Author Topic: Vale Special.  (Read 1513 times)

Moogie38 (Noel)

  • Forum user
  • Posts: 275
  • Location: Northern Ireland

Badges: (View All)
CKGB Member
Re: My parts quest has begun for the Vale Special.
« Reply #15 on: 24 Sep 22, 05:44 pm »
I've been working at the Vale all day today and seen to have very little to show for my efforts,  just a couple of brackets. 
Not sure where the time went. 🥺
Did get something nice in the post, a nice new Vale badge for the front of the grill. Not cheap but really nicely made.

Facebook: Cyclekarts Ireland.

Moogie38 (Noel)

  • Forum user
  • Posts: 275
  • Location: Northern Ireland

Badges: (View All)
CKGB Member
Re: My parts quest has begun for the Vale Special.
« Reply #16 on: 24 Sep 22, 05:48 pm »
Brackets are made from bits of steel i have lying around,  nothing fancy,  maybe I should get the wife out to give me a hand. She is good at making something out of nothing ! 😁

Facebook: Cyclekarts Ireland.

Moogie38 (Noel)

  • Forum user
  • Posts: 275
  • Location: Northern Ireland

Badges: (View All)
CKGB Member
Re: My parts quest has begun for the Vale Special.
« Reply #17 on: 28 Sep 22, 08:13 pm »
Grill was a bit more work to make than I had expected,  so many angles.
Don't think I would be capable of making this in metal,  probably will have to be made in fiberglass.
Did find a good chrome spray paint so should be able to make it look the part.

Can't beat a bit of CAD to get the body shape correct.

Facebook: Cyclekarts Ireland.

Moogie38 (Noel)

  • Forum user
  • Posts: 275
  • Location: Northern Ireland

Badges: (View All)
CKGB Member
Re: My parts quest has begun for the Vale Special.
« Reply #18 on: 08 Oct 22, 09:56 pm »
Had a go at making a tube bender today.  It's not the prettiest thing in the world as its made from scrap I've lying about the garage but it works. Made the dash hoop from 16mm box section. Looks OK for my fist attempt.

Facebook: Cyclekarts Ireland.

Pip83

  • Forum user
  • Posts: 49
  • Location: Devon

Badges: (View All)
CKGB Member
Re: My parts quest has begun for the Vale Special.
« Reply #19 on: 09 Oct 22, 04:21 pm »
Impressive symmetry on the dash hoop, seems pretty good for a first go!

Moogie38 (Noel)

  • Forum user
  • Posts: 275
  • Location: Northern Ireland

Badges: (View All)
CKGB Member
Re: Vale Special.
« Reply #20 on: 25 Oct 22, 06:36 pm »
At last I have received my parts from the engineering shop. Hopefully I can make some progress now.
Rear hubs are based on the Renegade Cyclekarts design but changed to suit my needs.
Also got the rear axle threaded and a 6mm key cut.
Facebook: Cyclekarts Ireland.

Tinworm

  • Forum user
  • Posts: 348
  • Location: Suffolk

Badges: (View All)
Re: My parts quest has begun for the Vale Special.
« Reply #21 on: 31 Oct 22, 10:11 pm »
I know that I have only just started to build my first cyclekart but I am already planning for my next.


I know how you feel. Next time I want to design something more straightforward and get it done quicker. In the time I have been at mine Kelly Wood has built 4 karts, I think! Some people are prolific...and it is so inspiring. There are so many it would be great to do.

For someone who has only just started, you have already done loads, Noel!
I don't want to bore you all with the details, here. But if you are interested, have a look at my blog https://peteskart.blogspot.com/

-Peter

Moogie38 (Noel)

  • Forum user
  • Posts: 275
  • Location: Northern Ireland

Badges: (View All)
CKGB Member
Re: Vale Special.
« Reply #22 on: 31 Oct 22, 11:05 pm »
Thanks, Tinworm.
Sorry for the messy garage,  I really do need to gut it out.
Cyclekart now stands on its own wheels, also got the hoops made and fitted to support the body.
Next big purchase will be an engine and sprocket. Anyone had any experience with the Lifan LF200E engines, are they worth buying?

