Hello All!

My name is Sam, and I'm only 16 so bear with me, have to buy everything with my own money. My build is based off a 1926 (I think) Parker GN special. I am starting to collect parts for my build. So far I have 2 wheels, some leaf springs, spindles, axle, pillow blocks, and hubs on the way. My car is roughly based on this car. The body will include some of my own twists. This isnt really a conventional cycle kart, first because Im using 22'' trailer wheels for more stability. Second I am using a very large hp engine, that will be up front. My choice so far is either a 16hp engine with tc, or a honda cb175 engine, if I can get it running. My plan is to stick it in the front and have multiple jack shafts taking the chain back. My body will be all aluminum. My grandfather has a freind that does sheet metal work, and my dad and I have enlisted his welding skills and sheet metal work. The car will only be a 1 seater...for now. The car will be 4' wide, and the wheel base will be right around the 8' area. I am going to build a mock up 2x4 frame in a while, so that way when I go to buy the channel, I know where to cut it and the right dimensions. Not much progress this summer, but when footballs over I can start working and more parts will come in!!!!!

Ive included some photos of GN cyclecars for refrence. If you have any questions, comments, or ideas please feel free to post! Thanks

Sam,

Sounds like an exciting build you are undertaking. 8' is a long wheelbase, almost a full scale car. Make sure you design and build it so you can upgarde the engine to more horse power as you may find you need it. Study up on the early drive trains some of the chain drive cars used. Maybe you could replicate the layout somewhat.

Looking forward to seeing you ideas and sketches as you work through it.
There are some awesome videos of the GN parker special racing on youtube.

Cheers,

David.

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David

1960 MGA 1600 Convertible,
Gold Coast, Australia.

Cant wait to see your progress. I'm very interested to see a front mounted engine. Instead of trailer wheels you should look into just using wheels from a different motorcycle. They are lighter and will use less HP to get them moving without sacrificing stability. Just a thought, I'm sure the trailer wheels are considerably cheaper and that counts for a lot.

Best of luck at keep working on it. An hour here and there adds up fast.

you can follow my build in the journals section: here I just started my Build this past Sunday (5 days from this post) and have made a ton of progress. I have a very demanding full time job and still able to get work done on the kart, its a lot of fun. set to be completed with fabrication by September 1st. (14 days)

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Build Journal

Sam,

Could you post a picture of the "22'' trailer wheels" not sure what you mean. Hope you don't mean truck wheels.

David

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David

1960 MGA 1600 Convertible,
Gold Coast, Australia.

Sam, I found some great photos of GN race cars. These are crazy cars.

GN Link

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David

1960 MGA 1600 Convertible,
Gold Coast, Australia.

Thanks guys for the comments! The reason I'm making the car so long is so I have plenty of room for a large engine, even if I upgrade. Also the reason I'm using trailer hubs is because the hubs bolt right on, I dont have to fidget with drilling holes. Personally, they look kinda vintage looking, but thats me. Also I will be painting them. Maybe on my next build I will used spoked wheels and maybe even use ford model a wheels The GN cycle cars are my favorite looking vintage style cars. Since I'm in the US I've never seen one, so It will be something different looking.

Also my bad I forgot to mention that 22'' is the O.D. sorry for bad pic, from phone.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/18/2012 12:04PM by arndtnew3.

Are you building the Kart at full scale? If so those wheels will definitely look really neat on the car. Make sure to post your build photos, sounds like it will be quite the monster!

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Build Journal

Sam,
I mentioned in another thread the possible use of space saver wheels. They are a really thin width of tyre and would be easy to bolt up to trailer hubs, unless you already have the wheels. Im just a bit concerned about the weight of the these trailers rims above. Maybe you need to plan the engine upgrade already.

David

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David

1960 MGA 1600 Convertible,
Gold Coast, Australia.

No, I am not building full scale. Very large though, I think they will look very nice on the kart too. David, yes I am skeptical about the weight of the wheels, each one weighs around 22-23lbs, not including hub. I already have two wheels. Yes by the time I have the wheels and hubs I will be looking at around 100 lbs. A regular go kart thats a two seater I looked at weighs around 450 lbs, without the two people. This kart was powered by a 150cc engine, and depending on the drivers and riders weight and the road conditions it should go around 35 mph. Also I was on DIY go kart forum (check it out sometime if you haven't, its a wealth of info on go karts) and a guys building buggy with something like 13'' rims, and full suspension, roll cage, and 2 seater. His kart had a 16hp engine and got going 45mph. I'm not saying mine will be less weight but I think 16hp should do it, or 20hp. I just have to gear it right so I get good speed but also good torque to haul it up hills. But if I do build it to heavy, I can always find a new engine, and I probably should find a larger engine right now. David what would you sugest for an engine, without knowing the weight of my kart? I agree with you that I need a larger engine. I am thinking of buying a beat up, but running bike off craigslist to take the engine off? My dream would be to get a B&S 20hp v twin, but I cant afford one.

Sam



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/19/2012 11:37AM by arndtnew3.

Oh I forgot to mention. My plan is to get a 16hp clone (I'm pretty sure the thing isnt 16hp out of box), then I'm going to mod it, straight pipe, airfilter, rejet carb etc. I'm not sure about the governor, Im skeptical of taking it out, if I do I will get a billet rod and new flywheel and maybe do someother upgrades in time. Hooked up to a torque converter I feel it should get the job done for now. Later on If I feel I need more power, I am going to get a twin cylinder engine, thats not a clone. Remember this thing only needs to do 35 to 40 to make me happy. Really I want 50 but pry not safe. This is where I'm at as of now. I talked to my Grandpa this weekend and he thought it sounded neat so he'll talk to his buddy about the metal work. My dads also pretty excited so I've got him on board 100%. Just where I stand and whats going on.

Sam

Sam,

Your GN sounds like it going to be a beast!
Cannot wait to see this coming together.
Because of the size and weight of this machine have you considered running a gearbox or similar. Otherwise you will have to gear it for either top end speed or quick acceleration.
Is there a ride on mower or similar with a high and low range drive you could adapt?

David

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David

1960 MGA 1600 Convertible,
Gold Coast, Australia.

Well its funny you ask, I spent the whole day looking around the net at go karts and different setups. I have thought of a lawnmower transaxle and engine. I used to have a JD rider that could do 30 but i crashed it. I wish I still had it I'd use it. I'll keep that in mind. If I do use a TC I will gear the sprockets for low end torque, but in between cause I want some speed too! haha. I'm going to do some talking on the DIY gokart forum about gearing with my car weight and wheels. They should be able to tell me if my ideas going to work as far as the engine goes.

Sam

Sam, Hows the build going?

David

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David

1960 MGA 1600 Convertible,
Gold Coast, Australia.

Very good actually! First off well start with the front end. My trailer hubs got here 2 weeks ago. Since then we have made lots of design changes. Ok the spindles that we are using are 3/4'' shaft and to short. The trailer hubs are for a 1'' shaft, so we will buy a 1'' bolt and cut off the 3/4'' bolt on the spindle shaft and then have a good welder at a shop weld on the 1'' bolt for us. I just dont trust my welding skills to weld on a 1'' bolt, and plus its a important part that needs to be very strong. Ok well after figuring all this out we have came to the conclusion that we will need a large motor. My dad actually said what are you thinkin for a motor, we cant use a little 1 cylinder harbor freight motor. I decided to bite the bullit and we'll go for a 16-20 hp vangaurd twin-cylinder. Yes, we are talking 1,000+ dollars and he said he'll only pitch in a couple hundred. But the bright side is I'm on my second interview for a farm and fleet job so cross your fingers. Back to the cart, we decided also what the hell, were building this big so lets just build it as a two seater. So theres an update. Front end is almost ready to be started. My guess is the chassis should be started next march??? Thats the plan after that the construction will be boling on parts. Then off to the body...Yikes.

Haha ya its a "cycle car" now this aint a kart

Sam

Hey guys I have an update. I have been working alot at farm and fleet, where I work. In the past couple months I have accomplished alot. Where I work we sell farm supplies and tools. I work monday nights and they are S.L.O.W. I work in the tire department and occaisonally I would venture over to tools and check out Hobart welders. Well finally last week I bought me a Hobart wire welder! Also earlier this week I ordered the remaining parts for my kart. They will get here next week. I'll finally get my mock-up 2x4 rolling chassis started around march when it warms up and collect the rest of my metal tools. My goal is to get a rolling chassis w/o engine before July. In the mean time its time to start designing my kart and get things finalized.

Sam

I finally got my engine. I decided to get a 13hp Harbor Freight, I got it for 280 and a deal I couldnt pass up! I read some reviews and I think its worth the money, it mostly gets good reviews. First I will run it stock and see if it has enough power. But if she does not I will remove the governor, rejet carb, high flow airfilter, straigt pipe, and new valve springs. I feel this engine should get the job done and its electric start

Ok Im all over the place but for the past month this car has got me thinkin. 1. Move the engine to the back and simplifies things. 2. Build a BAMF body Ok so I am ready to start building starting off with the front suspension. This car is the car I think I'm going to go with, Except with my own twists in color such as, dark green body and black rims. This car really has me thinking!
Sam

Sam, look for a busted snowmobile for the front suspension. Switch out the skis for spindles and you're on your way. You'll have to fabricate the uprights, but with careful measurements it can be done. I'm working on the full suspension package for my next one.

Sam,

Here is a base drawing of an Auto Union Cyclekart I found using google images for you to refer to.
I hope it helps you with your ideas.

David

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David

1960 MGA 1600 Convertible,
Gold Coast, Australia.

Thanks guys. The suspension has me stumped but I think I have a plan though. I'd rather fabricate it myself but if worse comes to worse I can always find some snowmobile parts. I'm not building my cycle kart to specs that everybody else uses. I have kind have set up my own specs haha. My engine will have engough power so I'll be fine. I've been fireing up my engine once in awhile to break her in, I can't wait to put a open header on her and mod her up. If I show you a picture of my mock up chassis you guys might kick me off the sight beacause its not a cycle kart anymore. From front axle to rear axle is roughly 8'. The lawnmower seat is a mockup and the engine will sit by the rear axle. I'm doing it my porch because I dont have room in my basement.

Sam

Well this was supposed to be a post of my engine running but it won't let me upload it so nevermind.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/2013 09:33PM by arndtnew3.

You have to upload videos to youtube and then post the link.