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go-kart with a diff?
smart51 - 30/10/07 at 05:20 PM

Inspired by the Peel P50 on Top Gear last week, I'm looking into the possibility of making a modern version using go-kart technology. Go-kart stuff looks great - and cheap. They all seem to have solid rear axles. Are there any with differentials? I want to keep the weight down to nothing so using a sierra diff it out

Where's the best place to get / find out about karting stuff?

zetec - 30/10/07 at 05:23 PM

No diffs fitted that I know of, solid rear end makes it handle like a ....Go kart.

speedyxjs - 30/10/07 at 05:41 PM

Iv been thinkig about that car all yesterday and today HOW COOL WAS THAT!!!

blakep82 - 30/10/07 at 05:49 PM

www.zoomkarts.com

GaryM - 30/10/07 at 06:19 PM

Most karts used for racing don't have diffs because of they way the chassis's work.

Unlike cars they rely on castor and weight transfer to unload (and sometimes lift) the inside rear wheel when they corner.

If you fitted a diff (well a non LSD anyway) then I don't think you'd get any drive whilst cornering.

Peteff - 30/10/07 at 07:20 PM

only had one wheel at the back

UncleFista - 30/10/07 at 08:54 PM

Quads have very small and lightweight diffs, could be used ?

jamesalx - 30/10/07 at 09:29 PM

Funny, I was thinking about a P50 too.

smart51 - 30/10/07 at 10:06 PM

A quad bike diff may be just the thing. Might be hard to get hold of. Kart parts are easy.

Do Karts not have front brakes? It took me a while to notice but they seem to only have a single rear brake. Do they not spin?

jamesalx - 30/10/07 at 10:09 PM

Peel Sports adition:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peel_Trident

MikeRJ - 30/10/07 at 11:26 PM

quote:
Originally posted by smart51
A quad bike diff may be just the thing. Might be hard to get hold of. Kart parts are easy.

Do Karts not have front brakes?


Depends on the race series. Most of the lower powered ones (i.e. Honda 4 stroke engined) only have rear brakes. You don't spend much time braking with them anyway. I've seen the properly quick ones with hydraulic front disks.

A quad diff or lawn tractor transaxle might be a possiblity. My uncle built a fantastic go cart with a big Tecumsa engine and transaxle from a lawn tractor, went like a rocket but changing gears was a bit tricky as there was no synchro and the clutch was just a tensioner on the V belt between engine and box, so used to drag a bit.

Watch out for the cheap chinese quads though, the quality of many parts is shocking. My dads boss bought onr for his youngest son to ride around fields on, and the rear diff housing developed a load of cracks and pretty much fell to bits.

jamesalx - 31/10/07 at 02:26 PM

Could make your own diff:



Looking at using a centrifugal clutch and a bike Derailleur for gears.