Rear Swing Arm (Chain Driven)

[ChillItsGill]

So I've been watching these TK (Trophy Kart) videos, and looking at the galleries, and at first I was convinced the rear suspension is similar to that of an ATV, a swing-arm. It appears to be chain driven, making a swing-arm really the only possible type of rear suspension (that I can think of), as any minor articulation would throw the chain.

However, looking at the specifications listed on their website, the rear is a "tri-link system," and some of the videos show some articulation in the rear.

Does anyone have a TK, or have any idea what type of suspension they run? Belt driven? Chain driven?

Heres some pics:
http://www.dirtmaninc.com/images/DSC_01521_large.gif
http://www.dirtmaninc.com/images/car_1_large.jpg

And the video with articulation (~40 seconds you really can see it):
http://www.dirtmaninc.com/videos/trophy ... st_two.wmv

[renegadespec1]

I'm no trophy kart expert but what I think you are seeing is swingarm flex not articulation...I build swing arm cars and you will have some flex you can get most of it out with propper triangulation and some thought...My last 750 has cantalevered rear swing arm...it hasn't been tested yet but soon...

[renegadespec1]

Here's some pix of heavily abused swing arm set ups...I don't know if this helps you out or not

[ChillItsGill]

Wow, thats exactly what I want to do with my build. Does the chain ever throw? It seems like the flex in the swing arm would be enough articulation to pop the chain.

[Bullnerd]

I think the trophy kart is two separate "halves" connected by a "sway bar" that is inside the cross tube.

[Chase044]

i have seen a few diffrent model trophy karts. They all have articulation in the rear. the one your looking at im not sure how they dont throw the chain. But i have seen other models and i understand how they work. i will draw a picture up to show....


sorry the inner links are drawn wrong. they should be going strait like the outter link to provide no camber through the suspension motion.

[LiveWire]

Is the engine mounted to the swing arm? That would prevent throwing the chain with articualtion although it would add a lot of unsprung weight.

[Chase044]

ok i did another one.. this one incorporates a diff between the 2 sides if one chooses to run a diff which would put a lot of sprung weight on the right side. so a solid axle may be better.
but this was a design i was thinking of doing to get massive travel out of a rear end since rear trailing arm cars are limited to cv angle this one would be able to get tons of travel and still use a cv type drive system.






heres an updated picture. i realized a diff would not work that way so i made it live axle type.
there would probly be a lot of plunge, but that can be taken care of with a plunging axle. a light sway bar could be added to keep the wheels from arcticulating too much. that would help with the plunge. like lets say a 10 inch diffrence between sides would give minimal plunge but would still give a lot of arcticulation.

[nutnbolt2002]

I still can't see how you get articulation out of that setup?

[Chase044]

well the axle shaft should have CVs on each end but i forgot to put those in the drawing.