New from Middle TN

[A3M0N]

Hey everyone!

I need something to wrench on, and a car project is too expensive for our budget. I just started watching the Cars and Cameras YouTube channel and one of the guys said exactly that. Go karts can scratch that mechanical itch. My son isn't too interested in mechanical things, but he may be after he rides a fun go kart. I'm not trying to say he needs to be at all, we all have different interests, but I like to expose him and my daughter to all kinds of hobbies. My daughter does like some mechanical projects.

I'm planning to find a few pieces at a time, like a used frame first get it cleaned up. Then get a motor, on so on so forth. My biggest question right now is where to ride at? I clearly remember as a kid people riding go karts on my neighborhood streets, but that was back in the 80's. Do I need to find a track that has public days? Our house is on a 1/2 acre with a pretty big open area, but I do like my grass, so that may not be a good solution.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to learning from y'all.

 

[Denny]

Heck with the grass! Tear it up! Tell your son no work no ride. One ride and he’ll be hooked. Most of us here are older with some young kids mixed in. The C&C guys are going to get someone hurt. They are idiots. If we see you doing something unsafe we will try to stop you. Can you weld? If not you will! This is the most fun you can have with your clothes on! Tell your son that! Welcome aboard!!

 

[A3M0N]

Thanks! No, I can't weld. I'd like to learn, but don't think I can even justify buying a Harbor Freight welder right now. I have a pretty good set of hand tools though and am comfortable working with them.

Heck with the grass! Tear it up!

Ha! I guess I could just keep the "infield" maintained...

Yeah, the C&C guys have done some pretty sketchy stuff!

 

[Denny]

You are probably going to want to sooner than later. Being able to weld will make your life soo much easier. And it can be used for other projects also.

 

[panchothedog]

Depending on traffic patterns and the kids age the streets can be dangerous.
in my situation traffic is light and two of my grandsons already have their drivers license. The karts are modified and pretty fast so after about 15 minutes of riding the cops always show up. After this happened for the 3rd time I figured I better not push it and bought a trailer. Now we go out to the desert.
a lot less convienent but no worries about cars either. Better all the way around.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Where in Middle TN are you? I grew up in Nashville.

 

[FlyFrog]

Hey everyone!

I need something to wrench on, and a car project is too expensive for our budget. I just started watching the Cars and Cameras YouTube channel and one of the guys said exactly that. Go karts can scratch that mechanical itch. My son isn't too interested in mechanical things, but he may be after he rides a fun go kart. I'm not trying to say he needs to be at all, we all have different interests, but I like to expose him and my daughter to all kinds of hobbies. My daughter does like some mechanical projects.

I'm planning to find a few pieces at a time, like a used frame first get it cleaned up. Then get a motor, on so on so forth. My biggest question right now is where to ride at? I clearly remember as a kid people riding go karts on my neighborhood streets, but that was back in the 80's. Do I need to find a track that has public days? Our house is on a 1/2 acre with a pretty big open area, but I do like my grass, so that may not be a good solution.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to learning from y'all.

the kids age, maturity and willingness to listen will play big factors on how you are going to want to build the cart, you need a welder to build a cart thats strong enough to take any beating, i have a cheap harbor freight welder, im a newer welder, dont know what im doing and the welds hold carts together, you dont have to be a good welder just a good grinder.

 

[A3M0N]

the kids age, maturity and willingness to listen

Well, this is probably more for me that the kids, lol! I'm 41 and have always wanted a project car, my family never had the money for a go kart when I was a kid. So, here am I wanting to repair/build a go kart. Maybe even buy old frames and flip them for fun and make just enough to pay for tools and such.

Where in Middle TN are you? I grew up in Nashville.

I'm in White House. We've been in TN for about two years now.

 

[Denny]

Frog is just a kid himself. And you can gain the skills for cars working on these.

 

[A3M0N]

Frog is just a kid himself. And you can gain the skills for cars working on these.

Agreed. I did most of the work on my Jeep before I traded it in. It developed an interesting sound in 1st gear from the transmission, it was time to let it go, I had it for 13 years. I also did a good deal of work on my wife's Chevy Traverse, we both hated that thing. Now we have two newer vehicles that aren't as fun to work on, but I still do the maintenace on them. I was also an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force, not the same as cars, but familiar with tools.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Well, this is probably more for me that the kids, lol! I'm 41 and have always wanted a project car, my family never had the money for a go kart when I was a kid. So, here am I wanting to repair/build a go kart. Maybe even buy old frames and flip them for fun and make just enough to pay for tools and such.



I'm in White House. We've been in TN for about two years now.

White House used to be the country. The White House I knew you could ride anything, anywhere. Used to go up to Portland for strawberries and frog legs.

 

[A3M0N]

White House used to be the country. The White House I knew you could ride anything, anywhere. Used to go up to Portland for strawberries and frog legs.

It's still kinda ruralish. When we bought our house, this area was the fastest growing, and I believe still is one of the fastest growing areas. There are at least three new neighborhoods going up near us. I bet we could ride here and not get in trouble, we have neighbor kids who ride mini SXS around and other toys.