Inadequate cv axles?

[JagerDanger]

The Extreme Baja Karts look pretty cool. However, getting a CVT that works well is not cheap. I've been pricing them out for a few months and they run $300+ per pulley and finding a belt isn't easy. Which is why I'm wanting to go with a motorcycle engine. I have looked at buying a complete snowmobile and pulley the engine and CVT out of that to do this, however they are not common here in Nebraska, I would have to ask my family in Minnesota to help look.

Those who have run a CV axle rear end, how narrow of a spool can you realistically make from hub to hub for the axles to bolt up to? If I cannot make the rear track width to be less than 60", I may just sell the CV axles I have and go with a swingarm rear end and just deal with the lack of ground clearance. It looks like to make the axle tube for a swingarm is mainly just pipe with bearings on the inside.

[makenzie71]

If you're going to bail on the axles then do dual swingarms and ground clearance isn't an issue. I had something like 22" of centerline ground clearance on my GK13.

[JagerDanger]

When I get more parts and a garage/shop to build this thing in, I'll know if I am going to keep the axles or if I'm going a different route. That picture is a bit blurry, but it looks like the brake calipers are on the inside of the sprockets, then there's some sort of rounded box hooked to the trailing arms?

[makenzie71]

The hubs on those swingarms are eccentric...you rotate them to adjust chain tension. The calibers are inboard of the sprockets.

[makenzie71]

this might help

[JagerDanger]

The background words on it make it difficult at first, but looking at it closely it makes sense. I did look up an ecentric wheel hub and that also kind of explained more on how to do it a bit. Would be easier than a spring tensioner with a sprocket.

[makenzie71]

oooh these are from roketa's site...didn't think they'd still be up







Same type of drive setup on a full size buggy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCfjahnGgDg

[makenzie71]

The background words on it make it difficult at first, but looking at it closely it makes sense. I did look up an ecentric wheel hub and that also kind of explained more on how to do it a bit. Would be easier than a spring tensioner with a sprocket.

Absolutely it is better than a tensioner. I hate tensioners...one more thing to fail. The GK13 driveline is one of the very few things China got right with their minibuggies.

[JagerDanger]

I cannot tell by the pictures, but the chain appears to be around the #420 and #428 size rather than #520 or #530 chain used on bikes and quads.

[makenzie71]

530