Hola from Spain

[Siddley]

Hola amigos...my name is Sid, I'm English but I live in Spain nowadays.

I have been interested in go karts for...probably about 18 hours

We recently moved and it turns out there is a kart circuit about 20 minutes drive from our new place. Went there last night to check it out, and it's quite a big track. The prices for rental karts are a bit steep, something like 18 euros for ten minutes, but if you bring your own kart then you can use the circuit all day for 30 euros...this immediately caused a lightbulb to go on above my head

 

[OzFab]

Welcome to the forum Sid

I have been interested in go karts for...probably about 18 hours

So, a long time then

What are you planning?

 

[souperman000]

Welcome, sounds like you've got a kart in your future.

 

[Siddley]

I've got a couple of plans in mind. A mate of mine in the UK has a go kart that he's never used. He might sell it to me, or he might not - he's a hoarder and collects vehicles that never seem to get driven or ridden. Like everything from that go kart through a Benelli 6 cylinder bike to an Aston Martin....
He owes me a big favour for rebuilding the V-8 engine in the Aston, but I think his hoarding instinct might prove too strong.

So failing that I've got a Yamaha DT125R field bike which has a good engine - the full power version with a powervalve - and a worn out chassis ( every suspension bush is siezed or knackered and the rims are bent ) That could be an engine donor.

I thought about building my own chassis but looking on Ebay UK I can buy one for about £20 so I'm not sure it's worth the time and effort. But kudos to people who do...

I reckon my next step should be to talk to the people who operate the circuit and find out what kind of karts are allowed there, I know anything you bring yourself has to go through some kind of scrutineering because there was a sign in the pits saying that. I don't want to build something I can't use there.

 

[souperman000]

I reckon my next step should be to talk to the people who operate the circuit and find out what kind of karts are allowed there, I know anything you bring yourself has to go through some kind of scrutineering because there was a sign in the pits saying that. I don't want to build something I can't use there.

That's a perfect idea.

Whenever you get started, remember to make a build thread so we can all follow along!

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum

 

[itsid]

Welcome dear fellow european

'sid ©

 

[Siddley]

Wie gehts 'sid ?

I've been thinking a bit more about using that DT125R engine and hit what I think is a snag. If I have got gears then probably I'll need to heel and toe for downshifts ?
I'd find that really difficult to do as I wrecked my legs in a bike crash some years ago and my right ankle doesn't rotate enough to make it possible....

So single speed, centrifugal clutch instead ?

 

[landuse]

Wie gehts 'sid ?

I've been thinking a bit more about using that DT125R engine and hit what I think is a snag. If I have got gears then probably I'll need to heel and toe for downshifts ?
I'd find that really difficult to do as I wrecked my legs in a bike crash some years ago and my right ankle doesn't rotate enough to make it possible....

So single speed, centrifugal clutch instead ?

Most people fabricate a handle to shift the gears. You do not need a pedal to do the shifting. Have a look at what was done in these builds

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16417
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15338

You might have to read through both threads to get a clearer picture

 

[Siddley]

OK, thanks ! - it's not the gearchange though that worries me though - it's having to blip the throttle for a downshift while braking at the same time.
I know I'll have big problems with that because I'm into computer racing sims ( realistic setup using a Logitech wheel and three pedals ) and have to 'cheat' by enabling auto-blip on downshifts to stop locking the rear wheels.

Maybe I'm making an issue of something that doesn't really matter ?
I'm being cautious though, because choice of engine seems pretty fundamental to the design and my lack of budget means I have to get it right ( or nearly right ) first time.

 

[itsid]

Danke gut

Well, you can use a dual cable setup on those levers to disengage the throttle with one cable while shifting with the other cable, and as long as you do not intend to win any serious racing derby you should be good to go.
You also could easily swtch to thumb-gas as you find it on some ATVs or quads.


'sid