Author Topic: Austin Seven Beaufort Special  (Read 424 times)

Austin Seven Beaufort Special
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2026 is coming. It’s time to make resolutions.
Starting to build a cyclekart is one of them.
As a model, I’m thinking of the Austin Seven Beaufort Special.
Not exactly a race car, but it looks good to me.
I’ve been looking for parts for a while now and I’m noticing that Belgium isn’t the promised land for this.
Hopefully, I can get some tips from colleagues in the Netherlands or France.
Or maybe I’ll have to cross the Channel sometime.
I hope to be able to post regularly about the build.
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« Last Edit: 21 Dec 25, 09:06 pm by Rallydaf »

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Re: Austin Seven Beaufort Special
« Reply #1 on: »
Good luck with your build.

Do you know of any cyclekarts in the Netherlands?  Germany has a thriving cyclekart club, so they may have some events reasonably close to you.

Re: Austin Seven Beaufort Special
« Reply #2 on: »
I looked it up, and it's true that there's more information available in Germany than in the Netherlands.
I already mentioned that finding the parts you use, is here on the mainland not so easy.
Cyclekart Germany · cyclekart-germany.de
puts me on the right track to finding parts here.
Thanks for that.
Now, a few more holidays and then I can start gathering the necessary materials.

Re: Austin Seven Beaufort Special
« Reply #3 on: »
Meanwhile, I've already gathered some parts. Engine, torque converter, pit bike wheels, tires, leaf springs, and some unnecessary gauges for the look. I've already spent £560  :-[. What's the maximum a cycle kart should cost now?
I've also enrolled in an evening course in turning and milling. I hope to be able to make some things there.
I've seen that Gemini, among others, sells rear axles. Now I'm wondering if anyone makes these axles themselves. I think it would be a fun thing to do in the evening classes. Hopefully, someone has some tips on this.
To be continued.

Re: Austin Seven Beaufort Special
« Reply #4 on: »
The original "price limit" which has been loosely observed, was $1750 to build in 2001 dollars.
So approx $3200 today or £2370.
You have some leeway yet  ;D

JimR
... You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead. Stan Laurel

Re: Austin Seven Beaufort Special
« Reply #5 on: »
Before starting on the frame, I made a sketch to see if the frame would be horizontal after mounting the axles.
At first glance, this seems to be correct.
To be sure, I'll first install the transverse front suspension and front axle.
Then I can play around with the position of the rear axle.
According to the current drawing, these bearings will be mounted under the frame.

Re: Austin Seven Beaufort Special
« Reply #6 on: »
I am still working on the design on paper.
Since the door of my workshop has a width of 100 cm, I am forced to set the front and rear axles at a width of 98 cm.
This results in a track width of 83 cm.
Is this a normal width or too narrow?
Widening the door is not an option  ;)

Re: Austin Seven Beaufort Special
« Reply #7 on: »
Hi Rallydaf. I wouldn’t worry about the rear track , a narrower back end helps with under steer. Could you build the front to normal specs, and remove front wheels steering arms/yolks to get through doorway & reassemble on the other side? It’s not that much work & would give you a better handling kart.

Good luck Nick