Facebook: Cyclekarts Ireland.

Jimr1999

  • Forum user
  • Posts: 626
  • Location: Cumbria

Badges: (View All)
CKGB Committee CKGB Member
Re: Vale Special.
« Reply #23 on: 01 Nov 22, 06:44 am »
Morning Noel.
I have a Lifan lf210 in mine and have had it to bits to get rid of the governor and add stronger valve springs. It seems a reasonable engine and pulls well after a few mods. I did find a spare rocker nut floating free in the engine when I had it to bits so not all good. The one I have is fairly well appointed and has valve retaining collets rather than the slotted washer type which should be more secure. The GX tuning store uses Lifan so they must be O.K. at the very least.
 As you are in striking distance of the Irish border, perhaps a tillotson motor would be available to you without the shipping costs we endure over on this side of the sea??? https://tillotson.ie/shop/tpp-212ce-horizontal-engine/
Several of them are in use in Karts over here and I am sure someone will tell you of their experience. It could save a lot of hassle getting it to what you want, which inevitably voids any warranty.
Hope this helps, Jim
... You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead.

StefanN

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 1051
  • Location: Bagshot, Surrey, United Kingdom
  • CKGB Committee: Yes

Badges: (View All)
CKGB Committee CKGB Member
Re: Vale Special.
« Reply #24 on: 01 Nov 22, 06:48 am »
Great progress on your build.

If you go to the home page of the forum and use the search box (top right hand corner), you’ll find quite a few mentions of Lifans.

RhysN

  • Forum user
  • Posts: 1090
  • Location: Tamworth

Badges: (View All)
CKGB Member
Re: Vale Special.
« Reply #25 on: 01 Nov 22, 07:23 am »
I used many of the Lifans in a series of "things" (nothing like cyclekarts) that I created for Fairground rides. Never had any problems. After a genuine Honda, would be my first choice.
We must avoid torturing our brains with false problems, it occupies but it can annoy. In jest!

Moogie38 (Noel)

  • Forum user
  • Posts: 275
  • Location: Northern Ireland

Badges: (View All)
CKGB Member
Re: Vale Special.
« Reply #26 on: 01 Nov 22, 02:08 pm »
Thanks everyone for the replies. 
Strange how I can get an engine delivered from England cheaper that one from a 100 miles down the road. The joys of living in Northern Ireland  !
Would like a Honda but a Lifan will have to do for now, maybe get one for my next build.
Facebook: Cyclekarts Ireland.

Moogie38 (Noel)

  • Forum user
  • Posts: 275
  • Location: Northern Ireland

Badges: (View All)
CKGB Member
Re: Vale Special.
« Reply #27 on: 11 Nov 22, 08:29 pm »
The Lifan arrived today !! now I can finalise the cross members etc.
Getting angle in the morning so I can make a start to the body work.
Facebook: Cyclekarts Ireland.

Moogie38 (Noel)

  • Forum user
  • Posts: 275
  • Location: Northern Ireland

Badges: (View All)
CKGB Member
Re: Vale Special.
« Reply #28 on: 15 Jan 23, 08:27 pm »
Back at it, finally! 
Made a little progress this weekend with the steering and an engine mount.
Waiting for a rod end to get the steering column finished.
Had to lengthen the wheelbase slightly to get the engine sitting where I wanted it, low and mid engined.
Facebook: Cyclekarts Ireland.

Jimr1999

  • Forum user
  • Posts: 626
  • Location: Cumbria

Badges: (View All)
CKGB Committee CKGB Member
Re: Vale Special.
« Reply #29 on: 15 Jan 23, 08:41 pm »
Looks like progress Noel, soon be on the track!
... You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead.