Back in the Saddle Again! Winged Outlaw Kart

[slidewayz]

It's been a long while since I've posted here on DIYGK. Hopefully a few remember me from the 2015 build off and my Alumiflyer . My son and I, for years have tossed around the notion of racing Northern California Outlaw Winged Karts. I had considered building a couple of chassis from scratch, but the engine cost scared me off. Well my son found a decent deal on a quality used kart and all the owners spares, tools and a trailer. So after helping him one weekend in June I found an older kart that had an older engine that I could afford. My son tested and picked up the kart and then I met him at his house, 2 hours from me, and took delivery of my poor little haggard beast. The kart was in pretty rough shape, it was "rode hard and put away wet" for sure. So I loaded up, headed back and began the evaluation, and resurrection. The chassis is a 2022 Ignite 1.25"x.090" wall. The cage is LPR tig welded very nice piece, but the year is unknown. The engine is a stock Yamaha YZ450F 4 stroke motorcycle engine with its original 4 speed transmission. Most of the bolt on parts are by QRC of Red Bluff, California, where this style of kart got its start at an indoor track. There is outdoor track in the same area called Cycleland Speedway (where I will be racing). These tracks also have become famous for giving the start to a few famous NASCAR drivers, Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick. It also has a Kirkey seat and Hoosier tires. For starters I will post up a picture of my son and I's finished karts. And then over the next few days I will tell the story of my kart's resurrection with photos and some details. Mine is #21m, his is #23.

Great to say hi! Louie



Delete or move if deemed necessary.

 

[Denny]

Welcome back. Seen you on the H.A.M.B. With the Andregg tribute build. Been wondering how the alumikart has held up?

 

[slidewayz]

So in July I took delivery. Got to my son's and he was washing it up. It looked like Go-kart Central in his driveway!!!

 

[slidewayz]

Welcome back. Seen you on the H.A.M.B. With the Andregg tribute build. Been wondering how the alumikart has held up?

Thank you! The Alumaflyer still part of the family. Leaning against the back wall of the garage. Over the winter I'm going to clean it up and take a pic of it and the Outlaw Kart.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

I am happy for you that you can share this experience with your son, but I am mostly happy for me that you are willing to share your experiences with these machines on this forum. Can't wait to dig in.

 

[slidewayz]

So tonight's installment. The first unload at home of the kart. Snap a few "BEFORE" pics, peel all the decals off, show it to the local motorcycle shop so they can all scratch their heads and tell me I'm on my own 🫤. Order a new steering wheel, set of tires, 4 postal scales and new seat belts. Assess the entire kart and its old skool Yamaha Thumper. Photographic evidence to follow...lol. Thanks ya'll.

 

[slidewayz]

Continued!
The new smaller/flatter steering wheel, tires, 5 point safety harness and postal scales arrived. So I threw the kart back together real quick and established an "as bought" baseline on its weight and corner weights. We have a 475# minimum weight rule and as bought with my 190# butt in the seat it weighed 481#. The aluminum wing sideboards and the carbon fiber body panels were really in quite bad shape, so I decided to build new sideboards, sail panel and purchase new cheaper fiberglass body panels.

And....of course! I sat down and did a preliminary design sketch!!!

...till next time...

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Just my opinion, make the checkerboard more horizontal. Looks faster.....

Very cool. Im jealous.

 

[slidewayz]

I'm back. Apologies for the delay, I've been dealing with some health issues. Back to the story. I set out to layout and fab the two new wing sideboards, the sail panel and a new floorboard. Temp installed them. I also bought a Harbor Freight rolling cart to build a tool cart from. And then the score of all scores. I happened to find a display helmet on clearance at Summit Racing! A brand new black Simpson Bandit, for, get this, 125 bucks!!! I've wanted one since I was 14 years old in 1980 lol!!. Here are a few pics.





I also fabbed up a filler/dash panel that goes above the radiator and fills the space under the nose fairing. I put my own twist on it, making it curved and engine turned.

....more to come....

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

I dig the helmet. Thats BA.

 

[slidewayz]

Speaking of the helmet....I just had to....

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

You scored with that helmet, and nice pinstriping to boot.

 

[slidewayz]

Hello again. Still dealing with some health stuff that's slowed me down some (word to the wise, listen to your body and have your PSA test done if 50 years or older). Anyway to continue my little journey. I mounted up the new tires and painted my wheels gold and added red anodized beadlocks. I found this great dark metallic red enamel, painted a test panel then painted all my new panels and seat. Threw everything together for a quick photo op. I then started laying out and painting the graphics. I also started painting the numbers. Till next time.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Whats the wing adjuster do? Angle of attack? I didn't realize it was an option. Thought it was just set and race.

 

[slidewayz]

Whats the wing adjuster do? Angle of attack? I didn't realize it was an option. Thought it was just set and race.

It adjusts both angle of attack and fore and aft position. As the wing slides aft it also increases angle of attack and vice versa.

 

[landuse]

Welcome back!! It is good to see you again

 

[Grizzlymi]

Awesome work man! These karts are works of art.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

It adjusts both angle of attack and fore and aft position. As the wing slides aft it also increases angle of attack and vice versa.

Thats really slick. Added down force and rearward CoG.
I assume that comes in handy as the track dries.

 

[slidewayz]

Welcome back!! It is good to see you again

Thank you! You as well!

Awesome work man! These karts are works of art.

Thanks!! It's been fun adding all the details!

Thats really slick. Added down force and rearward CoG.
I assume that comes in handy as the track dries.

%!

 

[slidewayz]

Well, when we last left, our wanna-be hero was getting close to crunch time for the debut race ‍♂. I plugged away on painting the graphics and lettering (I started painting racecars when I was 14 in 1980) so no "wrap" here. I also had this hairbrain scheme for a seat cover, so I drug out the upholstery machine and stitched it up. Assembled everything for the final time and drug the lil racer to a local park for some glamour shots....just in case...