Identifying a Go Kart

marcusp

marcusp

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Edited to add: Marcusp, what other labels are on the kart besides “BOSS”?
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Absolutely nothing! The seat used to say something but I can't make anything remotely legible out of it. There's a general warning sticker on the side that is not useful. Even the engine had 0 markings other than a serial number that brought up no information and a part # for the head. I agree with your consensus that it's likely just a China kart.
 
Hellion

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marcusp said:
Do you think a stock 420 would be plenty for this or do you think I'd end up doing some modification?
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Pancho has a lot of valid points for the smaller 196-224cc engines in a vast sea of people who think “going big” is the only way. I guess we collectively think the 212cc Predator will run out of steam trying to move a heavy kart and two grown people up the side of a mountain but it is rather remarkable that he uses the 6-7hp engines on two seater karts. He’s got a few photos of his karts here, might hafta go find ‘em…

You do appear to have space limitations at the rear and a 420 is fairly huge. What’s with the ‘cage’ over the engine bent down like that? Not saying it's bent or damaged but it looks odd. That’s usually a flat, horizontal shelf for luggage, no joke. 🤭
 
marcusp

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Hellion said:
Pancho has a lot of valid points for the smaller 196-224cc engines in a vast sea of people who think “going big” is the only way. I guess we collectively think the 212cc Predator will run out of steam trying to move a heavy kart and two grown people up the side of a mountain but it is rather remarkable that he uses the 6-7hp engines on two seater karts. He’s got a few photos of his karts here, might hafta go find ‘em…

You do appear to have space limitations at the rear and a 420 is fairly huge. What’s with the ‘cage’ over the engine bent down like that? Not saying it's bent or damaged but it looks odd. That’s usually a flat, horizontal shelf for luggage, no joke. 🤭
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Yes, Pancho does have a good point! I'd love to look at his builds and see what I can learn from him, I'm not totally opposed to a built 212/24. I just want to make sure I only spend the money once lol. The smaller engines definitely have the perk of size and cheaper upgrade cost. Does anyone make a reliable electric start for these? Yes, the cage was bent. I didn't realize it initially but my buddy pointed that out and I bent it back straight yesterday. That definitely gave me some more room to rip the engine out 😂
 
Edwin Spangler

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Hellion said:
The only Road Boss karts I know of are these, a rather unremarkable rigid frame type.

Road Boss?

Hey Everyone, I have a Road Boss Go Kart...:huh: I need positive Identification. I have a friend who always lends a hand whenever needed. I wanted to repay the favor, so he had this old go kart sitting in his wood shop covered in saw dust. He will pay for the parts but I will overhaul the...
www.diygokarts.com

My daughter has odd tastes, and I need help. (Road Boss 450 XL Cobra 1)

So I got my kids (son is 5, daughter is 7) a small go-cart for a good price. Daughter wants a governor on it so it's slower. Son wants it to go faster because he "loves that it gives him a freaking heart attack when he slams the gas!". Told my daughter if we found another cheap one, we could get...
www.diygokarts.com

Tell us more about the OP’s kart, Edwin. I was thinking China kart with the brush guard removed, but if it’s a Kartco….
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I dont know much. A friend had that same (as far as I can remember from 30? yrs ago) kart before they got an Odyssey. I remember that flat steering bracket held a headlight. Had the same floor pan and angled side rails.

Maybe that floor pan sparked a memory that isnt really there??
 
marcusp

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A few photos of the back section now that I've removed the old engine. From what little I can see I don't think the axle is keyed the whole way so I assume the brake system and gear wouldn't be able to move. I'd have to get a different axle for a predator engine wouldn't I? iirc they all have the shaft on the left side of the engine whereas this gear is on the right. I could be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time I suppose😂. I don't see a problem with cutting out the luggage rack if a 420 wouldn't fit if that's the route I choose. Thoughts or questions so far?

Other random information is that I have 18" tires on the back, 16s on the front.
 

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marcusp

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Any recommendations on where to source a 40 series TC if I go the 420 route? Preferably cheaper than BMI's 350 dollar model :oops:
 
P

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Even if you could move the sprocket, it is way too small. If you go the Predator route, regardless of size, you will want a 60 tooth sprocket on the axle. Have you looked under the plastic cladding on the axle and confirmed that it is not keyed?
If not, than a new axle, hub, and 60 sprocket would be needed.
 
marcusp

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Denny said:
The jungle store!
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Best I see from the great world of shady packages has about 50 reviews and is almost scraping 4 stars.. what do yall run on your predator 420s? Do you just bite the bullet and get the ones that cost the same as the engine does off GPS or BMI?

panchothedog said:
Even if you could move the sprocket, it is way too small. If you go the Predator route, regardless of size, you will want a 60 tooth sprocket on the axle. Have you looked under the plastic cladding on the axle and confirmed that it is not keyed?
If not, than a new axle, hub, and 60 sprocket would be needed.
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True.. it is rather small. Appreciate ya pointing that out, I haven't made it that far in my thought process yet lol. I didn't have time today to look into it and see if I'm lucky enough for it to be keyed. I'm sure it's not and that'll be more money down the drain. 😂
 
Edwin Spangler

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marcusp said:
Best I see from the great world of shady packages has about 50 reviews and is almost scraping 4 stars.. what do yall run on your predator 420s? Do you just bite the bullet and get the ones that cost the same as the engine does off GPS or BMI?
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CVT can be generic but sometimes you will get a defect, just inspect whatever you get while its still in the return window. Belts are recommended to be Comet only.
 
Hellion

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marcusp said:
Any recommendations on where to source a 40 series TC if I go the 420 route? Preferably cheaper than BMI's 350 dollar model :oops:
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Doesn’t everyone else (normal folks) go immediately to Scamazon for everything? Frankly I am glad to see someone that doesn’t. You’re a wild man Marcus Pee. 😀
 
marcusp

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Hellion said:
Doesn’t everyone else (normal folks) go immediately to Scamazon for everything? Frankly I am glad to see someone that doesn’t. You’re a wild man Marcus Pee. 😀
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I have the mindset of only buying something once, especially when it's hundreds of dollars!! If I'm paying 200 dollars for a TC and still have to modify the heifer to get the engine plate to fit, figure out the right belt because they sent one too small, install a reverse wound spring, and then it still wants to engage at too low of an rpm because they're too dumb to steal someone else's design the right way? Frankly, i will be pissed. 😂 I'd rather spend a little more to get the proper version, or, not spend it at all and live without.
 
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