Gocart without store bought clutch system
 

I'm trying to save a few bucks and build a home brewed clutch rather than buying a converter.. Problem is it smokes the belt every time i try using it. looking for any screw ups ya'lo may see in the design

This is just a guess but it doesnt seem like the front pulley would squeeze the belt.

On top of that I would guess you're not getting the ratio right, the front pulley on a stock set up would increase the ratio as the pulley pulls together.

Front doesn't sqeeze together you are correct, been hearing a lot the rear pulley needs swapped at the least

You need the correct driven clutch and correct belt

Credit for thinking outside the box but ya that setup wont fly. You'll have no way to make it disengage. So when the motor is running its a,ways going to want to go forward.

Disengage isn't as much of an issue..

So changed my pulley setup and everything works fine with the wheels off the ground. It tries to move but doesn't seem to be right still any ideas now?

With the diameter of your driver ( engine ) pulley you're basically in high gear compared to if it had the original variator . Only way you'd pull off what your trying to do would be to run a much smaller pulley . It'd be a slow motion machine / driven pulley won't open / no ratio change . I'd buy a TAV II type variator and proper length belt , plenty of info on the web to calculate the proper belt . Otherwise I think you're spinning your wheels , ( Or in your case NOT ) :rofl:

So decided the harbor freight motor with home brewed clutch idea was just a bad thought scrapped the idea, sold the motor bought an 82 honda 450 to replace it, 6 speed hondamatic recently rebuilt

Credit for thinking outside the box but ya that setup wont fly. You'll have no way to make it disengage. So when the motor is running its a,ways going to want to go forward.