CycleKarts
Still trying to visualise the layout...
Still trying to visualise the layout of the rear wheel, motor & trans. I can see it in the abstract but the details are still turning my head inside out.
Comments
Mick Howe
2022-03-21 21:36
The vague idea I was trying to flesh out was along the lines of a pair of gears on the swing-arm pivot one side chain from motor and the other chain to wheel hub. That would take better engineering skill than I have and be quite bulky, unsuspended axle is much more compact and simpler. I'll just have to put a bit more padding into the seat.
Morgan appears to use a CV joint pivoting on the same plane as the swing-arm.
Probably when I have a kart built I'll be better able to see a solution.
Mick Percy
2022-03-21 21:36
Not sure how important the suspension is on a 3-wheeler and what impact it has on handling. Generally with 4 wheel cyclekart builds the rear suspension is omitted as being superfluous.
Not sure how Morgan did theirs but obviously a bit different with the motor in the rear. I'm guessing they must have had some kind of trailing arm setup.
Rear suspension could be as simple as mounting the entire engine + torque converter + wheel + axle on a subframe that pivots on the rear of the main chassis. Basically like a giant hinge in the chassis just forwards of the motor. Like a giant trailing arm that contains the motor too - much like a Vespa or Lambretta
Mick Howe
2022-03-21 21:36
Thanks, the picture is building, rear suspension might just have to wait for version 2, between Mick and yourself I can see the simpler solution.
Simon S Murray
2022-03-21 21:36
(Mainline)Mick - here's another photo, in case it helps the imagination. This is where I'm up to - working it out as I go - no plans. You can see how the base plate of the torque converter offers 12 different positions (not all of which may useable because parts of the engine could be fouled, eg, the tank). The black hatching marked on the base plate shows the strengthening ribs that I have to remove, to allow the chain to have a clear line from the output sprocket of the torque converter to my 60 tooth sprocket on the axle (plus I've taped up the bearing of the output shaft to stock crap going into it). Like Mick (I think?) I have yet to cut the keyways in my 25mm axle stock.
Simon : Have fun!
Mick Percy
2022-03-21 21:36
I struggled with this too. It'a s lot easier when you have the motor and torque converter and can lay it in the chassis. The Torque converter can actually be bolted on in a few different orientations too so you can have the axle forward or behind the engine.
This photo might help - https://cyclekarts.com.au/pages/brooklands-bentley/photos/298-img-9144
Also worth noting that here I've flipped the torque converter so that it faces backwards instead of forwards. It will actually get installed the other way around so that the engine is behind the axle. If you flick through the album there's a couple of other photos showing how the torque converter bolts up.
Mick Howe
2022-03-21 21:36
thanks, I'll keep at it
Simon S Murray
2022-03-21 21:36
If it's true that there's nothing new under the sun, then you may be able to find some illustrative pictures/videos/plans on the web. Good luck!
Log in to leave a comment.