Alright so lately iv been thinking of some ideas for a go kart. iv been lookin around on craigs list and i see all kinds of old go kart frames for sale for around $50. iv also been lookin at motor cycle engines an i found a 600cc one for $200 so then i had the idea to put the two together and make a really fast go kart:)
one of my question was. what all do i need for the driveline? can i just take a chain and go straight from the engine shaft to the axle? i just want to know wut i should be lookin for.
im thinkin around $300-350 for the whole project. normal go karts are like 5hp and the cost triple that
noledroByrreK Member
Age : 30 Join date : 2011-01-14 Points : 5366 Posts : 252 Location : DFW Texas
just found a add on craigslist for a old honda rebel. i think i might buy it. it has a little bit smaller engine than i wanted but i should still be super fast
it is 100$. the add says the engine is bad but im thinkin for that price i can try get her runnin and if not i can sell it and get my money back.
it seems like the seller doesnt know much bout motorcycles so mabye theres not to many major problems
what do yall think?
Jordan Member
Age : 30 Join date : 2010-10-03 Points : 5348 Posts : 170 Location : Ontario Canada
youtube search davidsfarm go kart he made one with a 450cc bike engine (i think) anyway thats how i would build it. FYI his channel is shut down but the videos should still be up
noledroByrreK Member
Age : 30 Join date : 2011-01-14 Points : 5366 Posts : 252 Location : DFW Texas
If the chassis youre buying is complete- it shouldnt be too hard to adapt a different motor- altho you might need to move the seat or lengthen it to fit everything- if it doesnt have a one piece/ at least 1" axle and heavy duty pillow block berings - id upgrade those because a bigger motor will snap them for sure.
Ive been lucky with my tractors that ive gotten non running - lil work n cleaning they fire right up.
Thats one reason why i decided on making the wizard a go kart- its big enough for larger motors - plus i scored some free steel angle from work .
Nephew is also giving me a mini electric atv chassis that im gonna adapt a gas motor on- might just build a whole new frame.
noledroByrreK Member
Age : 30 Join date : 2011-01-14 Points : 5366 Posts : 252 Location : DFW Texas
it would be cheeper in the long run getting a whole bike - if everything works. It wouldnt have to be a huge bike either- even a minibike would work fine.
That kawasaki 90 i had when i was younger was awsome- with me on it it wasnt all that fast , but the motor was bulletproof - ran awsome, always started on 1st or second kick - just everything else wore out.....
noledroByrreK Member
Age : 30 Join date : 2011-01-14 Points : 5366 Posts : 252 Location : DFW Texas
yea im definitely lookin for a whole bike.. it would cost to much/not work as well without all the component an stuff to go with it.
i figured this build would be less work than the mower build.. mostly just a engine swap and i few other minor changes
i need to find i junkyard near me then i will be able to find one real cheap mabye even find a go cart there
ditto on the junkyard i have no clue on cc/hp relation(i know they really dont have a connection, but the larger the better), but back to the point, what about a harbor frieght motor, cheap, readily availible. also i know that a bike motor has benefits, just something to ponder.