Since I have not been posting any real progress, I thought it might be refreshing to see a Cycle Kart project that is actually getting somewhere. Don, a commenter on CycleKarting.com sent me several images of his progress, with more pictures on the way. He has really done a great job with execution and I will look forward to seeing how his Cycle Kart evolves.
Be sure to click the images for larger versions.
Motor Mount Detail
Cycle Kart Suspension Detail
Pedals and Steering Detail
Body and Steering Wheel
Hub mount with through bolts
Hub Attached
#1 by SteveC at February 24th, 2010
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The rear hubs are interesting. I’ve not seen it done that way before. I think on the Stevenson’s karts, the gokart hubs fit *inside* the honda hubs (after grinding them down to fit), and so the through-bolts would not have been as close to the edges of the honda hubs as they are here, and the threaded end of the bolts would have been on the outside face of the Honda hubs, not the inside face of the gokart hubs (which I assume will be there, but obviously, not shown.)
#2 by Don Bledsoe at February 24th, 2010
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These are studs welded to the brake drum so that the outside of the wheel looks the same as the other three wheels. I welded the studs on with the hubs submerged in water so as not to melt the aluminum.
#3 by admin at February 24th, 2010
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I updated the post with the picture of the hub attached which should help clear things up.
#4 by SteveC at February 24th, 2010
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Holy crap… underwater welding? You’re hard core, Don!
#5 by Mike Stevenson at February 25th, 2010
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Nice work, although the photo of Pedals And Steering Details shows you’ve cut away the top box-section entirely at the front! You no longer have a full box-section up where the front axle loads are, but then again the loads are distributed all over the place pretty well and I imagine it’ll work fine. Too bad you didn’t leave the front corners of that panel in place, but otherwise high marks for nice-looking work!
Mike
#6 by Mike at February 25th, 2010
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I would never have pictured making the hub this way. I am due to work on my rear hubs next week. I am going to take a second look at my plans. This sure looks a lot easier than what I had in mind… absent underwater welding. I don’t mind having the bolt heads on the outside as it will look better than my other options.
I currently have my front wheels and ct 90 brakes at a machine shop where they are experimenting on machining a bearing opening in the brake housing and mounting them. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will end up with working front brakes from the original honda. I think that the defining issue will be the effect of any bearing slop on contact at the grove where the brake housing runs inside he wheel.
#7 by Don Bledsoe at February 26th, 2010
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I had to cut away the front top box section above the peddles so I could get my feet in there. I plugged the bottom bearing hole in the hub and then submerged the hub in water, the water didn’t get into the area I was welding. I’m not THAT good.
#8 by admin at February 26th, 2010
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I still affirm your skills Don, thanks for sharing the tip!
#9 by Dave at April 22nd, 2012
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Nice work Don, have you thought of branching the engine exhaust into the false one so it looks more authentic??? Just a thought.
#10 by Brian Goldman at April 7th, 2013
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Don
Have you seen much interest in the Houston area. I think its a great project. Leukemia has caused me to give up SCCA and Vintage racing but I can envision a group of these on a track like Grandsport in Hitchcock. What a kick that would be. What is your feel for the cost to build a car?
#11 by Josh at April 8th, 2013
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Don,
I haven’t heard of anyone from the Houston area yet, so I think you should start things up there. I expect you could build one for less than $2500, depending on how you source your parts.
Keep me posted if you do start one and good luck1