Custom Kart

Posts: 11 · Newbie Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 11 Pictures: 0

Apparently I have been posting in the wrong section. I somehow did not see this section haha.

I am building a go kart in my welding lab class and want to go with a full independent suspension. I need help figuring out how to make the control arms. I am going with a double control arm setup since have 5 points (both control arms and the shock mount) compared to 3 (mcpherson strut setup) seems much stronger. I am going to be using square tubing. I want to say it is 1" by 1", but it might be slightly smaller. I won't know for sure until Monday since that is when the summer course starts up.

Furthermore, I need ideas on what shocks to use. I was thinking used ATV shocks, but I know nothing about€ ATVs. My goal is to keep the budget under $200, but as time goes on, I am seeing that as harder and harder a goal. The steel costs me absolutely nothing, so I am lucky there. Here is a quick sketch (using paint) of my idea for the basic frame. I already have the center rectangular piece welded up.

Posts: 11 · Newbie Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 11 Pictures: 0

Can anyone help me out please?

Posts: 2640

when it comes to shocks on a buggy, there are a lot more factors you need to consider...

1. Total weight of buggy
2. Suspension travel desired
3. Suspension angle
4. Suspension/shock length
5. Spring rate

With those factors in mind, and many more, you can find a really nice set of tuned shocks for your machine. You could find a pair of 18" arctic cat shocks for around 150 to 200, but the stock springs are only 90lbs... A stock chinese buggy most often comes with 200lb shock springs... They are hard, but do very well to support the weight of the machine.

My buggy has totally custom front shocks... Arctic cat ZR800 front shocks, af-coils 150lb 1-7/8"W by 10"L springs, and exhaust reducers from a local parts store to make sure the springs fit snugly.

The rear shocks I used are from a yamaha blaster, stock...

My buggy weighs over 700lbs with just me in it... I still have more tuning to do with the rear shocks....

you have alot to consider!!!

john Very Happy

Posts: 11 · Newbie Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 11 Pictures: 0

Yea, I knew there were factors involved, but I was just hoping that MAYBE there would've been a good all around shock that coulda been used.

So basically I should make up my control arms, and mount them to the frame. Then fab up the shock mounts and figure out where I want them to sit at ride height, and figure out how long the maximum travel will be. Does that make sense and would that be about the best way to go about it?

Any ideas on fabing up control arms though? I'd prefer not to buy them used because I want to try and build as much as possible myself.