New member building a Gixxer kart

[3-Nation]

Hi all.

Names Matt. I've been an active duty Marine for 15 years. My job is wrenching on fighter jet engines.

About 10 years ago, I discovered motorcycles and became highly addicted to speed and dragging my knee at 100+ mph.

I have a few race bikes that I only ride on the track. I gave up street riding 2 years ago. I've lost a few friends to motorcycle crashes and the race track is a much safer environment.

I've acquired a mountain of parts, engines, tools and wrench time.

I've always wanted a shifter kart so when I found a frame on Craig's list I couldn't pass it up.

I had a spare 750cc GSXR engine collecting dust in my garage and figured what the hell... Might as well try.

The frame is a 99' tony kart designed for a 125/150 cc engine so I had to cut and modify.

Here's what the frame looked like when I brought it home...

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/27/ahady5yt.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/27/ygu7eteh.jpg

Here's what I've done so far.

Cut the frame and extended about 15" in the back. Reinforced the back end with cross members. Fabricated engine mounts. And welded mounts and the back of the frame together.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/27/uba9a6y5.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/27/aqepevur.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/27/5ebasudu.jpg

Here's the engine moc up with the mounts:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/27/yje8e2e7.jpg


And after finishing the re enforcement welding.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/27/pe4umu5e.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/27/ugegequg.jpg


I understand that this may seem weird to some of you hard core kart racers but I've always wanted a toy like this. There's no way I'm going to be able to control or have any traction with the current set up so I'm open to suggestions. Your opinions are appreciated.

Cheers!

Matt

 

[OzFab]

Hi Matt, welcome to DIY Go Karts...

Just to clear something up for you, your first post didn't appear because you added pics to it which automatically threw it into our spam filter; now that I've approved your first post & merged the two threads, you can use the Edit button on the lower right corner of your posts to edit if you wish

Now, onto the kart:

This is what happens when you strap a big road bike engine to a little go kart...

 

[3-Nation]

Hi Matt, welcome to DIY Go Karts...

Just to clear something up for you, your first post didn't appear because you added pics to it which automatically threw it into our spam filter; now that I've approved your first post & merged the two threads, you can use the Edit button on the lower right corner of your posts to edit if you wish

Now, onto the kart:

This is what happens when you strap a big road bike engine to a little go kart...

Thanks for fixing the pics for me.

And yup! That vid is exactly what I'm going for. Just a toy. If I'm some how able to control it, it will just be the icing on the cake. I won't be driving this thing on the street either. I have talked to the owner of the track I go to and he said once the bikes are off, he will let me turn a few laps

 

[OzFab]

Well then, as long as you know what you're in for, good luck with the build & stay safe, wear a helmet (& a race suit, gloves, boots... )

Your fab work looks great so far, just be aware that stretching the frame will throw out the steering geometry...

 

[3-Nation]

Well then, as long as you know what you're in for, good luck with the build & stay safe, wear a helmet (& a race suit, gloves, boots... )

Your fab work looks great so far, just be aware that stretching the frame will throw out the steering geometry...

I have a full set of leather that I ride my bike in. I'm set

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/27/y2abazys.jpg

/\ that's a shot from my last track day. I'll be wearing that same set of gear when I drive this thing.



I understand about the geometry. I also had a question. I noticed that there looks like what is a torsion bar??? In the middle if the frame? I'm not sure the terminology so please correct me if I'm wrong. But it's a small piece of softer metal that is adjustable. Is that so the frame can flex in the turns? And with how beefy this engine and frame now are, I'm assuming that I will want the stiffest setting?

 

[landuse]

I understand about the geometry. I also had a question. I noticed that there looks like what is a torsion bar??? In the middle if the frame? I'm not sure the terminology so please correct me if I'm wrong. But it's a small piece of softer metal that is adjustable. Is that so the frame can flex in the turns? And with how beefy this engine and frame now are, I'm assuming that I will want the stiffest setting?

Yes, that is a torsion bar.

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[3-Nation]

Thanks mate.

 

[mckutzy]

Well thats looking good. Im glad you thinking safety..
I just hope your planning to stay OFF the road..
The above link, buddy keeps getting his rig impounded by the 5-0. Not good, in any country.
I just fear stuff like that happening, will get back to us here.
So stay safe, and try to stay legal.
Look forward to your posts.

 

[3-Nation]

Well thats looking good. Im glad you thinking safety..

I just hope your planning to stay OFF the road..

The above link, buddy keeps getting his rig impounded by the 5-0. Not good, in any country.

I just fear stuff like that happening, will get back to us here.

So stay safe, and try to stay legal.

Look forward to your posts.

I agree with you. I defiantly don't want it to be impounded. And I would catch hell from the USMC if I was involved with any shenanigans like this on public roads. Not worth ending my career over a toy.

I've crashed my bike at the track a few times going well over 100mph and got up dusted my self off with no injury. I'm a firm believer in the race track. So that where this kart will be driven.

As far as updates today...

I'm welding the last cross member on the frame and plan on installing the headers and exhaust tomorrow. I'll toss some more pics up when the engine is moc'ed up.

 

[mckutzy]

What you got for welding equipment? That pipe/tubing isnt galvanized is it(just kinda looks that way)?

 

[3-Nation]

I used mild steel. (Same as the frame I think). And tig welds around everything.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Hi all.



The frame is a 99' tony kart ...so I had to cut and extend the frame.....
Cheers!

Matt

Jeeze- I would have thought you would have shortened it....How many feet long is it now....

Welcome to the forum.

 

[3-Nation]

Didn't measure before I cut. But I added 15" in the back to compensate for the motor and headers not touching the seat.

 

[bshinn]

Unless you want to get hurt, I'd cut that mild steel out & weld in some 4130 CrMo. I wouldn't trust 100+ HP with a frame made with some glorified electrical conduit.

Not trying to bust your chops but the original chassis is 4130 for a reason, and it only had to deal with about half the HP & even less torque!

 

[3-Nation]

Unless you want to get hurt, I'd cut that mild steel out & weld in some 4130 CrMo. I wouldn't trust 100+ HP with a frame made with some glorified electrical conduit.

Noted. And thanks for the heads up. I'm very good with engines but new to working with metal

 

[bshinn]

BTW...

Thanks for your service.....some of us care!

 

[3-Nation]

BTW...

Thanks for your service.....some of us care!

I appreciate that! Thanks for the support.

 

[bshinn]

Where are you riding in SoCal, Willow Springs?

I'm an old East Cost road racer. Ran a GSXR 750 back in the day in the AMA/CCS series.

 

[3-Nation]

Where are you riding in SoCal, Willow Springs?

I'm an old East Cost road racer. Ran a GSXR 750 back in the day in the AMA/CCS series.

Nice.

I ride a 750 now.
My race team races CVMA at chuckwalla valley raceway. Couple white plates and 5 yellow plates on our team.

 

[Joe-405]

I would consider putting in a x brace where you stretched it. It will help handling and also add strength where your gonna have your backside a few inches off the ground !

Otherwise excellent work.