Thrustyjust Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 Call me mad,but as my son is now 8 months old,I believe I have about 6 months to build an electric mini westie!!!.I'm sure it can be done with a chain driven rear axled electric motor.I have decided on no suspension,as it won't go as fast as dads car.Has anyone else thought or did something like this?.I have discussed with a mate today and we may need things like kart front hubs etc.Does anyone know a supplier?My wife doesnt believe I will get it done,so the gauntlet is a swinging!!!!.The only real issue from now is the making of a nosecone and wheel arches on the back.Any ideas anyone? Right nurse,pass me my medication Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adhawkins Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 Sounds like an excellent project...would love to see the results! Good luck. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveD Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 somone was making these a while back ,i think they were somthing to do with locust not locost ,do a search cos they did all the fiberglass panels as a kit and you could buy a complete build manual to build it from scratch i remember looking at one for me boy at donnington and they looked quite good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taffy Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 Hi A magic idea. I would try and not use chain drive where kids are concerned (Safety etc). I think a Electric Golf Trolley drive system would work well the wheels would probably be ok as well. Company I use in Cannock, called Wheel Solutions do all sorts of specialised wheels for trolleys etc. If you are interested Ill get you the number and contact name. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steppenwolf Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 I want to build one of these too and was thinking of learning how to weld etc. to make a chassis but another way is to use MDF in box section form - then low and behold a company called BWE come onto the scene with their 'Grasshopper' and they do just that! I haven't contacted them ( grandchildren seem to be about 20 years off at the moment!! ) but here are their details:- BWE Sports Cars 13 Knowsley Street Barnsley Sourh Yorkshire S70 6ET The following company also do home built electric cars ( but nothing like a 'seven' ) but the drive bits from their range would probably also be suitable:- Toylander 01767 319080 www.toylanduk.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timd Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 Friend of mine finished building a mini cobra from scratch last year for his kids. He made a buck from foam and filler then took molds from that, from which he made the body. I can't remember if he made a welded steel chassis for it, or if that was wooden. It used a moped or scooter engine to get it's "go" ! Looked fantastic parked next to his fullsize one too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveD Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 thats it mr wolf grasshopper its sort of a locust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adhawkins Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 There's some information on the Grasshopper here. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 Check out the Autosport show at the NEC - I think its next weekend. They was loads of Kart stuff last year. It might be usefull to see if one of them could be modified. Good Luck..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrustyjust Posted January 3, 2004 Author Share Posted January 3, 2004 Blimey and I was expecting ridicule!!!.I have looked at the toylander site and that sort of gave me the idea of building a landy.Then a mate said why not do a westie.You have the dimensions to work on in the garage.I was thinking of the battery in the front.I am a cyclist and have spare a hydraulic disc brake system or three kicking around.I was going to make a tubular axle and weld a web to hold the disc onto the axle.I can get a BMX chainring and weld that on being they are a solid steel billet.The rear axle will rotate on a bearing each end inside a bearing carrier which will locate to the chassis.I will endeavour to make the chassis out of thin box ali,so as not to weigh a ton and to get that power to weight right,ha ha.I will paint it yellow like mine,so a bit of panel work will be ali,like the locost idea and other parts from glass fibre.As for interior,just a bench seat right across as there isn't a need for a transmission tunnel.A foot brake and a variable speed throttle( which looks expensive on the toylander site).There will be a reverse/forward knob on the dash,a headlight swith and the all important horn.Seems like a wild idea to begin with,but it is starting to piece together. Taffy,i think that the chain drive is going to be safe as I would put the drive motor up high up in the boot area.As for MDF.Me and wood work just don't mix.Even doing a dado rail in the house made me launch it into the drive in a way Rodger Black would be impressed!!!! cheers everyone!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stanton Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 One of the older Black Country members John Hedgecock made a similar unit for his Grandson several years ago - He scratch built it - Bostin job to I think there was a photo in a club magazine years back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Albert Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 John Village Automotive make them as a side line or you can save quite a bit and import one of these from Oz But neither would be as as making one yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldman Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 Thats cool Albert.SWB......Wife most impressed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 why dont you start with a go cart and spend your time panelling it up like a westfield, then all there's to do is convert to electric power to the sprocket. learn him young then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.c Posted January 4, 2004 Share Posted January 4, 2004 A few years back I built my son a good old fashioned wooden push yourself go-kart (you know , pushchair wheels etc) then about a year ago we fixed part of a golf trolley to the back and made it electric powered This year we have got hold of an old lawn mower and intend to build a basic motor powered kart. God luck with your project mate David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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