Lifan powered gokart

gbelcik · 04-15-2010, 09:00 PM

Hey guys... I had a quick question to pick your brains... i am building a suspension gokart with a 5spd lifan engine i pulled out of a motorcycle and i am currently stuck on the motor mount.
I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to make this motor adjustable so i can tighten up the chain to the axle. Appreciate the help

Greg
gtrail78624@gmail.com

waynev · 04-15-2010, 10:28 PM

Your best bet might be a good chain tensioner, you should be able to get within a link in the chain length and let the tensioner do the rest, if not you will have to make a mount for the motor and a plate on the chassis that it can slide on, then use an adjuster bolt to keep the motor in place.

Weldangrind · 04-16-2010, 02:19 AM

Welcome!

I'm not exactly sure how you're building your kart based on the photos, but I'd love to hear more.

One way to maintain constant tension throughout the suspension travel is to mount the engine on the swingarm. It's been done before.

waynev · 04-16-2010, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Welcome!

I'm not exactly sure how you're building your kart based on the photos, but I'd love to hear more.

One way to maintain constant tension throughout the suspension travel is to mount the engine on the swingarm. It's been done before.

It looks like the engine will be mounted on the swingarm as those pics show, look closely W&G, that pic shows the rear swingarm of the buggy and the lifan still in the motorcycle chassis.

katoranger · 04-16-2010, 08:15 AM

I would go with the chain tensioner. Simplest solution.

Allen

gbelcik · 04-16-2010, 08:16 AM

yeah the motor will be mounted on the swingarm

I like the tensioner idea... didnt even think about that. do you know a place to get one cheap... the only ones i can find online are 100$+

waynev · 04-16-2010, 08:48 AM

Since it looks like your handy you should be able to make one quite easily, bend a pc of 1/2" round rod into a C, weld a tube on the chassis that it can slide into and mount a spring to hold the tension, you can either make a wheel out of UHMW or buy one, here;s an example of a simple chain tensioner http://www.hyperracing.com/product.asp?prodid=08-600

gbelcik · 04-16-2010, 09:49 AM

hmm i think i found something
http://www.scooterpart.net/products.php?id=1242

worth the 16$ to not have to set the spring

appreciate the idea
greg

katoranger · 04-16-2010, 09:56 AM

That should work. It won't have to take up much slack since the engine moves with the axle.

Keep us posted on the project. I just got word on my kart frame. It may be available soon. I think the 110cc from Honzuma may have to power that project.

Allen

Weldangrind · 04-16-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbelcik

hmm i think i found something
http://www.scooterpart.net/products.php?id=1242

worth the 16$ to not have to set the spring

appreciate the idea
greg

That very tensioner was used on my son's 125 pit bike. The plastic wore out quickly. Make sure to buy a few spare rollers with it.

Rago · 04-16-2010, 01:15 PM

Definitely keeping an eye out on this project! I'm doing something similar.

gbelcik · 04-16-2010, 01:26 PM

Yeah its definately a project. I keep running into new issues hah. Tonight and tommorrow im going to work on mounting the engine... My big worry is getting the engine far enough forward so the chain clears the shifter. I really dont want to move the axle back further. But if i go too far forward i may get too close to the seat and i worry a bit about cooling. Im really trying to avoid a jackshaft Fun hah

katoranger · 04-16-2010, 01:52 PM

I think that some air scoops to help cool the engine would be a good idea.

Mounted to either side of the seat. Some HVAC ducting from home depot.

Allen

gbelcik · 04-16-2010, 02:08 PM

That was actually exactly what i was planning to do. Just mold some "ram air" funnels

gbelcik · 04-17-2010, 10:25 PM

well i got everything cut up and located for the mount but it looks like there is no avoiding adding a jackshaft with another couple sprockets to get to the drivetrain... has anyone ever messed with extending the driveshaft out to clear everything to go straight to the drivetrain? another thing, who sells sprockets for this engine... i would like to get a standard #40 sprocket for this thing... it would make getting to the drivetrain alot easier if i have to use a jackshaft

thanks
greg
[/img]

04-15-2010, 09:00 PM	#1
gbelcik Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6	Lifan powered gokart Hey guys... I had a quick question to pick your brains... i am building a suspension gokart with a 5spd lifan engine i pulled out of a motorcycle and i am currently stuck on the motor mount. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to make this motor adjustable so i can tighten up the chain to the axle. Appreciate the help Greg gtrail78624@gmail.com
	0

04-16-2010, 02:19 AM	#3
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Welcome! I'm not exactly sure how you're building your kart based on the photos, but I'd love to hear more. One way to maintain constant tension throughout the suspension travel is to mount the engine on the swingarm. It's been done before. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

04-16-2010, 08:15 AM	#5
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I would go with the chain tensioner. Simplest solution. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

04-16-2010, 09:56 AM	#9
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	That should work. It won't have to take up much slack since the engine moves with the axle. Keep us posted on the project. I just got word on my kart frame. It may be available soon. I think the 110cc from Honzuma may have to power that project. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

04-16-2010, 01:52 PM	#13
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I think that some air scoops to help cool the engine would be a good idea. Mounted to either side of the seat. Some HVAC ducting from home depot. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

04-15-2010, 10:28 PM	#2
waynev Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 1,097	Your best bet might be a good chain tensioner, you should be able to get within a link in the chain length and let the tensioner do the rest, if not you will have to make a mount for the motor and a plate on the chassis that it can slide on, then use an adjuster bolt to keep the motor in place.
	0

04-16-2010, 08:16 AM	#6
gbelcik Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6	yeah the motor will be mounted on the swingarm I like the tensioner idea... didnt even think about that. do you know a place to get one cheap... the only ones i can find online are 100$+
	0

04-16-2010, 08:48 AM	#7
waynev Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 1,097	Since it looks like your handy you should be able to make one quite easily, bend a pc of 1/2" round rod into a C, weld a tube on the chassis that it can slide into and mount a spring to hold the tension, you can either make a wheel out of UHMW or buy one, here;s an example of a simple chain tensioner http://www.hyperracing.com/product.asp?prodid=08-600
	0

04-16-2010, 09:49 AM	#8
gbelcik Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6	hmm i think i found something http://www.scooterpart.net/products.php?id=1242 worth the 16$ to not have to set the spring appreciate the idea greg
	0

04-16-2010, 01:15 PM	#11
Rago Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 80	Definitely keeping an eye out on this project! I'm doing something similar.
	0

04-16-2010, 01:26 PM	#12
gbelcik Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6	Yeah its definately a project. I keep running into new issues hah. Tonight and tommorrow im going to work on mounting the engine... My big worry is getting the engine far enough forward so the chain clears the shifter. I really dont want to move the axle back further. But if i go too far forward i may get too close to the seat and i worry a bit about cooling. Im really trying to avoid a jackshaft Fun hah
	0

04-16-2010, 02:08 PM	#14
gbelcik Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6	That was actually exactly what i was planning to do. Just mold some "ram air" funnels
	0

04-17-2010, 10:25 PM	#15
gbelcik Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6	well i got everything cut up and located for the mount but it looks like there is no avoiding adding a jackshaft with another couple sprockets to get to the drivetrain... has anyone ever messed with extending the driveshaft out to clear everything to go straight to the drivetrain? another thing, who sells sprockets for this engine... i would like to get a standard #40 sprocket for this thing... it would make getting to the drivetrain alot easier if i have to use a jackshaft thanks greg [/img]
	0