How to Create a Go Kart With a Lawn Mower Engine

There's no better feeling in the world than being behind the wheel of your own vehicle. For decades, children have been able to get that feeling at an early age with their own go-kart. As with any car, the right engine can make or break your driving experience. When building your go-kart, a lawn mower engine provides the most power for your kart.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Find simple wooden go-kart plans from the Complete Kartbuilding Website. Construct a go-kart according to the plans and add a large pulley to the center of the rear axle.

2. Choose a horizontal lawn mower engine for the go-kart. Attach the lawn mower engine to the rear of the go-kart above the bushing/bearing assembly.

3. Add a small pulley to the horizontal engine. Attach the engine pulley to the go-kart's rear wheel pulley using a drive belt.

4. Connect bicycle brakes to the go-kart according to the directions in the separate brake plans on the Complete Kartbuilding Website.

Tips & Warnings

• Ninety percent of lawn mowers have vertical engines, but go-karts work best with horizontal engines. The 2-stroke engine is the only lawn mower engine that can switch from vertical to horizontal.
• Always wear helmet when you race a go-kart.
• Never ride a go-kart before you check the wear and tear on the brakes.

Resources

• Find free go-kart plans at the Complete Kartbuilding Website
• See more go-kart plans at Things2Make
• Get brake plans from the Complete Kartbuilding Website.