This is how we built a go-kart using readily available parts and a lawn mower engine. This is a very simple design built with junk yard scavenged parts mostly. Remember web uilt this as kids, the dimensions would alter somewhat for bigger riders.
You will need:
- 30 feet ¾” water pipe
- Welder
- 3x4 feet aluminum sheet
- 4 feet ½ mild steel bar
- 3 ½ feet ¾” hardened steel bar
- 4x go Kart wheels
- Braking assembly
- Steering wheel
- Lawn Mower engine
- Lawn Mower Gas tank
- 4x bushes or wheel bearings
- Axle mounts/brackets
- Frame A Get ¾ inch water pipe approx 40 feet long. Cut into 2x6 feet and 2x3 feet pieces, join the corners with pipe elbow joints and weld in place.
- Attach a 4 1/2’ x 3’ aluminum sheet to bottom side of Frame A.
- Frame B Take a 3 feet pipe and join by elbow two 1 ½ feet pieces to the end and weld in place, then weld this frame 2 ½ feet from one end of frame A.
- Get 4 feet of 1/2 inch mild steel bar and drill a 5/8” hole into the front pipe and attach the bar from the hole to the to Frame B and attach a steering wheel to the end.
- Attach the front wheels via stubby axels pivoting on points allowing them to turn, thern weld an angle to the steering shaft and hook this to the stubby axles via a universal type joint, and attach front wheels and brake assemblies, either with hand or foot brake.
- Use a ¾ “ hardened steel bar for the rear drive axle and attach it below Frame A at the rear. You may use bushes or bearings, depending on how much you wish to spend, and attach rear wheels.
- Weld a large bicycle cog to the centre of the rear axle and ensure that there is sufficient clearance for the cog to spin freely to drive the axle.
- Get two bucket seats from a junk yard and weld them in place behind the steering wheel in a comfortable place to sit.
- Frame C Join 5 x 3 feet pieces of pipe by elbows and weld 3 of them then attach by welding to Frame A directly behind the seats. Frame C will be braced to Frame B and backwards to Frame A using the remaining 2 pieces.
- Use a lawn mower engine which has a small bicycle sprocket on the drive shaft and attach it to Frame A by welded and bolted supports so that it is aligned to the cog on the rear drive axle. Attach the throttle cable to a pedal for an accelerator.
- Attach a gasoline tank to Frame C above the height of the engine and use tubing for the gasoline to flow to the carburetor.
- Attach a bicycle chain between the engine and the rear axle in a similar way as you would do with a bicycle, and fill the gasoline tank.
- Prime the engine and have someone push you and off you go in your Go-Kart.
