Buying used gokart

[CoroTheCat]

Found this old go kart pretty cheap ~150$, (a bit hard to calculate with different currencies) looking to pick it up this Saturday, is there anything I should look out for?

 

[ultralight01]

It all depends on how much you're willing to fix!

Check the tires, the chain, see if there's sprocket damage, check if anything is bent, you know the drill with "buying things" in general. Still looks like a deal even if you have to replace some stuff.

Old karts are cheap to fix and FUN. Checking the steering and running the engine are my best recommendations. Just be sure you know how to do things like change the oil, etc.

Good Luck!

 

[Quad-tor32]

Would have loved to find a deal like that near me, been looking for a racing kart or kart designed for racing for a few months now and haven't found a good deal yet

 

[ultralight01]

Agreed!

 

[CoroTheCat]

Would have loved to find a deal like that near me, been looking for a racing kart or kart designed for racing for a few months now and haven't found a good deal yet

Its pretty rare finding something at a reasonable price where i live, so im pretty happy right now.

thanks for the help

 

[CoroTheCat]

So I picked it up today, the engine started with a bit of starting fluid, and it actually ran pretty well. I can se that the previous owners disconnected the governor arm, so im going to have to disassemble the engine to remove it completely.
There are some spots of rust here and there, but nothing major. one of the hubs had two broken studs, so im going to have to replace that. I can also hear that one of the bearings are a bit used, because its making a bit of noise.
but other than that the kart is actually in pretty good condition. I can already see after one ride that I need to move the seat back a bit, but it shouldn't be too hard.
The only annoying thing is that this kart is really low to the ground, like one inch of clearance, and the gearing is not set up for even the slightest bit of offroad. im actually a bit worried about the gearing, because I counted the teeth and its running a 5:1 ratio with 30cm (11.8 inch) tires. I could feel the clutch was a bit warm after the first run, and im not sure if I should change the gearing.
But im pretty happy about my purchase
I will upload some pictures soon

 

[CoroTheCat]

Here are some pictures
I am currently cleaning it, and moving the seat a bit backwards.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Looks like an off-road kart to me!!!!

I mean, it's to be expected, looks like a concession kart to me....and they never leave anything but really level, bump free tracks!

 

[CoroTheCat]

Looks like an off-road kart to me!!!!

I mean, it's to be expected, looks like a concession kart to me....and they never leave anything but really level, bump free tracks!

Well of course its made for the road, I was hoping that I could ride it on a gravel road, but its too low

And yes its a concession kart, its made buy a Danish company called Dino Kart, don't know the model, and I can't find a identification plate anywhere, buy hey I doesn't really matter. I'm just happy to have a kart

 

[itsid]

IIRC Dino concession karts are "last year"'s race karts (that are slightly out of spec sometimes) beefed up to withstand the abuse..
telltale sign: third and fourth bearing retainers and adjuastable camber (as for the race karts)

I think that's a great kart for that kind of money, especially since it comes with a reduction gearbox, that (even used) clocks in at about that price easily.

if it's straight and nothing cracked, it's just great and can be easily reverted to a "race chassis"
Oh, are those the original vintage Dino Wheels too?
Some of the nicest Kart rims (race kart that is) ever made IMHO..

'sid

 

[CoroTheCat]

IIRC Dino concession karts are "last year"'s race karts (that are slightly out of spec sometimes) beefed up to withstand the abuse..
telltale sign: third and fourth bearing retainers and adjuastable camber (as for the race karts)

I think that's a great kart for that kind of money, especially since it comes with a reduction gearbox, that (even used) clocks in at about that price easily.

if it's straight and nothing cracked, it's just great and can be easily reverted to a "race chassis"
Oh, are those the original vintage Dino Wheels too?
Some of the nicest Kart rims (race kart that is) ever made IMHO..

'sid

The kart looks straight, I had to grind off some welds that the previous owner made, but other than that its in pretty good condition.

The rear wheel rims have a sticker on them that says jet wheels, unfortunately one of the rims is a bit damaged, and both of them are a bit scratched and one has a small cracks in it.
I'm pretty happy about this kart
I will get some pictures of the rims soon.

 

[CoroTheCat]

Here are some pictures of the hubs, unfortunately one of them is damaged a bit.

 

[itsid]

ahh the Dino rims...
Too sad you don't have a full set of those
They're just beautiful..

'sid

 

[Mikegtrxu1]

IS that a genuine honda or a clone? Check spark, change fluids, give carby a good clean out, might need valves to be clearanced.

 

[CoroTheCat]

ahh the Dino rims...
Too sad you don't have a full set of those
They're just beautiful..

'sid

By full set do you mean front and rear?
I must admit that they are pretty sweet looking

IS that a genuine honda or a clone? Check spark, change fluids, give carby a good clean out, might need valves to be clearanced.

Its definitely a clone just look at it
Haven't changed the oil yet, but I will change it when I take the engine apart, and I will make sure that the carb is clean and the valve lash has been set properly.

 

[itsid]

yes, full set means front and rear, and they are indeed

There have been black Honda's out there even with starter shrouds like that.. and well the tank could've been changed later on in it's life,
so no way of telling from the pic

I wouldn't assume that to be an original honda myself; but there could still be a nice surprise waiting for you under the tank (i.e. a Honda label cast into the block)

Anyways, make sure to clean and change the oil of the gear reduction clutch as well;
if you want to be sure, check the discs as well;
but if you do, you'll likely need a new clutch-case gasket.

'sid

 

[ultralight01]

No cent. clutch? Tiny Sprocket? Very interesting. I'm still very new to race/street karts...

Looks like a good deal. You need to find a street with very little traffic and do some drifting. XD

 

[CoroTheCat]

yes, full set means front and rear, and they are indeed

There have been black Honda's out there even with starter shrouds like that.. and well the tank could've been changed later on in it's life,
so no way of telling from the pic

I wouldn't assume that to be an original honda myself; but there could still be a nice surprise waiting for you under the tank (i.e. a Honda label cast into the block)

Anyways, make sure to clean and change the oil of the gear reduction clutch as well;
if you want to be sure, check the discs as well;
but if you do, you'll likely need a new clutch-case gasket.

'sid

Well this sticker was on the engine, so I guess it is a clone with german sticker for some reason?

didn't expect it to be a Honda so its fine.

I will change the oil soon, I can see that the previous owner had the reduction gear box apart, because they used liquid gasket to seal it.

Thanks for the help, appreciate it