutch in this thing. in thinking a centrifugal like on a go cart, but dont know what ones are good, what size to get, etc. the skagg mower that the engine came off of had a 5 inch pulley, and if im thinking right, id want a bigger pulley up front for more top end. i also thought about retaining a drivebelt arrangement, with a clutch pedal that releases tension on the belt like a riding mower uses.
what says the hive?
also, i didnt know if this should be in the sprockets, off topic, or grm. i put it here, because if all goes according to plan ill take this thing out to rallycrosses for exhibbition/giggles. or bring it to the challenge for my pit car....
overall plan is 29 ford roadster pickup body with a track nose, 50-60mph top speed, 5-6 inches ground clearance, and lights.
michael
Nothing to add, except SWEET!!!!
kreb
SuperDork
1/3/14 5:41 p.m.
I sez AWESOME!
However...You speak of mechanicals but not brakes, suspension or chassis. I think that you're going to completely overwhelm the "book" design which could make it very dangerous. With 25 HP on tap, I'd want front AND rear suspension, 4 wheel brakes, and heavier components to start. I'd throw in a wider track as well. It's a slippery slope to go from putt, putt to zoom, zoom.
Make it a Reverse Trike! Like a Morgan. (Zoom Zoom)
In reply to Dusterbd13:
What is the shaft size on the Briggs? 3/4 or one inch prob. Karting since 1958 and can help..c
Ps-wheels with 3/4 bore, with key way. Most kart wheels have pinch bolt retainers, can also use lock collars on each sides spacing tubes.
Most axles are 1inch, for vintage karts, 1 1/4 for newer karts and up for shifters etc. search for 3/4 hubs, try American Power Sports, yard kart parts.
Be careful on pavement if there is no differential action...vehicle will greatly under steer. This is offset on race karts with reverse set king pins/spindles for caster to progressively unload inside rear tire as more turn in is added via steering wheel.m
I have 1 1/4" kart axles, bearing carriers, and hubs 50% off new
jmc14
Reader
1/3/14 6:30 p.m.
Sounds like a fun project.
i had a nice long post, then my computer farted and lost it.
shortened for the sake of its late.
no actual progress tonight, die to sick wife/grumpy kid
general dimensions: 100 inch wheelbase, 40 inch track width.
fixed rear axle from bolens tractor with differential. may turn into full swingarm rear engine drivetrain for suspension purposes.
front solid axle, center pivot.
want to 4 wheel drum or disc brakes.
the 6 speed may be out, due to packaging. the bolens used an expanding/contracting pulley arrangement that is quite bulky.
need to figure out steering. lawnmower parts are almost a perfectly vertical steering shaft, which may prove problematic for packaging and comfort.
output on briggs is 1 1/8
like to have 18 inch tall tires if possible. go with spoked wheels for the theme.
didn't get any frame built, need to go pick up more 1x3 box tubing.
Michael
