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Plan 05 / Go kart blueprint

Recluse

Classic racer / most popular

Featured in Popular Mechanics, the Recluse is a great all around kart with wonderful opportunities for customization. Designed to be stretched or shrunk to fit your needs, it produces a low weight, killer fast kart.

62 lb
6 hp
Most popular
Fig. 05 / Recluse Main view
Recluse yellow racing go kart, front three-quarter
Recluse yellow racing go kart, front three-quarter 01 / 06
Plate A / Chassis render Scale 1:8
Recluse chassis, clean CAD render
Specifications
Seats 1
Wheels 4
Suspension Rigid racing frame
Weight 62 lb
Chassis 1" #14 square
Motor 6 hp horizontal shaft
Transmission Centrifugal clutch
Brakes Disc
Steering Tie rods / pitman

One-time / lifetime access

Both packages include all seven plans. The $79 one adds the video build class.

Best value Plans & Video Class

Plans + class, only $20 more

$140$79Get plans + class →
Pro Plan Package

All seven go kart plans

$99$59Plans only →

Instant download · Thousands of builders · Refund on request

About

The Recluse go kart

SpiderCarts' most popular design. We released it 8 years ago and it remains one of our top sellers. The design is so easy to build it is silly.

Our duplicate parts method lets you make parts you are already familiar with instead of relearning for each one, and it is built from mostly one type of metal. Make one trip to the supply store and you are halfway there. With very small adjustments you can extend it to fit your body size.

Build-out highlights

What you are building

  • Duplicate parts method: fewer unique cuts to learn
  • Mostly one type of metal, so one trip to the supply store
  • Stretch or shrink the frame to fit your body size
  • Disc brakes and centrifugal clutch drive
  • 1" 14 gauge square tubing
  • Racing tie rods and ends, fully adjustable alignment and steering

What's in the plans

What the Recluse plans look like

These are real pages out of the Recluse plan set. Every tube is dimensioned, every part is numbered, and the welds are shown in the order you do them.

Six pages from the Recluse plan itself. Every kart gets the same treatment.

  1. Full spec sheet: 36 inch wheelbase, tire and wheel sizes, 6.0 hp engine, disc brakes P.01

    Full spec sheet: 36 inch wheelbase, tire and wheel sizes, 6.0 hp engine, disc brakes

  2. Exploded view showing every tube, plate and axle part laid out in build position P.02

    Exploded view showing every tube, plate and axle part laid out in build position

  3. Top and side views of the full frame with every tube called out by part number P.03

    Top and side views of the full frame with every tube called out by part number

  4. Front steering bracket drawn front, top and iso with exact hole size and placement P.04

    Front steering bracket drawn front, top and iso with exact hole size and placement

  5. Weld step: joining the base frame, sub-frame and roll bar with the checks that keep it square P.05

    Weld step: joining the base frame, sub-frame and roll bar with the checks that keep it square

  6. Six colour photos of a finished Recluse build, engine mounted and ready to drive P.06

    Six colour photos of a finished Recluse build, engine mounted and ready to drive

Sample pages

Free sample pages

Eight sample pages, free, straight out of a SpiderCarts plan set: the specification sheet, dimensioned part drawings, weld assembly steps and the parts list. Not the full plan - a real look at what you get. Enter your email and the download link shows up right here.

Your link appears here instantly. We will also send occasional build tips and discounts - unsubscribe any time, one click.

The rest of the lineup

The other six plans

Browse all plans
GrandDaddy chassis render

GrandDaddy

Two-seat / dual suspension

→ Arachnid chassis render

Arachnid

Single-seat / dual suspension

→ Scorpion chassis render

Scorpion

Three-wheeled / mono rear

→ Tarantula chassis render

Tarantula

Off-road / rear suspension

→ BlackWidow chassis render

BlackWidow

Beginner / most durable

→ Itzy Bitzy chassis render

Itzy Bitzy

Kids' kart / weekend build

→
Bonus PDF 19 pp
Beginner's Guide to Welding cover page

Also in the box

Extras

Every order comes with more than the seven kart plans.

Beginner's Guide to Welding
19 pp
A 19 page welding handbook. Safety, gear, settings charts, and step by step MIG and stick.
Two Minute Tek
Free
A library of short how-to build videos, free to everyone.
Itzy Bitzy kids' kart
Free
The free kids' mini go kart plan, included with every order.
Quick-Jack Shop Lift
23 pp
Plans for a foot-lever jack that lifts a kart off the shop floor and holds it at working height.
Go-Kart Speedometer
5 pp
Turn a bicycle computer into a kart speedometer. Parts, sensor mount, wiring and calibration.

Get this build

Get all seven plans

One payment, from $59. Every package includes all seven plans and lifetime downloads.

Best value / includes the video class 44% off

Recommended

Plans & Video Class

All seven plans plus the video class

Everything in the Pro Plan Package, plus the 12-lesson video class filmed on a real Recluse build.

  • Everything in the Pro Plan Package
  • 12-lesson video build class
  • Tools, metal and welding walkthroughs
  • Lifetime access and future updates

Save $61 / only $20 more than plans alone

$140$79Get plans + class

Plans only

40% off

Pro Plan Package

All seven go kart plans

Every plan we make, in one download. Print them at home and keep them for life.

  • Seven kart plans, ten printable PDFs
  • Parts lists, cut lists and materials
  • Dimensioned drawings and weld steps
  • Lifetime access

Save $40 / USD, lifetime

$99$59Get the plans